Ten
Beck
“Is the table set? Did you use the fine china? What about the meal? You didn't burn the cookies, did you? What if she gets lost? I should have picked her up, it's her first time coming here. I should….”
“Oh, for heaven's sake, you are being so dramatic,” I hear my mother laugh through my panic.
I’ve been pacing back and forth in the kitchen of my home while my mother looks on, amused at my nerves, but I can't help it. This night has to go absolutely perfect. I’ve already been too close to losing her once. If that were to happen again…
“Beck, you have to calm down. Everything is going to be fine. I’m sure she's even more nervous than you are,” myy mom tells me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.
“What if she hates it here? She could leave again, or what if she gets too nervous? You can't ask a million questions, okay? We have to make sure…”
“BECK!” my mom shouts to get my attention. Automatically, I straighten and shut up, looking at her. No one, and I mean no one, can ignore the mom voice. Well, they don't if they're smart. “That's better. Now, like I was saying. She’s probably just as nervous, actually probably more so. Do you realize she's never had parents? She's not going to know what to do with meeting the rents?”
I chuckle at the slang my mom uses, and my shoulders finally release, and I relax.
“You're right. I’m being selfish, aren't I? Here I am, worried about me, and she's probably in the car, freaking out.” I laugh again, but it finally clicks when my mom raises one brow. “Oh, shit!”
I hear her laughing as I rush to the front door, look out the small window at the top, and curse again as I realize Frankie's van is, in fact, already in the driveway, and inside is my girl, currently freaking the hell out. Smiling, I pull open the door before she has the time to turn the van back on and turn around.
“Don't you even think about running Schnooks. I’ve got your number now!” I yell as I jog over to her driver's side door and wrench it open.
“I didn't have anything to wear. Is this okay? What do you wear to meet your boyfriend's parents for the first time? Wait, we are boyfriend and girlfriend, right? I know we never really labeled it and… shit, I sound like you rambling on and on.” that makes me throw my head back and roar with laughter.
“I’ll tell you a secret. I was just doing this same thing to my mom in the kitchen not three minutes ago. She got tired of it and ran me out.” I laugh along with her as I help her down from the van. When she stands tall and I get my first good look at her outfit, I can't help but breathe out, “Wow.”
“You look absolutely beautiful, Schnooks. Fuck, how lucky am I huh?” I ask more to myself, but her giggle tells me it wasn't so quiet. Oh well.
“You clean up pretty well, too, Beck,” she says, standing on her tiptoes and kissing me softly on the cheek. As my smile widens further and further, I watch her raise her finger and poke my dimples. I smile at her obsession, then start to lean down to kiss her, but a flash of movement by the front window makes me sigh before pulling back.
“We should probably get back in there. My family is way too excited to meet my girlfriend .” I emphasize the word, making sure she knows where we stand. Girlfriend, though, seems so small when talking about your soulmate. I don't tell her this… yet. Let her meet the family first and see if she's ready to run.
“Are you ready? I promise they are going to love you. No need to be nervous,” I say hurriedly,p trying to make her less nervous. From her fidgeting with her shirt, I don't think I'm very successful.
“Let's do this,” she says, pulling her shoulders back and giving me a bright smile and a small nod. I walk through the door and lead her to the dining room. The table is set, and my whole family stands around the table, all but Grace, who is smiling from her seat.
“Everyone, this is my Schnookums, Frankie. Schnooks, this is everyone,” I say, smiling as I hear her groan at my nickname.
“Lord, son, do you really call this girl Schnookums?” my dad says, chuckling as he reaches out his hand. “Frankie, it's so nice to finally meet you. Sorry about this one.” He motions his head to me, and Frankie laughs softly.
“We’ve heard so much about you, sweetie. It's so amazing to finally meet you,” Mom says, walking around to Frankie and pulling her into a warm hug. I let go of Frankie's hand, and I can see her wide eyes. After a minute, I’m about to save her, but she relaxes and hugs my mom back. A small smile plays on her face, and I think this might be something she needs at the moment.
