I look up at her, and her eyes widen as understanding dawns on her. She sits beside me again.
“Oh, Dee. I’m sorry. I guess I assumed too much. I thought you’d want to stay with me. My parents have never had an issue with my sexuality, and I’ve never brought a girlfriend home before, so when they heard I was bringing you, they were more than thrilled.” She looks around the room and wrinkles her brow, thinking.
“You haven’t brought any other girlfriends home with you?”
“Nope. They knew a girl I went out with in high school, but it’s not like she stayed over or anything.”
“Aw, Ash. That makes me feel really special.”
“Well, duh. You are really special.” She reaches for my hand. “But if it makes you uncomfortable, I can sleep in my dad’s office. The couch pulls out to a bed.”
“No.” I shake my head and squeeze her hand to borrow some of her strength. “I’m okay. I don’t want to hide from your parents. They’re obviously not like my parents, and they seem supportive of you. Of us. What about Kenny?”
“My mom and I already discussed Kenny.”
I cover my face with my hands. “Oh my God. Really?”
“Yes, really.” She pulls my hands down. “He probably won’t notice, or he’ll just think we’re having a sleepover. My mom doesn’t think it’s an issue at all.”
“Okay, but I’m not fooling around with your parents right upstairs.”
She rolls her eyes. “Whatever floats your boat, but you know you can’t keep your hands off of this...” She stands up, holds her hands above her head, and sways her hips seductively, then laughs.
I don’t laugh, because she’s got that right.
Chapter Sixteen
~Ashley~
I THINK IT’S safe to say that my family is the best around, even Kenny and his boisterous personality and unfiltered comments. We’re almost done with dinner and my mom and dad have both acted as if nothing out of the ordinary is happening at our dinner table, when in fact it’s the first and only time I’ve had a girlfriend over. Delilah has laughed and smiled and talked like she’s hanging out with old friends, and that’s more than I could have hoped for.
“Dinner was wonderful, Mrs. Carver. Thank you.”
Mom waves again. “It was nothing, but thank you. I’m glad you liked it.”
“Are you guys going out with Bolton tonight? He said you might go. Carly’s going, too. I love Carly. She’s so funny with all that hair. She looks like Carrothead.” Kenny stops only to inhale, and I cut him off.
“Carrot Top, and how do you even know Carrot Top?” I ask.
“The Internet. Duh.” He wipes his face on his sleeve.
“Napkin,” Mom reminds him.
“Why? I just wiped my mouth. Can I be excused?” He’s up on his feet before she can answer.
“You have twenty minutes before your dress rehearsal,” she calls after him as he heads for the stairs. “Brush your teeth and hair and wash your hands, please.” She turns her attention back to us. “Are you going out with Bolton? It’ll be nice to see your friends again.”
I glance at Delilah to see if she’s changed her mind and she nods, smiles.
“Yeah, I guess we are.” I say it like it’s no big deal, but it’s another very big deal.
Mom reaches her hand toward Delilah and presses it to the table beside Delilah’s.
“Delilah, honey. Ashley told us about your parents. I’m so very sorry, and I just want you to know, I’m here.” She looks up at Dad, then back at Delilah. “We’re here. If you and—your brother, right? Wyatt?” She doesn’t wait for her to answer, and I’m not sure Delilah could respond if she wanted to. She looks like her throat has thickened. She’s swallowing hard, over and over. “If you need anything at all, just let us know. Or if you want to talk. I’m a great listener.”
“Thank you.” Delilah reaches for my hand under the table.
She laces our fingers together, and when she shifts her eyes to mine, they’re damp, but her lips curve into a slight smile. I’m sure she’s missing her mom.
We help my mom clear the table, and I pull Delilah aside and ask again if she’s okay.
“Yeah. Your mom is so sweet.”
Mom comes out of the kitchen to retrieve more dishes, and Delilah carries the glasses in behind her. My father pulls me aside while they’re in the kitchen.
“She seems really lovely, pumpkin, and she looks at you like you’re heaven and earth combined.” He hugs me close.
I love that he can see the way she always makes me feel. I pick up a few plates and carry them into the kitchen, stopping at the entranceway when I hear Delilah thanking my mother.