“Oh, your father got the door?” my mother entered the living room, questioning.
I nodded. “He said you weren’t expe?”
“Look who decided to join us,” my father’s voice rang out, surprise in his tone.
I pivoted to see who stopped by and my eyes widened and then narrowed as I turned to my mother, who was already walking over to the new guest. On instinct my arm went around Angela’s waist, pulling her into me.
“Son, don’t be rude, say hello,” my mother urged me.
“Hey.” I nodded toward the woman standing by my father.
“Eric, I didn’t know you were here,” Lisa stated.
“It’s my father’s birthday,” I retorted dryly. Lisa is the one ex of mine who my parents met. We grew up together and dated for a few years after college. Once I decided to make the career change to a firefighter, she?like my parents?was extremely disappointed, and practically begged me to reconsider. Not too long after, we parted ways. Another thing my mother has yet to get over.
“Well, I didn’t know if you’d be working or something.” Lisa’s dark eyes went to Angela, assessing her. “Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
“No.”
“Eric,” Angela admonished, her hand pressed against my abdomen.
“Angela, this is Lisa. Lisa, Angela,” I begrudgingly introduced.
“Nice to meet you.” Angela stuck out her hand.
Lisa hesitated, her gaze flickering toward my mother before she gave a limp handshake to Angela. It was then I knew my mother was conspiring with Lisa.
“Dinner’s ready!” my mom called out. “Eric, help your grandmother to the kitchen,” she ordered.
“I can help,” Angela jumped in.
“No. Eric’s got a handle on it,” my mother cut in, rather abruptly.
I looked at her, tilting my head, silently asking what that was all about.
“You know how your grandmother doesn’t take to new people too well,” she explained before turning and heading back to the kitchen area. “Lisa, follow me please.”
Watching the two women traipse down the hallway, I knew I wasn’t going to enjoy the rest of the evening.
I helped my grandmother out of her chair and held her by one arm as she gripped her wooden cane in the other. We slowly made our way down the hall into the dining space. My father, like always, sat at the head of the long table. Moments later, my mother and Lisa emerged from the kitchen, placing plates and dishes at the center of the table. When finished, my mother sat at the opposite end waiting for everyone to sit. After I helped my grandmother to her seat, I went to hold the chair out for Angela.
“Thank you.” She smiled up at me.
“Eric, be a gentleman and do the same for Lisa,” my mother ordered.
I stood erect, gaping at my mother as if she’d fallen ill. “Lisa isn’t my date.”
My mother’s mouth widened, and she was about to say something when Lisa finally spoke up.
“It’s all right, Mrs. Kim.” She went around the table and sat directly across from me, to my grandmother’s left.
When I felt Angela’s hand stroking my arm comfortingly, I had the biggest urge to lean in and kiss her. Just as I started to bend down, I heard my name called.
“Eric, that’s a little inappropriate for the table, don’t you think?”
The sharpness of my mother’s voice had me looking at her sideways. I opened my mouth, but Angela beat me to it.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Kim.”
