Dinner With The Other Side
It was finally Friday and Jason picked me up for dinner at his house. We had planned this all week. I would be meeting Jason's dad for the first time as well. When we got there he opened the door for me. He declared, "I'm home!" Thalia came down the stairs and said, "Dad's in his study. He has to work until dinner." "Oh! Ok. I'll get started on dinner then," Jason says, "Why don't you two get to know each other a little bit more?" Jason heads to the kitchen leaving me and Thalia alone in the hallway. "So… now that I look at you up close you're kind of cute. No wonder my brother likes you so much,"
Thalia says eyeing me from top to bottom. I blush and say, "Thanks." I started noticing things about Thalia too. She had Spikey punk style hair, lightning bolt studs in her ears, and wore eyeliner well. It rimmed her eyes that were the same ice blue color as Jason's. Her body was also lithe. Like a runner. "C'mon. Let's go talk in the living room," she says. I follow her to the living room and have a seat on the couch. "So what college do you go to?" Thalia asks me. "Oh! I go to Santa Monica College. I'm a writing major," I say. "Oh very nice," she says nodding her head approvingly. "Yeah. My dream is to move to Seattle and be a highly respected writer there," I say. "Well based on the way Jason says you write I have high hopes for you," Thalia says encouragingly.
"Thank you," I say, "So Jason you are training in archery for the Olympics. How's that going?" "Oh! Very well, I've beaten 3 records on time, score, and speed," Thalia says proudly. "Wow! That's amazing!" I say impressed. Just then I hear Jason call, "Dinner's ready!" "Come on," Thalia says then we head for the dining room. When we get there Jason asks, "Can you go get dad while I set up for dinner?" "Sure," She says heading back out. "What are we having for dinner?" I ask. "Oh! You'll see," Jason says with a smile. When he finishes setting up for dinner he goes back into the kitchen. That's when Thalia comes back in leading her father to the table. I walk over to him and extend my hand out for him to shake, "It's nice to meet you sir. My name's Gus." "Very well mannered for a young man," Jason's father says taking my hand in a firm grip and shaking it. He sits and Thalia does as well. I decide to follow.
Jason comes back out with a glass dish that looks like it's filled with chicken parmesan. Jason takes our plates and serves us. "Dig in," he says. We do and it's amazing. "You're a culinary genius," I say to Jason and give him a smile. He smiles back. After everyone has eaten a bit more Jason's father says, "Jason says you're in college. Which one do you study at?" "I go Santa Monica College. I'm a literary major," I say. "So you're not getting a real career?" Jason's father says. "Excuse me?" I ask offended. "Dad! That was really rude!" Jason says shocked. "How is it rude? Being a writer isn't a real job," he says. "Dad! Stop!" Jason says getting upset. "It's not like he'll get anywhere and if he thinks he will he's a fool!" Jason's father says with finality. I just sit there stunned at the verbal assault and put downs I received.
"Um… Thank you for dinner Jason but I have to go. Excuse me," I say getting up from the table and heading for the door. I grab my coat and head out the door. When I get to the street, I here Jason calling me name but I continue on. I'm half way down the street when Jason pulls up in his Camero. He calls out the window, "Gus! Please! I'm sorry! I can't believe he said that to you! Please get in! I believe in you and always will so please get it!" I stop and turn to him with tears stream down my face. He pulls over and gets out. He runs over to me and holds me tight. "I'm sorry," he says again and I just bury my face in his chest. When I stop crying he leads me to his car and takes me home. When we get there he follows me up and sits on the couch with me. I sit curled up laying my head on his chest. I look up at him and ask, "Will you spend the night again with me?" "Sure. Anything for you," He says. We get up and go to my room. He lies with his arms wrapped snugly around me. And we stay like that until we fall asleep.