"Who is this one?" Charlie asked.
"They're just friends," I grumbled, moving the edge of the curtain with my finger to see better, yet not too much so Bo wouldn't notice.
The boy opened the passenger side door and moved aside for Bo to get in, closing it for her before running around to the other side.
"Smooth kid," Charlie muttered. "Friends, huh?" He more so stated with a mustache twitch.
"She calls it casual dating."
"What now?"
"She isn't interested in having a boyfriend and wants to focus on her schoolwork and track, but will go on a date a few times a month for dinner or a movie."
"That-a-girl." Charlie chuckled. "A free meal with no strings attached."
"I'm just worried the boys don't realize it means something so platonic instead of romantic to her."
The doorbell rang, and Charlie just laughed again and moved to sit on the recliner he claimed every time he was over.
"There's the pizza."
I grabbed my wallet and opened the front door, startled to see Chris Newton there, a bouquet of yellow roses in hand.
"Hi Mr. Cullen, is Bo home?" He looked at me nervously, shifting from foot to foot.
"No, I'm sorry, son, she just left."
The pizza delivery was right behind him, and Chris stepped aside, allowing me to pay and take the boxes. He looked dejected, and I turned halfway to go back inside twice before sighing.
"Would you like to watch the game and have some pizza?"
"That'd be great." He beamed, looking much more pleased about the night's events.
I knew it was because he would be able to see who Bo went out with when she came home.
Charlie raised a brow but only grunted a 'hello' to Chris and 'thanks' to me when I handed him a plate.
The game was halfway over when Bo came in, sighing and plopping beside me on the couch.
"What a dud." She groaned, reaching forward for a slice of pizza. "He brought me to some new hip place for dinner that served nothing but greens and like a million sauces." Shoving half the slice into her mouth. "A girls gotta eat, am I right?" She asked with a mouth full throwing a wink at me.
That's when she noticed Chris sitting on the other side of me.
"What is he doing here?" She asked, mouth still full, finally swallowing her food and sending Chris a look. "I told you I wouldn't go out with you."
"I brought you flowers." He jumped to his feet and retrieved the now wilted flowers from the hall table, handing them out to her awkwardly.
She narrowed her eyes a bit until I kicked her foot.
"Thanks." She said, accepting them, only to plop them down on the coffee table, taking another slice. "Oh, come on!" She yelled at the television, now ignoring Chris altogether.
I looked at him to see his eyes were focused on the hem of her skirt and kicked him this time. A threatening look sent his way was enough to avert his eyes and keep them focused on the TV.
By the end of the game Bo and Chris were bickering about plays, and who got the last slice of pizza before Charlie swooped in and stole it. They both groaned and let out protest till I threw a carton of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream and two spoons between them.
"Night kids." Charlie gave Bo a kiss on the top of her head and patted my back, giving Chris a look as he left for the night.
"Not too much longer, okay, Bo?" I requested, heading for the stairs.
"Yes, sir." She yawned softly, lifting a hand for me to take and squeeze lightly.
I sat in bed with a book that was more a prop than reading material at this time. I drummed my thumbs against the cover, watching the minutes tick by on the clock. I heard shuffling, and footsteps enter the hall downstairs, so I threw back the covers and crept to the stairs, leaning over the banister for a better look.
"Thanks for hanging out for a while."
"It was fun." Bo smiled.
I watched Chris reach out for her hand and hold it as he leaned in. Bo did the same and met him halfway for a kiss. I must have leaned forward too far because the next thing I knew, I fell two steps and landed on my ass.
"Good night, Chris!" I yelled.
Bo stomped up the stairs, glared at me as she passed, and slammed her door.
My tailbone was going to be bruised.
"Not so hard!" I yelled as we were both thrown forward as Bo slammed on the brakes.
"Sorry!"
"It's okay," I rubbed the back of my neck, knowing it would be sore, "try again."
This time we did a series of starts and stops, both of us being flung forward and back into our seats. I couldn't even be irritated; I started laughing, causing Bo to join in, till we were both laughing uncontrollably.
"I guess I have a lot of practice until I get my license." Causing another fit of laughter. "I'm going to pee!" She groaned, wiping tears from her eyes.
Twenty-five minutes later, she had the hang of the break and was driving around the circle drive of the school with ease.
Maybe I will have Charlie teach her to parallel park.
"So, about a car…"
"License first." I laughed, pointing to keep going when we got to the street instead of having me take over like I usually did.
She grinned widely, cautiously easing into the street after looking for oncoming traffic.
It was our day to say hello, and she didn't need to be told. By now, she just knew.
I stood by the car, letting her have a moment alone with her mother before joining, and then she left to let me have mine. It was a ritual that was programmed so naturally to us after all these years.
All these years, yet it doesn't seem like many.
I let a tear glide down my cheek as I ran my fingers over her name, closing my eyes as the breeze picked up, caressing my face as if it was Bella's hand, giving me silent comfort. I rubbed my face dry before joining Bo inside the car, where she sat behind the wheel.
"So, you and Chris Newton, huh?"
"Daaadddddd…"
I am so sorry I am over a week late! I have been super busy the past couple of weeks with in laws visiting and getting the house back in order, to retirement parties and the husbands co workers visiting this week and trying to finish a bathroom demo beforehand, haha! But, here it is! Please tell me what you think and tell Fran she did a fabulous job!