Chapter 15 #2
‘Because they’re old-fashioned. They grew up during a time when people got married and then had kids.
They expected me to do the same. I don’t want them knowing I hooked up with you at a wedding and haven’t seen you in months.
I was going to tell them we’ve been dating this whole time.
’ I pause. ‘And maybe part of last year.’
Jason laughs. ‘You’re kidding, right? This is some kind of joke?’
‘It’s not a joke. I need you to do this.’ I clutch his arm. ‘I’m begging you to. If you knew my parents, you’d understand.’
‘I’m sure they know things have changed since they were our age. People have kids outside of marriage all the time.’
‘Yes, I know, but it’s not what they wanted for their only daughter. Jason, you said you’d do anything if I went to your brother’s wedding. I did my part of the deal. I’m asking you to do yours.’
He goes past me to the living room, rubbing his jaw. ‘So what happens when you leave at the end of the summer?’
‘I’ll tell them we broke up. I’ll say we tried to make it work but it didn’t.’
He shakes his head. ‘I don’t know, Mia. I don’t like this. I think you should just tell them the truth.’
‘And break their hearts?’ I walk over to him. ‘Jason, I’ve seen how much you love your parents. If you knew something would hurt them and disappoint them, but there was a way to avoid all that, wouldn’t you do it?’
‘Maybe. But I’d be more likely to tell them the truth.’
‘Think about that house you bought with Brody. You said you didn’t tell your parents you helped your brother buy it because you didn’t want them finding out he couldn’t buy it on his own. Because you knew it would upset them to know he was in a lot of debt. You were protecting them.’
He sighs. ‘Okay, yeah, but it’s not the same as making up some fake engagement.’
‘It’s not that different. I’m trying to protect my parents because I know how they’d feel if they knew the truth.’
He looks down and doesn’t say anything.
My phone dings with a text. ‘My mom says they’ll meet me there in a half hour. I’m going to go finish getting ready, then pack up.’
‘You’re leaving?’ Jason looks up. ‘You’re going back to Madison?’
I nod. ‘After breakfast. My parents want me to stay and spend the week with them but it’s too risky. I’d end up running into your family and then I’d have to tell my parents everything. I’m just going to go with my original plan of telling them I’m pregnant right before they leave.’
‘What are you going to tell them about the father?’
‘I haven’t decided, but I’ll figure it out.’ I go back to the bathroom to dry my hair and do my makeup. Then I go into the bedroom and pack up my things. I take my suitcase out to the living room and see Jason sitting on the couch.
‘Bye, Jason.’ I walk to the door.
‘Wait.’ He jumps up. ‘I’ll walk you out.’
‘You don’t have to.’ I don’t want him to because I’m pretty sure I’ll burst into tears when I get past the door. I really thought he’d do this for me. But he won’t, and now I have to tell my parents I’m leaving and can’t spend the week with them.
Jason goes with me to my car. He puts my suitcase in the trunk, but doesn’t close it.
‘Jason, I need to hurry. I’m going to be late.’
He closes the trunk and walks up to me. ‘What would I tell my family? If we did this?’
‘You don’t have to tell them anything. My parents don’t live here, and as long as we keep them away from your parents this week, they never have to know.’
‘What if your parents want to meet mine?’
I take a moment to think. ‘We could tell them we haven’t told your parents yet. We could say we just got engaged and that you wanted to wait to tell them about the baby.’
‘They might still want to meet them.’
‘Then we’ll say they’re sick and aren’t up to entertaining.’
‘This is never going to work.’
‘My parents aren’t going to be here that long.
Their hotel is here, but during the day they’ll be driving to other small towns.
They’re only planning to spend a day here.
And on Friday, they’re going to Madison.
They sent me their itinerary. They’ve got every day already planned.
There’s very little chance they’ll run into your parents. ’
He checks his watch. ‘I need to clean up. I’ll meet you there.’
‘Really? You’ll really do this?’
He shrugs. ‘I owe you. I have to pay you back.’
‘Thank you!’ I hug him, then get in the car. ‘I’ll see you soon!’
