this is me trying
chapter seventeen: dinner with the parents
tatum
I stroll through the front doors of the Forks Women's Crisis Center the Monday morning following Seth and I's first date. The weather outside is gross and raining, of course. But I am still overjoyed by the events from this weekend with Seth to even care about the grossness outside.
"Good morning, Tatum." My coworker, Michael, chirps from his cubicle as I walk by.
"Good morning." I smile back before settling down into my cubicle.
I put all of my things away before I log onto my desktop computer and begin picking up calls. As I am on the call with someone, I hear the shuffling noise of someone walking up behind me. I glance over my shoulder to see Jessica and Katyn looking at me with an expectant look. I instantly knew that they were here for gossip of my date with Seth. I knew Jessica wasn't going to waste a minute to tell all of my coworkers about my new forming relationship.
I hold up a finger, letting me know they need to wait a moment, as I wrap up my call. As soon as I hang up the call, the two gossip girls are gushing all over me. "Oh, my gosh. How come you were holding out on telling us about your new boy toy?" Jessica squeals.
"He is just gorgeous by the way." Katlyn adds with a wide grin on her face. "Jessica and I found his instagram through your followers."
Oh my gosh. I didn't realize my personal life is that big of a deal. And they stalked my instagram, I'm not really sure how I feel about that. I open my mouth but am not really sure what to say. "Jessica, Katlyn. There are phone calls to get to." Linda, my boss, scolds as she walks past my cubicle.
"We will have to discuss this at lunch." Katlyn says quickly before the two scurry to their desks.
I roll my eyes, annoyed that the duo are getting me into trouble with our boss, Linda. Hoping to avoid further trouble with Linda, I brush off my annoyance and the idea of the impending conversation about Seth and I's relationship and get back to doing my work.
But unfortunately, the morning part of my work shift seems to fly by and it is lunch time before I know it. I glance at my phone as I wait for Jessica to wrap up her last phone call and notice a text message from my mom.
I read over my mom's text. "Hi, sweetheart. We are still on for dinner tonight, correct? Your father and I are really looking forward to seeing you and catching up. Love you."
Shit. Dinner with my parents had totally slipped from my mind. I quickly respond saying that I am still on for dinner before I slip my phone into my coat pocket.
When Jessica gets off of her phone call, the four of us venture to a new spot for lunch today. When we are seated, all eyes are on me. "So, when can I meet this guy?" Katlyn asks with a smirk. "I'm hoping that he can hook me up with one of his hot friends."
"How did you two meet?" Jessica asks, nearly talking over Katlyn. "I thought you said that there weren't any guys you are interested in." She interrogates me.
"I-well… I have known Seth my whole life. Our families are close friends." I explain. "Seth and I just started hanging out when I got back to La Push and things just happened. And we aren't like together-together. Nothing official at least. We are just hanging out and going on dates." I continue. I don't know why I am explaining myself to them. It's not like I am that close with them to begin with. But I can't help but want to fit in here at work and this is the only way I think I can achieve that.
"Well, honey, you need to lock him down." Katlyn giggles before throwing her hair over her shoulder. "He looks like a keeper." Well, she's definitely not wrong about that.
The waitress comes by to take our orders before I am back under interrogation again. "How many dates have you guys been on?" Jessica questions.
"Just one date." I answer.
"I think the two of you guys look really cute together." Katlyn gushes as she turns her phone to show a picture of Seth and I that he had posted on his instagram from this weekend. I blush when I look at the selfie that we had taken. We did look really cute in that photo at the bowling alley.
But it is a little weird that Katlyn and Jessica are so interesting in my relationship with Seth. "I had a friend in high school who was dating a guy from La Push. And trust me, he was obsessed with her. It was a little creepy TBH." Jessica adds. "Just be careful with those guys. They want to wife you up real fast."
I am too flustered by all of the questions, statements, and pictures to say anything. But thankfully, Michael steps in to save me from further questioning. "What about that new guy that you are dating Jessica? Are you two still dating?" Michael asks.
The topic of my relationship with Seth is diverted as Jessica begins telling us a story of her second date with this guy she is seeing. She goes on and on about all the negative things about this guy. He is not romantic. Not a gentleman. Has bad breath. The list goes on.
I zone out of the conversation after about the fourth insult towards the poor guy. Our food is delivered not too far into the story of Jessica's date, thankfully, giving me something else to focus on.
