Solo (23 page)

"Why are you at a loss for words?"

"I've always hoped, but I wasn't sure…"

I had to interrupt her. "Mom, I know where this conversation is going, can we
please
talk about it when my boyfriend isn't sitting on the porch?"

"Oh yeah, sorry about that. We don't have to talk about it. I just want to tell you how proud I am of you."

I felt my face flush and ran to grab my hat. Mom followed. I said, "You don't need to be proud. It's my view on things. It isn't going to change." I rushed past her. "I'll be back soon." I turned to see her sitting on the stairs again.

"Okay honey."

Lucas was still sitting on the steps.

"Sorry it took so long. My mom needed help with something."

"No problem. You weren't gone that long."

We walked toward the mountains holding hands. I think both of us were happy that our anxieties over prom were resolved.

On our way up the mountain, I had to find a way to break some news to Lucas. I didn't want him thinking it had anything to do with the day we'd had. "I think I should drive myself to school tomorrow. I need to work on my routine." I bit my lip, waiting for his response.

"That's fine." He looked at me and squeezed my hand. "I might sneak up on you tomorrow after practice."

"All right, thanks for the warning. Just do me a favor and don't park your truck were I enter the woods."

"I'll park at the overlook and jog down, how's that?"

"That works."

We walked to the overlook and stared across the valley. Lucas sat on a boulder and pulled me close.

"It's so beautiful here." I leaned back against him.

"It sure is."

He slowly started kissing my neck, gently moving toward my chin. I turned toward him. His hands moved to the small of my back. After another kiss, he slowly pulled away and cradled my head on his chest. It completely made up for the kiss I hadn't gotten that morning.

On our way down the mountain, someone passed by and honked. Lucas waved.

"Who was that?"

"My parents," he laughed. "My mom wants you to come over for dinner sometime."

"Oh, that sounds like fun," I lied. I was really nervous about hanging out with his family.

"My mom is astonished that I have a girlfriend. I think she had the same idea as you—about me being a player." He laughed and shook his head.

"Wow, it's pretty sad when your mom thinks you're a player," I teased.

"Maybe next week you can come over."

"Okay, just let me know what night works best."

We walked up the driveway and stopped at his truck.

"I should get going." He fiddled with his keys.

"Okay, I'll see you at school."

"I'll wait for you in the parking lot."

"Well, I should hope so. I'll make sure I leave here by seven."

He pulled me close and whispered in my ear, "I'm really sorry for my foul mood today. You didn't deserve the silent treatment." He gently pressed his lips against my neck.

"I'm already over it; just don't make it a habit." I turned my face so our lips met.

Lucas got in his truck as I walked backwards up the drive waving goodbye. I couldn't get over how good the outcome of our conversation had been. It felt like a load was lifted off my shoulders.

I ran into the kitchen to help Mom make dinner, but she'd already taken care of it. Two steaming pizza boxes sat on the table.

"What's the occasion?" I hoped she wouldn't bring up the conversation she'd overheard.

"I didn't feel like cooking." She pulled paper plates out of the cabinet.

"I didn't know they delivered out here."

"Honey, it's not like we live in Timbuktu," she laughed. "Actually, I went to get it while you were on your walk with Lucas—where is he anyway?"

"He went home."

"Oh, I got two pizzas because I figured he'd stay for dinner."

"Sorry, if I'd known, I would have asked him. Maybe next time."

Gramps and my grandmother were back, so we all sat at the kitchen table eating pizza. Gramps looked tired and my grandmother had her usual puckered brow expression. I could feel Mom's eyes gawking at me.

I knew I couldn't ignore the fact that she'd heard one of my most embarrassing secrets. I also had to talk to her about prom night. She knew I wanted to stay in a room with Lucas. Would she really let me? I had to come up with a way to get her out of the house so we could talk without my grandmother hearing.

I swallowed a bite of pizza. "Mom, do you want to get some ice cream after dinner?"

Her eyes widen with a 'Who? Me?' expression. Did she really think I was going to avoid her and our awkward conversation completely? "Sure that sounds good."

"I'll pay this time."

"You're on."

The knots making permanent residence in my stomach started to tighten. We were on our way to the store when I finally mustered enough courage to ask the first question on my mental list. "So, be honest with me, how much of my conversation with Lucas did you hear?" I stared out the windshield, afraid to look at her.

 "Well, when I came downstairs, I heard Lucas say, 'Please hear me out before you answer'. I promise I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I was just coming to see if he wanted to stay for dinner. I could tell it was a serious conversation, so I decided not to interrupt. Then I heard his offer. After that, I knew I had to hear your answer. I understand if you've lost all trust in me."

What? Did Mom just apologize to me?
"Mom, it's all right. I'm not mad, a little embarrassed maybe, but definitely not mad."

"Thank you, honey." She took a deep breath. "Our relationship has been so great, I thought I'd ruined it today."

"No, it's still intact. But I guess that takes me to my next question—what do you think about what Lucas asked?" I turned my head slightly toward her, chewing my bottom lip.

"Hmm…That's a little different. I'm your mother, and as much as I trust you, I know how impulsive certain moments can become."

"Mom, believe me, there is absolutely no chance in a million years that anything impulsive will happen at prom. Besides the only reason we want to stay is so we're not driving back in the middle of the night."

