I realize the Silver Diner is not in Florida, but there's one in my hometown and I couldn't help but picture these two eating there. Too cute to pass up :)
For the past few weeks, Sherwin has taken the bus to Jonathan's house. Every day after school, the boys ride over to the corner of Bailey's Lane and Sunflower Drive where they then walk the remaining distance home and greet Jonathan's mom. Having already retired, Brenda is always there to welcome her son and his friend inside. She allows them both to do as they please, and the two make sure to fill the hours with as much entertainment as time allows. Their activities range from sports to video games to cuddling, and each day ends when Brenda drives Sherwin to his house just before dinner. Each visit proves as seamless and joyful as the last, although getting to this point hadn't been achieved without some hassle. Candice made sure to procure phone numbers, addresses, and names before agreeing to the arrangement, and Sherwin had no way of convincing his mom otherwise. Her resolve had been rock solid.
"I don't know anything about them," she argued. "I want to talk to someone before you go off visiting people I've never met."
"I've spent time with Jonathan every day for weeks now; seeing him at a house should be no different. Plus, his mom volunteered to drive me home every day before you get back from work. Do you really still want all this information while knowing that?"
"Yes."
Helicopter moms.
Everything turned out all right. What he thought would be a quick 5-minute call turned into an hour-long conversation, complete with not just details about the impending stay, but also with stories and laughs. Any worry Sherwin had about the exchange instantly subsided and, as promised, Candice gave her seal of approval for visitation rights.
Sherwin wasn't sure what to expect when seeing Brenda for the first time, but he didn't anticipate it to be so cheerful. That very first day the boys traveled together on the bus, Sherwin saw a woman of average height standing in the driveway, a five-month-old chocolate lab puppy at her side. Once they were close enough, she raised her right hand, waved, then shouted: "Hey, you two!" Her fuzzy companion responded with just as much zeal, with a tail wagging so forcefully its entire lower body swung to the motion.
"Hi there, I'm Sherwin. It's nice to finally meet you."
"Likewise. Looks like Bear is happy to see you too." The puppy immediately nuzzled his face against Sherwin's hand, making sure he also got a proper greeting. He was as cute as he was hyper, and quite the kisser.
"You have a puppy and never told me?" Sherwin exclaimed, giving Jonathan a disbelieving look. Before he could respond, Brenda offered an explanation.
"We got him about a year after I decided to retire. Being cooped up inside the house all day with no one to talk to got pretty lonely, so this guy is my buddy while the boys are away all day."
"You really should get out more," Jonathan remarked. "Go to a friend's place, join a book club, something. Don't waste away inside the house."
"I've worked enough my whole life to finally enjoy some downtime. Besides, now we have a guest who can fill that void and give us some company," she said, offering Sherwin a smile. He returned a small smile of his own.
After introductions, she led them to the front door. Upon stepping inside, Sherwin instantly zoned in on the wide, uncovered windows. No curtains or blinds cloaked the massive panes of glass, and the arrangement made him a bit uneasy. Why would someone have a set-up like this for the whole world to look in and see? he thought. Where Candice likes some sort of shade covering each window, Brenda seems to enjoy nothing but the bare necessities. He was used to a much more private design, so he did his best to stay out of view—becoming a living spectacle to passerby was not in the cards. But after enough time it became peaceful. Even with the surrounding houses in site, looking out the window proved to be calming and picturesque. He loves the quaint, comfy space Candice created for them, but every so often it's nice to sit and watch the day pass by, with actual sunlight illuminating the room instead of artificial lamp lighting. It was a place he started to consider another home.
Getting to know more about Brenda during the first few evenings was nice, but boy, can she talk. Jonathan attributes it to having no one to speak to during the day, so all her thoughts come pouring out as soon as another person steps in the door.
"This is why she needs to go out during the day and socialize." Jonathan let out an exasperated sigh. Sherwin couldn't help but laugh. The dog may help with the loneliness, but you can't really have a meaningful conversation when the only other living thing around you can't answer back.
Even with her chattiness, Sherwin was nothing but grateful for having been welcomed into their home.
He has yet to meet Jonathan's dad, who always ends work after Sherwin finally goes to his own home each day. Having never even seen a picture of him, Sherwin tries to imagine all the unknowns: how tall he is, what features he shares with Jonathan, whether or not he's friendly. Sooner or later, the two are bound to meet. Once they do, all those questions will finally have answers. He wonders when that day will be.
This has become their routine, and Brenda was only happy to do it after her son disclosed the big news. Jonathan had wasted no time telling his parents about his first relationship, although he made sure the approach was subtle. Nothing was different about the way everyone sat around the dining room table that evening, yet he felt it best to convey the message thoughtfully.
"There are three people in my life I really care about: my mom, my dad, and Sherwin."
