Chapter 10
Three weeks later Maya bustled into her apartment laden with bags to find Shawn in the kitchen. "Good afternoon Maya, do a little shopping today"? "I got my first paycheck" Maya gushed. "How much is left"? Shawn asked warily. "Well, none" Maya admitted, "but I got a bunch of new clothes and some new art supplies, and I will get paid again in two weeks". Shawn hesitated, trying to find a way to impart some knowledge on Maya without her pushing back; she was sometimes hostile when she thought he was "fathering" her. "Maya, I know your first paycheck is really exciting, but maybe you should save some of the next one? You are a senior, you know, you are going to have a lot of expenses when you decide to move out." At Maya's slight glare he decided to change the subject "so how is the job going, do you like it there?" Maya's face lit up "I love it, I love helping the kids, it's like I can see what they want to create and I can help them get there, it's so wonderful feeling so useful, you know?" "Yeah I do" Shawn responded smiling, he well remembered growing up in a one parent home and feeling useless. "Hey, your mom and I want to take you out for dinner for your birthday next week, according to your mom since you are turning 18 on October 18th it's your golden birthday, supposed to be kind of a big deal. Where would you like to go?" Maya thought for a minute as Katy walked through the door "Oh, Bonefish Grill, I could really go for some bang bang shrimp, could I bring someone with me?" Katy joined them in the kitchen and took over. "We were hoping to have a family dinner, couldn't you see Riley afterwards?" "Actually mom I was hoping to bring Andrew, he's really great and you two haven't met him yet, please?" Katy and Shawn exchanged a look, both a little shocked that Maya actually wanted to introduce her boyfriend to them, but there was no mistaking the hope in her face. "Yeah it's ok" Shawn answered. "We would really like to meet him". As Maya skipped off to her room with her bags Shawn kissed Katy gently on the forehead. "Don't worry baby" he said "we'll find another time to tell her."
The following Friday Andrew was waiting outside the door of Bonefish Grill when Maya, Katy, and Shawn arrived just before their 7:30 reservation. "Andrew hi" Maya said as she hurried up and hugged him "these are my parents". "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Hunter" Andrew responded, shaking hands with each of them "here, let me get the door". "Wow, early, cute, and a gentleman, I'm impressed" Katy teased as Maya's face went crimson. "Good job kid" Shawn added, patted Andrew on the shoulder as he walked through the door and completing Maya's humiliation. "I'm so sorry" Maya hissed as the hostess showed them to their table. "Don't worry about it" Andrew laughed "they seem cool", and then he waited for Maya to get into the booth before sliding in. Once their drink and appetizer orders were taken and before Katy and Shawn could start grilling him, Andrew turned to Maya and handed her a box: "Before I forget, happy birthday baby". Maya opened the box to find golden heart earrings filled with multi-colored stones. "Andrew I love them, but I can't accept them, they must have cost a fortune" she breathed. "Well, the stones are fake, so they weren't that much, they just really reminded me of you, do you really like them?' "I love them" she responded, kissing him in thanks. The kiss dragged on long enough that Shawn cleared his throat to interrupt. "So we are doing presents now huh, Katy do you want to give Maya ours?" Katie handed Maya a box, "this one is for now, there is another one for later". Maya gave her mom an odd look before opening the box to find an 18 k gold necklace made of 3 delicate chains laced together. "Mom it's gorgeous, thank you both, but why can't you just give me the second present now?" Katy and Shawn exchanged a look that Andrew picked up on "I can go to the bathroom if you want some privacy" he offered. "No" Maya said firmly holding his hand in a death grip "stay. Mom, Shawn, what's going on?"