Driving there, I get nervous, still not confident in my acting skills. And I’m not sure if Jason’s a good actor. But there’s no turning back now. We’re doing this.
When I get to the restaurant, I wait in the car and get out my phone to text my mom.
Someone taps on my window. ‘Mia!’
I look up and see my mom there, a huge smile on her narrow face. She’s lost weight the past couple years, worrying about my dad. She’s almost too thin now. It makes her look older.
‘Mom!’ I get out of the car and give her a hug. ‘Where’s Dad?’
‘In the restaurant. He thought you might be waiting in there.’
My mom looks me up and down. ‘You look good, honey.’
‘Thanks! Let’s go find Dad.’
We go into the restaurant and I see my dad sitting at one of the tables. He waves us over as he slowly gets up from his chair. He looks the same as he did at Christmas, which is good. I thought he might’ve lost weight after the hip surgery.
‘Hey, Dad.’ I give him a hug. ‘How’s the new hip?’
‘Good enough that I walked in here without a cane.’
My mom huffs. ‘I told him to use it, but you know how your father is. He never listens to me.’
The waitress comes by as we take our seats. ‘Can I get you some coffee? Juice?’
We give her our drink order.
‘Oh, and one more person is coming,’ I say.
She nods and walks off.
‘Someone’s joining us?’ my mom asks.
‘Yes.’ I smile. ‘I’ll explain when he gets here.’
‘He?’ My mom looks at my dad. ‘I think Mia might be courting someone.’
Courting. If Jason heard that, he’d get what I mean when I say they’re old-fashioned.
‘The boy lives here?’ my dad says in a loud voice. ‘Why would you be seeing someone who lives an hour away?’
My mom pats his hand. ‘Quiet down. She said she’ll explain when he gets here.’
‘How was your flight?’ I ask, knowing that topic can fill at least 20 minutes. My parents can take something as simple as an airline trip and talk about it forever.
They’re just finishing up telling me about the lady who was seated next to them when Jason arrives. He’s all cleaned up and looks extremely handsome in a pair of dark jeans and a light blue dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up. And he wore a nice pair of brown leather shoes.
‘You made it,’ I say, smiling at him.
He smiles back, then smiles at my parents. ‘Hi, I’m Jason Kanfield.’
He used his last name. That’s good. My parents like it when people introduce themselves with their full name.
‘Walter Daniels,’ my dad says, rising up to shake Jason’s hand.
‘And I’m Harriott,’ my mom says, shaking Jason’s hand. ‘Mia’s mother.’
‘It’s nice to meet you.’ Jason sits down beside me, giving me a look like he’s not sure what to do next.
‘I was waiting until you got here to tell my parents about you,’ I say.
My mom’s brows rise. ‘And what is it you’d like us to know?’
I smile at Jason, then look back at my parents.
‘Jason and I are dating. We have been since last fall. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to get your hopes up.
’ I laugh a little. ‘You two always think I’ll end up marrying whoever I date so I thought it’d be better if I waited until Jason and I became more serious. ’
He puts his arm around me and I scoot closer to him.
‘So you two are serious?’ my mom asks.
‘We are,’ Jason says.
‘I don’t understand,’ my dad says. ‘How does this work with you living here and her living in Madison?’
‘We’ve made it work,’ I say, gazing lovingly at Jason. ‘When you really love someone you find a way.’
‘Walter, did you hear that?’ my mom says. ‘Our daughter’s in love!’
My mom’s beaming, she’s so excited. As for my dad?
His brows are furrowed and he’s eyeing Jason like he’s going to have to prove he’s good enough for me.
I knew my dad would react that way. He’s very protective of me.
But I’m confident Jason can win him over.
He won me over the first night I met him.
‘Mom. Dad. I know you might think this is soon,’ I say, ‘but like you always told me, when you know, you know. And Jason and I know we’re right for each other.’
My mom gasps. ‘Mia, are you . . .’ She waits for me to say it.
Jason beats me to it. ‘Mia and I are engaged.’