I continue to zone out of the story as I eat my lunch. Instead I think about dinner tonight with my parents. I think about how I am grateful it's just going to be my parents and that I won't have to deal with my pestering sisters as well. But I can't help but wish that I could bring Seth along as my plus one. I just feel much more at ease with Seth.
After our lunch break is finished, I busy myself with work for the rest of the work day as I try not to think about being the gossip here at work or the impending dinner tonight. When the work day is over, I say my goodbyes to my coworkers before I head home and prepare myself for dinner with my parents.
I decide not to change out of my work clothes since they are rather comfortable. And before I know it, I am at the door of my childhood home. I hesitantly knock on the front door before shaking my head and walking through the door. "Hi, ma." I call out as I walk slowly through the dark foyer of the house.
"Tatum, sweetheart." I am quickly wrapped up into the arms of my loving mother. Her embrace is comforting. "I'm so glad you are here."
"About time I've seen my youngest daughter." My father's voice calls out from behind me. I pull away from my mother's arms and turn to see my father, who I haven't seen in several years due to my travels. I can't help but get a little teary-eyed as my father smiles at me. I throw my arms around my dad and he follows in suit by wrapping his arms around me as well. "I've missed you, T." He says softly.
"I've missed you guys, too." I respond, a little choked up.
This was definitely not the sort of response I expected to receive from my father. My father was one of the main reasons I have been avoiding dinners here. I knew he did not exactly approve of my decision to drop out of college and travel the world after hearing about the death of my older brother. I did not think my dad would be so quick to forgive me.
"Come, you two. Dinner is ready." My mom says as she walks into the kitchen. My dad and I follow her lead. As I walk down the familiar hallway, I can't help but take in the old family pictures. My throat tightens when I see Cade's face in one of the photos. I quickly look away and settle down in a seat at the dining room table.
"Your mom made your favorite." My dad says as he settles into a seat across the table from me.
My mom grins as she sets down a plate full of salmon and rice in front of me before setting down a plate in front of my dad as well. It is just a moment later that my mom settles into her own seat with her plate. "Did you just get off of work?" My mom asks as we all begin to dig into our food.
I hum and nod my head, mid bite, before I am able to swallow my food. "Yes, but I stopped at my house quickly before coming here." I say in confirmation.
"Your mom told me about your new job at the Women's Crisis Center. How are you enjoying your job so far?" My dad asks curiously.
"I am really enjoying it." I say with a soft smile. "I am getting acquainted with my co-workers and it's nice to feel like I am helping people."
"I'm really glad you were able to find a job that you love so much." My mom says with a grin. "I feel like it suits you perfectly."
"So you will be staying permanently then?" My dad questions with an eyebrow raised.
"Yes." I reassure my dad. "I don't think I want to be moving around any more. It's quite exhausting traveling everywhere and not having a permanent place to rest." A silence settles over us and I nervously glance between my parents knowing that I should speak up again. "I'm sorry." I spill out. "I'm sorry I worried you two while I was away. I am sorry that I have disappointed you guys."
"You haven't disappointed us, darling." My mom says as she rests a hand on my forearm. "We know that you were doing what was best for you at the time. We are just happy that you found your way back home safely."
"Your mom is right." My dad says with a nod of his head. "Sure we weren't ecstatic that you dropped out of college. But I am glad that you did what was best for you."
I feel like an unknown weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I didn't realize how much I needed to hear my father say that. It makes me feel better knowing that my parents understand why I did what I did.
"So what is that I hear about you hanging out with Seth?" My dad says after a few moments of silence. A smirk is playing on his lips. "I heard you two are getting awfully serious."
A reddish tint takes over my cheeks. "Yes, Seth and I went on a date on Saturday." I say before taking a bite of my salmon. I brush my food around with my fork as I chew my food. "It's been good to get to see everyone again."
"So you two are officially dating?" My father questions, not dropping the subject of Seth and I dating. My mother also looks at me, waiting for the answer to the question.
I don't know why I am suddenly so nervous. "We aren't official, I guess. We just are taking it slow and seeing where it goes." I admit, honestly. "But I am really glad that I have Seth." I say before another blush settles on my cheeks.
"He's a good kid." My dad says with a nod. "I definitely approve." My mom smiles in agreement.