"Oh?" his mom questioned, a playful smile on her face. "Who's Sherwin?"
No hesitation; he got right to the point. "He's my boyfriend."
Apart from raised eyebrows, his dad didn't comment. Brenda let out a soft gasp.
What did those reactions mean? Their failure to comment could signify disinterest, although that didn't seem to be the case here. Had he been too forward? Were they still processing the message? Too many questions were circling around in his mind, and the silence finally got to him.
"Is this something you guys don't want to talk about right now?" he tentatively asked.
Brenda was the one who spoke up. "No, not at all. The transition from talking about hockey to your relationship status is just different. What brought this up?"
"I've thought up ways to tell you guys for a couple days now, and this seemed like a good enough chance. It's not the type of thing I wanted to keep bottled up."
"Sherwin," she said, as if testing out the name. "I like it. Not something you hear too often. We'd love to meet him one day soon."
Little did she know at the time just how big a part of their lives he would become.
It was the middle of the week during a game of Rummy when Jonathan popped the question.
"So," he began. "When are you going to introduce me to your family?"
The question caught him off guard. Sherwin had grown so accustomed to these visits and it never occurred to him that maybe his love would enjoy an invitation, too. He called his mom that very moment to set up a date.
Jonathan waits patiently on the front porch for Sherwin to fish out his key.
"Before we go in," Sherwin begins, still digging through his pocket, "just know my mom can be a little, uh…overbearing. She'll have no problem with you, but it's something to keep in mind."
"I'll only make a mad dash if she tries to feed me beets."
"Good thing we plan to go out for dinner. Got it." He unlocks the door and walks in to find his mom in the living room, playing on her iPad. Fridays really seem to be such productive days for her.
Once the door closes, she stands up and makes her way to the foyer.
"I think I've finally figured out how to pass level 189 of Pet Rescue. Only two pets were left on my last try."
"Nice to hear, mom. We have a guest." Jonathan politely nods his head and says hello.
"The mystery man. It's nice to finally have a face to go with the name. I'm Candice"
She doesn't extend a hand, which Sherwin is grateful for. It's too formal and business-like. Instead, Candice offers a genuine smile and leads them to the living. After backpacks and books are stored away, she gestures towards the couch while re-claiming her spot in the burgundy recliner.
"I never got to thank you for taking such good take of Sherwin all those weeks ago. The older I get, the more I worry about whether I'll be available for him whenever he needs help. You've helped alleviate some of that." She reaches over to squeeze her son's hand. He squeezes right back.
"Of course." He focuses his attention on Sherwin. "Even though you weren't feeling well that day, I don't regret anything that happened. Knowing we finally got the chance to talk was worth all the unpleasant moments thrown our way." Jonathan swivels his torso to face Candice once again. "I also don't think there's any pending chance of you not being able to support him."
"I don't mind telling you my age—I'm 54."
"You don't look a day over 40." Such a charmer.
"Oh, you're sweet. That's only because this one here keeps me young. My late-in-life gift."
Sherwin groans as his hand comes up to cover his face. It's the same exact thing she said to Brenda the first time they spoke on the phone; the same thing she always says to people whenever he is brought up in a conversation. And, like always, he diverts attention away from the subject.
"We should go pretty soon. The dinner crowd will start showing up in a couple hours and we want to avoid that."
"All right, just let me put some decent shoes on."
Candice had offered to drive the boys to their destination, and for that, they were thankful. Making the trip by foot is possible, but time-consuming. Besides, walking home from school had given them enough exposure to this state's god-awful humidity.
Before long, the blue sedan pulls in front of the Silver Diner. Chrome and red coloring outline the restaurant's exterior, making it the most distinctive and noticeable building in site. The neon clock tower reads 4:30. Jonathan gives thanks for the ride while he and Sherwin file out of the backseat.
"Any time. Even if you guys need me before you're through with dinner, I'll be around. Just call 1-800-MOM."
"We will," Sherwin promises. "See you later."
They enter through the double doors where a hostess then guides them to a two-person booth. Menus are set on the beige tabletop while both boys slide onto the red upholstered seats. Once settled, they find that their legs are not yet long enough to reach the checkered floor. Each table is adorned with a mini jukebox featuring hundreds of oldie songs. After placing their orders, Jonathan puts in a quarter and chooses The Turtles "Happy Together."
Sherwin swings his legs in a steady rhythm while watching waiters carry trays of all types of food including burgers, breakfast items, and even milkshakes as tall as his forearm. The overall atmosphere provides a sense of nostalgia that immerses all those who dine there in the style of a 50's diner.
"Sorry we're eating this early in the day," Sherwin says. "I know you're used to having dinner much later."
"Not a problem. It's the company I care about more so than the food." Their hands meet halfway across the table before lacing together.
