Chapter 35
Juliana
Church ends sooner than I want it to. I enjoyed the service and it helped me relax but towards the end, I grew nervous again. Throughout the service, people kept glancing back at us. Most of them send us small smiles. I try to keep my head ducked down as the organ music plays and everyone stands up to mingle before going about their day, the knots in my stomach return.
“Here comes your grandmother,” Kurt says quietly to me before he stands up to greet her. I stand up beside him. “Hi, how are you?” Kurt gives her a hug and then steps aside so she can get to me.
“Hi, Gram.” I lean in and give her a hug.
“How are you two doing? Can’t say I was surprised by the news. I always thought the two of you would find your way to each other. You two were such great friends when you were little.” Gram clutches my hand in hers and reaches for one of Kurt’s hands as well. She smiles up at the both of us. “I’m so excited for lunch today.” Gram beams up at us, looking back and forth at us and landing on me, smiling bigger.
“We’re excited too, Grams.” I smile back at her, a little suspicious. I look up at Kurt and he shrugs. I want to ask what’s going on but then Mrs. and Mr. Michaels come over to us.
“Hi!” Mrs. Michaels greets us all, pulling each of us into a hug. “How are you doing? Y’all ready for lunch?” Mrs. Michaels hooks her arm through mine and pulls me away from Kurt. I look back at him and he’s watching me while talking to his dad. Gram matches our steps and my mom falls in line behind us. “Juliana, I am so excited y’all are able to join us for lunch today. I know the engagement party was a bit much so we are grateful to have this time to sit down with just our families to celebrate and enjoy this beautiful day.”
“Thank you for the invitation to lunch,” I say then offer a compliment because it was great. “And thank you for throwing the engagement party for us. It was incredible.”
“Oh, it was no problem, sweetie. I love any reason to throw a party and this was a pretty special reason.” Mrs. Michaels squeezes my shoulders and gives me a big smile then she looks over at Gram and my mother. “Should the girls all drive over together?”
“Oh! That sounds like fun!” Gram claps her hands excitedly then excuses herself to go find my grandad.
“Sure, that sounds good.” My mom agrees then she turns to go off to talk to my dad and let him know as well.
“Kurt!” Mrs. Michaels calls out and I turn to see Kurt walking with his dad and my dad. My mother stays beside Mrs. Michaels and me while the three men walk over to us.
“Hi, Daddy.” I wrap my arms around my dad and give him a big hug.
“Hey, Juli, how are you?” My dad keeps his arm around me while we stand in a group talking.
“The girls have decided that we will all ride over to the restaurant together.” My mother tells my dad and he nods his head.
“You all have fun, don’t bombard Juliana with too many questions. I’ll see you guys in a few minutes.” My dad smiles at me and then gives my mom a kiss before going to their car.
Kurt pulls me aside when his mom starts informing his dad of the plans. I guess Kurt’s dad is riding with Kurt and Mrs. Michaels will be driving the girls in their car.
“Hey, are you going to be alright?” Kurt smiles at me, a sort of teasing smile. I bite my tongue to keep from saying something sassy but I give him a look that makes him laugh. “Yeah, you’ll be fine. We’re going to Flanagins. It’s only a few minutes away.”
“I’ll be fine.” I nod my head. I haven’t been to Flanagins in a while and I am starting to get hungry thinking about it.
“I’d better grab my dad and head over. Enjoy your ride with all the women.” Kurt laughs and winks at me. I smile and laugh a little too. I’ve really been enjoying spending time with him, my feelings for him have been growing stronger. They shouldn’t be, even though I know I shouldn’t act on my feelings, I often let them take control. Before he can walk away, I grab Kurt”s hand and pull him to me, giving him a hug and a gentle kiss on his cheek.
“Aw, isn’t that so sweet?” Mrs. Michaels comes over to us and slides her arm through mine. I blush a little and look up at Kurt, he’s watching me with a mixed reaction on his face.
“Sorry,” I say automatically to Kurt, feeling bad that I did that. Especially in front of everyone.