“I’m Grace! Wow, are you pretty! And where did you get that outfit?” Grace pipes up, staring at Frankie as if she's ethereal. I feel that. Smiling at Grace, I give her a wink as Frankie clears her throat.
“Oh, umm Hi! It's nice to meet you as well. I’ve heard a lot about you. Your brother thinks the world of you. And Uhh, thank you. I actually made it myself,” Frankie says nervously.
“Wow! Could you make me an outfit?”
“Grace,” Mom admonitions
“Oh, that's okay! I would absolutely love to make you one. Maybe you can be one of my models. Alina has let me put some of my designs up in her parents' thrift store, and she wants some images for the online store,” Frankie says, making Grace's entire face light up.
Frankie looks at my mom and dad before wincing, “That is, if it's okay with your parents.”
“I don't think we could stop her if we tried. Thank you so much for that offer, sweetheart. I'm sure we will take you up on it. I’ll be buying the design, of course, and maybe I can even talk you into designing something for an old woman?” My mom jokes with Frankie, causing her to laugh and relax even further as we take our seats around the table.
“I can definitely make something for all ages and sizes, though old woman is the furthest brand from what you are. You would fit perfectly in the elegant prime of her life stage.”
“Oh, you are too sweet,” Mom says, placing her hand on top of Frankie's and squeezing.
The dinner goes along like this for the rest of the night. Mom and Grace are absolutely enraptured with everything about Frankie, and they steal her attention the whole night. It is a memory I will keep with me for all time. Now I understand why Dad could just sit there and watch Mom move, talk, clean, and, hell, just eat. Because as my girl sits around the table with my family, talking animatedly, I swear I could watch this scene for eternity.
“That was amazing, Mrs. Anders. Thank you so much.”
“You are more than welcome, sweetheart. Hopefully, it entices you to come back.” Mom smiles softly as she stands and starts to gather the dishes.
“Oh, I can help with that.” Frankie rushes to stand and help, even though Mom protests, arguing the guest shouldn't be cleaning. “It's the least I could do.”
As Mom and Frankie make their way to the kitchen, I stare at the swinging door, waiting for her to return. Grace makes her way to the living room to rest, and I can't help but think that tonight was a major success.
“I can see it all in your eyes, son. You're completely gone for this girl. Let's have a little chat,” my dad speaks up, pulling my attention to him. I can't help the smile that takes over my face as I stand from the table and follow him out to his shop in the back.
“I’ve never met anyone like her dad. Never met someone who feels so important, like I can't focus. She has my head in the clouds. Every day with her is a gift I never want to stop getting.” I pour everything out for him. I’ve always had a close relationship with my family. With Grace and her diagnoses, we’ve made it a point to never take anything for granted, including each other. I know I can talk to my parents about anything, and there's no judgment there, but I need my dad now more than ever.
“How did you finally break mom of the past? Of the trauma she went through in foster care?” I ask. To my surprise, my dad throws his head back and laughs. When he looks at me, I draw my eyebrows down in confusion. That was a serious ass question.
“The fact that you think I could break your mother of anything just shows you have a long way to go, my boy. There is nothing to break in your girl, just like there was nothing for me to break in your mother. Foster care may have been hell for the both of them, but look how strong it made them. You know your mother takes no, excuse my language, shit from anyone, and after meeting your Frankie, I would have to say she's much the same. Bet she even gave you a run for your money, huh?” He chuckles and shakes his head before finishing. “Their past is nothing for you to break them of, Beck… but it is something you can help heal them from.”
“You're right,” I say as the realization hits me. Frankie isn't broken and never has been. She just needs someone at her back. “What do I do?”
“You hold her while she heals. You stand tall and sturdy, but remain gentle. Never give her a reason to doubt you. You have to show her your heart, Beck. Every square inch of it, the good, the bad, and the soft. Don't be afraid to be emotional with her. Show her it's okay to cry. Be strong and steady, my boy. That's the best advice I can give you.”
As I listen to his words, his advice, I vow to always uphold his words. Strong and Steady, for Frankie, I can do anything.
“Now, let's go take a look at your girl's home. Make sure everything’s tuned up and ready for the road.”