"We should consider this our first official date. All those times at my house were just warm-ups," Jonathan mentions.
"I like that. It's also the first occasion where we've had alone time outside of school. Definitely a day to remember."
When a waiter comes by with a large tray just moments later, they separate hands to make room for dinner plates. A game of footsie commences while the meal is enjoyed, but only after amending their first attempt that involved caressing the leg of the table instead of one another's foot.
Half of their food is gone before Jonathan speaks up. "Your mom seems great. I only have a first impression to go off on, but I stand by that opinion."
"She is. I sometimes give her a hard time about simple things, but she's always been devoted."
It's nothing but the truth. Even with all his mom's quirks, Sherwin has never once questioned her love for him. Candice is a smother, no doubt, but her unwavering warmth is enough to thaw even the most vicious of souls.
"While we're on the subject," Sherwin says, looking a bit flustered. "I want to come clean and tell you that I haven't told my mom yet. About us being together, I mean."
Jonathan doesn't respond, but the thoughtful look on his face gives Sherwin the courage to continue.
"Please don't think it's something you did or that I'm embarrassed—that's the farthest thing from the truth—but I just wanted you to meet her first before I announced anything. I understand if you're upset, but that's the reason behind it."
"How can I be mad about that? I only took the leap so soon because my parents are so lenient and I didn't expect an unfavorable reaction. Deciding when to tell her is entirely up to you, and I'll be right by your side when and if you need me."
They offer each other loving smiles and join hands once more before returning to the remainder of the meal.
By 5:30, all the food is gone and dishes have been taken away. The restaurant is also mobbed. Dozens have gathered inside the restaurant in an attempt to avoid cooking after a long workweek. The waiter occasionally walks by and eyes them in what can only be interpreted as an unspoken signal to leave the table and make room for more customers. Seeing this as their cue, Sherwin picks up the phone and dials his mom.
After getting a lift back home, the boys make their way up to Sherwin's room. Jonathan only has time to take in a few aspects of the room before he says, "Where do you keep your pictures?"
"That's your takeaway from being in here a total of ten seconds? You want to see my photography collection?" he chuckles.
One side of Jonathan's mouth quirks up into a look of bashfulness. "I've been thinking about them all day. The one you gave me is so nice that I couldn't help but think about what all the others look like."
Sherwin thinks back to the very first time he spent at Jonathan's home. They were making their way up the stairs to his room when the redhead noticed something familiar. On Jonathan's nightstand in a 5x8 cherry wood frame rested the picture given to him during their time huddled under the tree.
It is the same photo that still sits in that very spot; the one Jonathan looks at every evening before going to bed.
All of the sudden, Sherwin feels ashamed for having laughed at his love's question.
"Hey, I'm only teasing. Let me get the box."
He pulls the shoebox out from under his bed and hands it to Jonathan, who then flips open the lid and carefully leafs through every single photo.
"These look so good. You really have talent." After looking through the entire assortment, he places the container on Sherwin's bed. "If you ever decide to get back into the hobby, maybe I can be included in some of your snapshots."
They both know that will surely be the case.
Their lips are just barely touching before the door swings wide open.
"Sherwin, I need you to—"
The motion makes the couple instantly jump apart, creating two or three feet of space between them. Both boys flush a brilliant shade of crimson, which Candice suddenly feels extremely embarrassed for causing.
That's Candice. Always one to knock.
"I-I hadn't realized," she stammers. "I always assumed you and Nicole…" She doesn't finish her thought.
"That's what you thought? No, Mom." While she had completed misconstrued the nature of his relationship with Nicole, Sherwin was glad her name had been brought up. It had been too long since they last spoke. He makes a mental note to call her later.
"I had just assumed, with you two being so close." She closes her eyes and releases a sigh. "I'm entirely at fault here. Jumping to conclusions has also been a vice of mine, and that's exactly what I did in this instance. I hope you boys can forgive me."
Neither one responds. All they can muster is a faint nod to acknowledge the apology.
"I really am sorry for the disruption. Your mom will be here in half an hour to pick you up, Jonathan." And with that she leaves. He should still be mortified, but all Sherwin can think about at the moment is whether or not his mom has finally learned her lesson about acknowledging her presence before bursting through closed doors.
"Who's Nicole?" Jonathan asks, bringing Sherwin out of his thoughts. He's expecting to find jealousy or even a hint of anger on his handsome face, but the only emotion he can detect is curiosity.
"A friend who used to live right across the street from me. She moved away several months ago once her mom got a new job. Do you remember a tall girl with light brown hair who could never quite grasp the concept of "quiet?"
Jonathan contemplates the question. "Can't say I do. She sounds interesting, though. Maybe you can introduce us sometime.
"Maybe so. You'd like her."