“What are you sorry about, dear?” Mrs. Michaels asks and I freeze.
“Oh, uhm. Public displays of affection you know? Not always appropriate.” I make up my explanation on the fly and smile apologetically. Kurt is still watching me, a small smile growing on his face.
“Oh, don’t worry about it, sweetheart. Young love is beautiful.” Mrs. Michaels grins at both of us and waves her hand, dismissing my apology.
“You ready to go, son?” Mr. Michaels steps in and gains Kurt’s attention. He looks over at his dad and then back at me. He squeezes my hand and I smile. I didn’t even realize I was still holding his hand.
“Yeah, let’s go.” Kurt pulls his keys out of his pocket. He hesitates then takes a step towards me, still holding my hand. He leans down and kisses me. He kisses me on the lips, in front of his parents and my mom and grandma. When he pulls back, he smiles down at me and I bite my lip to keep from grinning up at him. “See you at the restaurant.”
After Kurt and his dad walk to his car and get in, Mrs. Michaels waves to them and then turns to face the three of us girls.
“Should we head out?” Mrs. Michaels asks.
“Yes, we should head over. My husband just left, I don’t want to keep him waiting too long,” my mother comments. She and Gram head over to Mrs. Michaels’ car. Mrs. Michaels and I follow behind them and I offer to sit in the back with my mother so my grandmother can sit up front.
“Juliana,” Mrs. Michaels calls from the driver’s seat. “I hope you don’t have any plans for the rest of the day because we have a surprise for you after lunch. I don’t know if it will take the whole day but you never know.” I look over at my mom sitting beside me. She smiles politely and usually, I can count on her to share any secret but she stays silent. “So, are you free for the rest of the day?”
“Oh, uhm, yes I think so. I’ll have to check in with Kurt though to see if he’s available.” I know Kurt usually uses Sunday evenings to relax or get ready for the work week.
“Oh no, honey, Kurt isn’t invited today.” Ms. Michaels looks at me in the rearview mirror and smiles mischievously.
“Oh, okay.” I’m very nervous now. “Well, I still want to check in with him anyway. Sometimes we have plans on Sundays,” I add just in case I can use it as an excuse in the future.
We pull into the Flanagins’ parking lot and I see that all of the men’s cars are already here. We are the last to arrive but the men are all waiting outside for us. We park the car and walk over to them together. I make my way to Kurt and stand by him when he holds the door open for everyone.
“How was the ride?” He asks when the last of the group walks inside. He holds the door open for me too then follows me inside.
“It was fine, short. They didn’t have time to question me too much. But your mom has plans for me after lunch. I think my mom and grandmother are coming too.” I tell him what his mom said in the car. Kurt looks over at his mom, narrowing his eyes.
“I wonder what she’s got planned for you. Oh no.” Kurt stops when the front door opens. I turn towards the door and in walks his sister.
“Hi!” His sister goes around giving hugs to everyone. She gives me a long hug and a big smile. Before she can say anything besides a greeting, Kurt chimes in.
“Hey, Merrin. What are you doing here?” Kurt gives her a hug then we all move forward in the line to order.
“Sorry, I’m a bit late,” Merrin apologizes to their mom then turns back to address Kurt. “Mom invited me along to lunch and for the girls’ plans after lunch. And I couldn’t resist.” Merrin smiles at both of us. I am so curious as to what the plan is. I shoot a glance at Kurt and he just shrugs.
“Come on y’all, the line is moving. Don’t hold anyone up behind you.” Mrs. Michaels interrupts to keep us from asking any more questions. She waves us to move forward and we step up to the next available register. Kurt and I order together, I order second so I am able to pay before Kurt can offer.
“Thanks,” Kurt grabs our number to bring to the table then he stands beside me waiting while I sign the receipt.
“Of course,” I smile over my shoulder at him. “I did tell you I’d pay one of these days. Not just for a coffee date.” Kurt laughs and nods his head.
“That you did, my dear.”
We make our way to the table where the rest of our group is already seated. Conversations have already begun and Kurt and I are quickly dragged into them while we all wait for our food.