Chapter 4
Eventually I managed to get off the phone with Kelly, and then leapt down the stairs and into the kitchen. My nose filled with a fiery, rich fragrance; and immediately I found myself taking in deep breaths of the delicious, appetizing scent.
'Whoa, what's cookin'? I asked my step dad, Andy, as I reached across Doc to rinse my hands in the loaded sink. I started towards the table, and then with my lightning fast reflexes, shot back around, towards Doc, to catch a dish towel he'd tossed at me to dry my dripping hands.
'It's a new Indian recipe I'm trying out. Tell me if you like it- I'm not exactly sure how it turned out.' Andy announced, as he carried the spicy, hot dish to the table with his mitted hand.
Andy was wearing an apron and oven mitts as he darted across the kitchen, snatching up salts and spices. This wasn't exactly a very manly ritual for a guy like Andy, the father of three boys, but hey- it was cool with me as long as I got to have a little bit of that whatever-it's-called that he just cooked up.
'Boys!' Andy shouted up the stairs, hands cupped over his mouth, 'Dinner's ready!' Doc had returned to his room, but was back down the stairs in a second when he heard Andy yelling.
In this house, dinner was a big thing; when it's ready, its ready- And my mother and I had simply had to adjust after moving in with Andy and sons. I guess it wasn't so bad.
I watched my step brothers eat, in disgust- not a rare practice for me, to be totally honest. The food was so great, not a surprise to me, considering Andy had made it, but what happened a little way through dinner was a surprise to me, completely. Ding Dong! The doorbell rung loudly throughout the house, and suddenly Dopey, his mouth still full, shot out of his chair, to go for the door. The rest of us sat there, watching the glasses of pineapple juice slowly come to a stop after bobbling around on their bottoms for a moment, after Dopey's rough departure.
Dopey sat down at his spot at the table, looking slightly disappointed. We all watched him for a short moment, confusedly, but then were interrupted when Jesse came around the corner and into the kitchen. He shot me a glance, then looked at Andy and said in his beautiful soft voice, 'I apologize for interrupting. I just wanted to speak with Susannah for a moment, but if you all are busy then I guess I'll come back-' my mother cut him off to say politely, 'Hey, Jesse, how about you stay and eat with us. There's plenty of food and we haven't seen you since that dance you and my Susie went to. Maybe you guys could tell us a little about it.' Oh thank you, Mom, I love you! I thought. I heard Dopey say, under his breath, 'Oh, please do.' In a very sneaky, almost cruel voice. I kicked him underneath the table, then watched him as he swore silently and cradled his shin in his hands. I looked up at Jesse and chimed in, 'Yeah! Jesse, please stay. It would be really great.' This whole time Andy had sat there, not sure of what to do or say to our guest, maybe because he came during Andy's sacred time, or maybe because he was my boyfriend, but whatever the case, Andy stayed fairly quiet up until that moment when he cheerfully agreed to the offer his wife, my mother had made to Jesse- my boyfriend. 'Uh, yeah- that sounds alright…' Jesse said, pulling up an empty chair, 'It smells good too.' My mom laughed a little awkwardly at Jesse's equally awkward joke. Andy dished Jesse a plateful of spicy Indian heaven, then joined into the conversation he had patiently been having with my mother, about prom and how it had gone for the two of us.
The whole meal was a little uncomfortable at first, but then slowly Andy and my mom warmed up to Jesse, and he did the same. We all chatted a little about prom-the most awkward part- then moved on to other subjects. After dinner was over, Andy forced Dopey to clear the table, while Andy, my mom, Jesse and I engaged in a loud, colorful game of cards. The night flew by and everyone was actually enjoying themselves. How cool, Jesse getting a long with my sort-of family. Renaissance man, he can steal my heart and my family's all at the same time. I know, kind of corny, but that's how I felt- completely head-over-heels in love with him, even to the point where I would say things so lame as what I just did.
When the end of the night rolled around, I wasn't too disappointed because I was still totally dying to hear what Jesse had come to tell me in the first place. I hadn't seen him for a couple nights and couldn't wait to hear what he had to say.
Jesse held the creaky screen door open for me as I walked out into the fresh, warm, California night. He followed me onto our driveway, where I'd decided was way more private than near the door, after catching a few spies sneaking around-my brothers listening in on our conversation, I mean. I slid up onto the hood of the Land Rover and swung my legs gently, tapping the front of the car. Jesse leaned against the car, next to me, and asked, 'so, how are you, Susannah?' A puzzled look swept my face and I looked down at his perfect skin, catching the moonlight, 'Jesse, I thought you came to tell me something.' I said-a little confused actually. 'I just needed to talk to you- is all I said.' Jesse said in a pleasantly defensive tone. 'Oh. OK, I guess.' I answered, nodding my head. The two of us sat there for a few minutes, me, kicking my feet against the car, and Jesse closing his eyes and lifting his head towards the cool breeze.
The silence was finally broken when Jesse announced softly, 'Adam wanted me to ask you if you would be willing to go to his school's football game, this Friday night,' Whoa. My friend was asking my boyfriend to ask me out? That can't be right. 'He already spoke with Cee Cee, and she agreed.' OK, that's seems a little more natural. 'But wait, I thought Adam didn't start at his new school for a while- like a few months or something.' I asked, totally surprised by my new realization. 'Don't ask me-I'm just the messenger.' Jesse said, the corners of his lips stretching into a glow of a smile. 'Hmm…' I hummed quietly, 'I guess I'll have to give him a quick call tonight.' 'I guess so.' Jesse said, pushing away from the car, 'I should really get going, I have classes in the morning. Goodbye, Susannah Simon.'
I slid down from the car, so I was standing inches away from Jesse. I could feel his heat softly tickle my bare skin. 'Bye Jesse.' I answered, searching his face for emotion. 'Bye.' He repeated, as he slowly leaned in and gave me the most innocent kiss I'd ever been given, a sweet, simple kiss that meant the world to me. Jesse looked into my eyes, then turned away sharply to leave.
I stood there, for a while, watching his car pull out of our driveway, then folded my arms across my chest and headed inside to call Adam.