"Oh, I spoke with your sisters. And they agreed to have dinner next week since they weren't able to come tonight." My mom adds. "It will be nice to have my triplets under the same roof." She says with a warm smile.
I swallow and stare down at my food. I can already tell that dinner will not be as enjoyable as she wishes it to be. My sisters and I definitely do not get along. I am fine going a little longer without seeing them.
The rest of dinner my mom and dad fill me in on what was going on with my sisters as well as the majority of the people within La Push. We all finish our dinners in the midst of conversation and I help my mom clean up the dishes.
"Your dad and I are really glad that you joined us tonight." My mom says as she loads up the dishwasher with the dishes I am handing her. "It can get kind of lonely with your sisters so far away."
"I had a great time tonight." I say with a smile. And I am being truthful. As much as I thought dinner tonight was not going to be enjoyable, I actually had a good time catching up with my parents and I am glad that I came.
"It's going to be so great to have all of you girls here next week." My mom beams. I smile softly, not wanting to put a damper on her good mood.
My mom and I finish up the dishes before I say good night to my parents, promising to see them next week for dinner. I bear the cold and rainy weather as I walk out and climb into my car. As soon as I start up my car, I have the urge to call Seth and I allow myself to follow that urge.
"Hello?" Seth's deep voice answers as I back out of my parents driveway. His deep comforting voice sends chills through my body.
"Hi. I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" I ask as I hear some background noise on his side of the phone.
"No, no. What's up, T? Is everything alright?" Seth says as the background noise slowly fades away.
"I just wanted to hear your voice. I missed you." I say honestly, ignoring the voice in my head that is saying it has only been two days.
"I miss you, too." Seth says. "How was your day today?"
"It was good. It was a busy day at work. Jessica had gushed to all of my co-workers about running into us in PA." I add with an eye roll. "So I was the gossip today." I say with a giggle. "I also had dinner with my parents tonight." I fill him in.
"And how did that go?" He asks, curiously.
"It went really really well, actually." I say with a smile as I remember my night with my parents. "They asked about you." I say before biting on my lip.
"Yeah? What did they ask about?"
"Whether or not we were officially dating." I answer. "You have my dad's approval by the way. He said and I quote 'He's a good kid'." I say before giggling.
Seth's beautiful laugh joins mine. "Well I am glad that I got Ben Locklear's stamp of approval." Seth chuckles.
I smile as I listen to his laugh. "I really miss you, Seth." I whisper into the phone as I pull into Cade's driveway and park my car. "I know that sounds really silly since we saw each other on Saturday."
"It's not silly, T. I miss you, too." Seth says in agreement.
"Are you busy tomorrow?" I ask hopefully. "I don't know if I can wait until this weekend to see you." I confess. I hear Seth hesitate on the other end. "If you are busy, then don't worry about it. We could do another day." I say as I climb out of the car and into the rain.
"No, no. I can figure something out." Seth assures me. "I was going to work a little later at the shop but I can work later another day."
I enter the house and press the FaceTime button on my phone, wanting to see Seth's face. I grin widely when I see Seth's handsome face on my screen. "Hi." I say all giggly.
"You look beautiful." Seth says with a grin.
"I just walked through the pouring down rain. But thank you." I say with a laugh. "If tomorrow really doesn't work for you, then we can do another day. I promise it won't hurt my feelings if you have to work."
"Tomorrow will work perfectly." Seth promises as I settle onto the couch. "Will this be our second official date then?"
"I don't know, will it?" I ask as I try to fight off a smile from emerging onto my lips.
"I am going to say yes." Seth responds. "But this time we can do something a little different. Maybe we can just have a simple dinner at my place?"
"That sounds perfect." I say happily.
"So it's officially a second date." Seth says, happily as well. "Do you just want to meet at my place after you get off of work?"
"Yeah, I can do that. I might swing by my place to change into some comfier clothes, if that's okay." I say.
"That's perfect." Seth assures me. "I can't wait to see you, T." A boyish smile takes over his lips. I wish I was there to kiss him right now. Dang, I wish I could see Seth everyday.
"I can't wait to see you too." I agree.
Damn, tomorrow can't seem to come fast enough.
So sorry for the late update. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. Let me know what you think about the story/chapter. I am so excited for the next chapter. I think you guys are really going to enjoy it. xx M