We all ate the meal that Mom prepared, which was steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans. The green beans were cooked with bacon, which was the way my mother had always cooked them. I'd loved them since I was a kid, and normally I would have been practically shoving them down my throat, but that night, I was tense and nervous, so my appetite was almost entirely absent. I took little bites instead.

Our dinner was polite, but little beyond that. After the initial shock of my bringing a boy to dinner, my siblings acted the same as always. My mother was quieter than usual, but polite nonetheless, and she made an effort to include Josh in our conversations. She asked about school and my job at the record store, and asked Josh about his school and work life as well.

My father rarely spoke, except to ask my sister to pass the salt.

When it was time to go, after a fine dessert of chocolate pie, Josh and I said our goodbyes. Mom walked us to the door, and gave me a hug. "We'll see you soon, alright?"

"Mhm." I didn't feel much like talking, so I kept my response simple. Our hug ended, and Josh took my hand again, calming me down. He shook Mom's hand with his other. "It was good to meet you, Kelly."

My mother's smile changed. It almost looked genuine, and it gave me hope that Josh was growing on her. "Likewise."

As Josh and I headed out the door and down the sidewalk, my mother stood in the doorway, watching us go.  Josh opened my car door for me, which made me blush and whisper a quiet 'thank you'. (A/N: We all need a gentleman like Josh in our lives tho) As Josh got into his side of the car, my mother called out to me. "Tyler?"

I rolled down the window while Josh put the key in the ignition. "Yeah?"

She paused. "I love you. Look after yourself, alright?"

I let a smile flicker across my face. "I love you too, Mom. I will."

She waved as Josh and I drove off into the dark.

____

Art by Pikawrification