I watched my mom, waiting for her to speak. She didn't say anything. I knew she had her own debate going through her mind.
Just say yes or no.
 I grew more impatient with each second that ticked by. She really didn't have anything to fret about. My worry was that she'd say no, and then I'd have to break the news to Lucas.

We pulled into a parking spot and entered the store to choose our ice creams flavors. Still, she said nothing. I led the way to the bench Lucas and I had sat on the night before. She had to say something sooner or later. Hopefully,
sooner
than later.

"Okay," she said in a calm, collected voice.

I turned to see the expression on her face. "Okay?" I repeated.

"Yes, you can stay in Roseburg—with Lucas. But he has to follow through with two beds. No ifs, ands, or buts about it."

I slowly released my breath. I tried to hide my excitement. Inside I was overjoyed, ecstatic, on cloud nine. I needed to find the right words. But what could I say? I looked at her and simply said, "Thanks, Mom."

I wanted to end our evening on a light note, so I told her about the flag football game I'd organized with Lucas. She loved the fact that it was girls vs. boys. Probably because she knew how competitive I was when it came to the battle of the sexes. Her favorite part was Lucas going to a chick flick, and she reminded me that a tearjerker was starting that weekend. That pleased me even more.

As soon as I got back to the house, I went to my room to call Lucas and tell him Mom's decision. I couldn't hit send fast enough. I reminded myself to breathe and keep it cool.

"Hello," he answered.

"Hey there, it's Eliana. Are you busy?"

"Nope, just finishing some homework."

"Well, do you want to finish and call me back? I don't want to bother you."

"I wish you could understand that you
never
bother me. Did you change your mind about driving to school tomorrow?"

"No, sorry, I'm driving myself, but nice try. I was actually calling to talk to you about prom."

There was a slight pause. "Um-hmm."

"Well, I talked to my mom this evening. She said that I can stay in Roseburg with you on prom night."

"She said you could stay with me?"

I wasn't sure if Lucas was asking a question or repeating my statement.

"I'm sorry, maybe I misunderstood about the sleeping arrangement? I thought you meant we would be in the same room." I started to second guess myself.

"No, you're right, I want to share a room, but I never really thought you'd tell your mom the actual truth." He sounded shocked.

I didn't want to tell him she'd overheard our conversation. That would be too embarrassing. "We have a very open relationship, and she completely trusts me."

"I see." He was quiet. I hadn't a clue as to what he was thinking.

"Is everything okay? You're making me nervous."

"Yeah, I'm just at a loss for words. I never expected you'd be able to stay with me."

I didn't know how to take that. "Sorry to disappoint you. Why did you even…"

"Eliana, that didn't come out right. You're taking this completely wrong. I don't think you understand the magnitude of my excitement. I didn't want to get my hopes up. I guess I'm just in shock."

"Well, to be honest, I was shocked when my mom agreed."

Lucas chuckled, "This totally makes my night."

"Now, that's the reaction I thought I'd get. I hope it gives you good dreams tonight."

"Oh, you can't even imagine."

"Okay, maybe I don't want to know. Well, I'd better let you go. I need my beauty rest if I'm going to be out of the house by seven."

"See you in the morning. I'll be waiting in the parking lot."

"All right. Good night." I hung up and stared at the ceiling. The day had been an emotional roller coaster that, thankfully, had ended on a positive note. And to top it off, we had enough girls to play flag football. I decided to put my thoughts about prom on the back burner for a few days while I prepared for the battle of the sexes. Friday would soon be here and I'd get to judge the potential in my female teammates.

After school on Friday all the girls involved in the flag football game showed up at my grandparents' house. We played a practice game so they'd have an idea of what to expect. The cheerleaders, usually so coordinated, were clumsy and I started having doubts about the game.

"Okay ladies, if we're going to have any hope of winning tomorrow, I think we need to work a different angle." I sucked a deep breath. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but we need to think about what we're going to wear."

"Now you're talkin'," Casey said.

"We should work our best assets. What I mean is wear tight clothes—attention getters."

"We can handle that," Rachel grinned and looked at the girls. "I'm thinking pink and black."

"Yeah," the girls simultaneously agreed.

"Okay, I can work with those colors, too."

After practicing a few more sequences, we agreed to meet on the field a few minutes early for a pre-game pep talk. I started feeling a little more optimistic. Maybe, there was a minuscule chance we could pull off a win. If I could just get the girls to block me, I could make a few runs.

Lucas pulled into the driveway just as the last car of girls drove away.

"If you're trying to spy on your competition, you're too late," I scolded.

"No, I stopped by to wish you good luck
and
get a few ideas about dinner tomorrow night."

"Ha—I think you've got it wrong. But I'm glad you stopped by so I can let you know there's a real tearjerker playing tomorrow night. I hear it's great."

"I guess it's a good thing we won't be going to the movies tomorrow, huh?" Lucas pulled me close and planted a knee-buckling kiss.

"I guess we'll just have to wait and see." I eased away.

"I guess so." He pulled me back. "In the meantime, what do you want to do tonight?"

"I don't have any plans. I think I'll hang out here."

 "Oh, okay, well, I guess we'll see each other tomorrow then." He stared at the ground.

I gently turned his face until our eyes met. "Just because I'm staying in tonight doesn't mean you can't stay with me. I'm sure you'll be bored, but it's totally fine if you want to hang around. I'll probably watch news or game shows with Gramps."

"Well, my staying depends on whether Gramps will have clothes on?"

I laughed, "Yeah, I'll make sure of it."