5. Boyfriends
Once I was home I called Brenda to see what she has been up to. She told me all about this camp that she went to. Apparently she met this really hot guy and they were now dating. I proceeded to ask all the right questions and keep the conversation going. She then asked about my prison term in Forks and I put the best spin on it that I could, telling her it was nice to see Charlie, but the sun only came out for half a day that whole time I was there.
She felt sorry that I was sunless for so long so she asked if I wanted to go to the pool later in the week. I was glad to be back in the warm weather and dry for the first time in a month so I eagerly accepted. Not comfortable in a bikini I was thinking about what I was going to wear. After getting off the phone I went down to watch TV and chat with my mom. I could tell she had something to say but she wouldn't come out and say it.
"What is it?" I stared at her daring her to say nothing.
"Nothing sweetie," OK, I know where I got my inability to lie.
"You can't fool me mom, you must know where I inherited my 'open book' face."
"OK OK, I meet someone while you were in Forks, it was sudden, I wasn't looking, he just happened to be at the store at the same time I was and he looked so handsome, and had a smile that could stop you in your tracks." OH NO! She has never talked about a guys smile like this except for Charlie's. That is the one thing above all else that made her fall for Charlie.
"His name is Phil Dwyer and he is trying out for a minor league baseball team this year."
"Minor League? And how old is said minor league baseball player?"
"Age doesn't matter." She said with the, I really hope that wouldn't come up look.
"Well that is good because one of my friend's older brother said he thought I was really pretty and asked me to his senior prom this year. I thought I was going to have to beg for you to let me go."
"ABSOLUTELY NOT! You are far too young to go out anyone in high school!" A look of horror was written all over her face.
"Kidding mom! So age does matter?" I smiled, I win!
She hung her head in shame and mutter. "Ten years younger." I still had my smile in place when she looked at me.
"Don't worry; you are too young at heart to find someone close to your age." She smiled at me and gave me a big hug.
"I am just worried about you honey. You act so mature and grown up. By the time you are ready to date you're going to have to find someone that is a hundred!" We both laughed.
I got up and looked around the kitchen so that I could start dinner. "When is you next date?" I asked as I got out the chicken and very carefully started to trim it.
"Friday, he is taking me to see the team he is trying out for. Then we are going to dinner. That reminds me, we will need to make arrangements for you to stay with someone. I don't like the idea of you staying here alone."
"I was talking with Brenda earlier and she mentioned us going to the pool later this week. Maybe I could stay with her Friday night. Then we could go to the pool Saturday and you could pick us up and take her home?"
"That sounds like a good idea, give her a call and I'll talk with her mother later, if Brenda agrees."
The rest of the week I caught up on laundry, cleaned the house and made a grocery list. By the time Friday came around my mom was glowing. I could tell she was excited about her date. And I had to admit I was ready to see Brenda and Susan. We decided to have a slumber party, much to my dismay. I foresaw a pedicure in my future. When my mother dropped me off Susan was already at Brenda's and they were picking out a movie to watch.
As predicted once the movie was over the nail polish came out. Despite my reservation about painting my nails I relented, I really wasn't a girlie girl. I didn't wear makeup, paint my nails, wear sexy or trendy clothes; I did have a really good time just talking about things though. But the inevitable happened once Brenda's parents went to bed, boy talk. Naturally I had nothing to add to these discussions, but I looked interested and gave the appropriate OH, AH and MM-HMs, at the right time. Apparently Susan had a little more experience with boys than Brenda, so she did most of the talking. Luckily it was over soon and we all went to sleep, I just hope that I don't say anything tonight.
The next morning neither of them looked at me weird, even though I dreamt that I was living in Forks, voluntarily! So we got up and got ready to go to the pool. As I suspected Susan and Brenda had bikinis and I put on my one piece and we headed out for a day in the sun. After taking a bath in sun block I got out my book and started to read.
"You know Bella, you aren't going to get any sun if you put that stuff on every hour." Susan looked at me and the large bottle of 50+ I was reapplying.
"I don't get tan, I get burned." I stated as I had personal experience. When I was younger and my forgetful mother didn't reapply sun block after I went swimming one time in the ocean I ended up red from head to toe and in pain for almost a week. The only good thing that came out of that was it was impossible to tell if I was blushing, no matter how embarrassed I got. She just looked at me and shrugged.
After a couple hours we jumped in the pool, it was nice. Not to cold, like the ocean by Forks, but not so warm that it didn't cool us off. It was nice being in the water. I was by no means a good swimmer, but I was OK. Best of all I couldn't stub my toe, scrap my knees or palms, I was weightless! Then the boys came, great. As soon as I saw them I excused myself saying I had to go to the restroom. I heard the boys introduce themselves just as I was getting out and heading for my towel. I staying in the bathroom a couple extra minutes to make sure the intros were done and they started doing whatever it was they came to talk to us about. Then I headed straight for my chair, sun block, and book. Once I got comfortable I risked a glance around to see what they were up to, playing water volleyball. Definitely not going to threaten the unsuspecting patrons with my inept skills, so I waved and gave Brenda a 'you know you don't want me out there' look. She must have noticed because she smiled and nodded.
After a few more hours and a few more healthy coats of 50+ we were ready to leave. I called my mom and she took us back to Brenda's where I gathered my things, thanked Mrs. Greene and got back in the car. On our drive home I was naturally inundated with the normal motherly questions, which I answered. I told her that we had made plans to go to the movies next weekend because some new movie was being released that they really wanted to see. I agreed to go, mostly to have something to do rather than actually being interest in the movie.
Once we got home I tossed my bag in my room and went to the kitchen to start cooking. I asked how the date went and my mother started glowing. "I guess it went well." I surmised. She then started telling me all about how much of a gentleman he was and how they talked the entire time as they seem to actually have a lot in common. I was smiling as I could tell that she was very happy. Once dinner was ready and we were eating she told me that she thinks I would have to meet him sometime soon.
OH boy, I have meet a few of my mom's boyfriends, most don't like the fact that she has a child, let alone a child that takes care of her mother. I just nodded and kept eating. By the looks of it she really likes him and if it made her happy so be it. After I put away the dishes I went to empty my bag, get ready for bed, and try and finish my book.