"Katie what is this?" Karen was helping herself to a second plate of the dessert Katie brought. Her, Eli, Henry, Jessie and Katie had just finished dinner.
"Death by chocolate."
"It's really good Kaite." Eli said with a mouthful of food.
"No I've had that before. This is so much better," Karen said.
"Well, it's my aunts recipe. She perfected it, adding a little of her own things in there."
"Like what?" Henry asked. Katie looked at him skeptically.
"Oh no. You aren't gonna steal this recipe. You got away with my Hungarian Stir-fry. You can't have my dessert too." Henry put up his hands in defense.
"Fine. Fine." He leaned over to Karen and whispered in her ear.
"I'll just take some home and analyze it." Karen laughed.
"I heard that." They both looked up at Katie and the whole table burst out laughing.
"Have I mentioned how much I like this girl Karen?"
"Once or twice." Katie smiled at the two adults.
A few minutes later they were cleaning up the kitchen. Eli had gone to work. Karen and Katie sat at the table, insisting that since they made dinner, the other two would have to clean up.
"So Jessie, Henry's nephew is coming to visit him for a few weeks. He's your age. Really handsome. Maybe you and him could go out." Both Katie and Jessie froze.
"You mean like a date?"
"Well, yeah. I assume you aren't going out with Tad anymore. What do you say? Tomorrow, I'll give you money. You could show him around? Besides you're young. You should date." Jessie was felt trapped.
"Umm. yeah ok." Henry smiled while Jessie avoided eye contact with Katie. 'After what we talked about last week. I can't believe she is doing this,' Katie thought.
"Thanks so much Jess. Don't worry, Dan is a good kid. And good looks run in the family you know." Karen laughed and kissed him.
"I'm sure they do." Katie finally snapped out of her stupor.
"I just remember. My Brother wanted me to baby-sit tonight. I better get going. Night Henry, night ms. Sammler. Later Jess." She didn't bother to even take a glance at Jessie.
"Bye Katie." The adults said in unison. Jessie ran after her and caught her as she was halfway down the driveway.
"Katie wait." She kept walking to her car.
"Why should I Jess?"
"I'm not ready to tell my mom. I just can't. Not yet. I will tell people. But I can't tell her now."
"Whatever Jess. Do what you have to do."
"Katie please." As she reached her car door she turned around to look at Jessie.
"I just need to be alone right now Jess." With that, she got into the car and drove off, leaving a hurt Jessie behind.