Ann waves as we pull to a stop in the driveway. “Where have you guys been?” she asks as we pile out of the car.
I’m fuming inside, but I try not to lose my cool in front of Tanner. “I was just about to ask you the same thing.”
Ann gleefully holds up a white paper bag. “Sushi! Oh my gosh, at first I thought I was going to puke. But after that it was kind of good.”
Tanner stands up as we approach. “Hi. I’m Tanner.”
“So I’ve heard,” I say, finding it hard not to clench my teeth. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Hey Cade,” Tanner says, holding up a smaller paper bag. “I brought you something.”
“Eww. No way. I hate fish.”
“It’s not sushi, dude. Trust me, you’ll like it.”
Reluctantly, Cade takes the offering. Inside is an assortment of goodies from the candy store.
“They’re rejects,” Tanner explains. “Broken pieces we can’t sell. But they still taste good. I thought you and Bree would like them.”
As if on cue, Bree waves daintily at him, her cheeks blushing profusely.
Oh great—two teenage girls, one teenage boy. As if we need any more drama this summer…
“So I have to share?” asks Cade.
“Of course you have to share,” I tell him before Tanner can respond. “Thank you, Tanner. That’s very nice of you.”
He nods, then checks his watch. “Well, I should probably get going. My mom doesn’t know where I’m at.”
Sounds familiar.
Then the most awkward thing happens, or at least I find it awkward. Without so much as a hesitation, Tanner turns to Ann, opens his arms wide, and gives her a hug! Right there in front of me! Didn’t they just barely meet? How did they progress to hugging so quickly? When I was a teenager, it took more than a single afternoon together to reach hugging status, and I would have never done so with someone’s mom watching!
“Thanks,” he says. “I had fun.”
“Me too.” Ann is practically glowing. “Thanks for the sushi.”
Behind them, Bree is glowering.
“So are we on for tomorrow?” asks Tanner.
Ann shifts her gaze to me and smiles. “Mom, can I hang out with Tanner tomorrow?”
“Define ‘hanging out.’”
“You know, just chill at the beach and stuff.”
“And maybe surfing,” says Tanner. “She said it sounds fun.”
“Surfing? Ann, you know I can’t let you do that. What if you—?”
“Freeze? You’re right, the water is really cold and I don’t have a wet suit. Plus, I’m probably not a strong enough swimmer. Maybe I can just watch him surf?”
I am utterly stunned by my daughter’s comments. Why would Ann suggest that she’s a weak swimmer, when she’s already proven to be one of the best in the entire state of Oregon? After an extended silence, I finally say, “We’ll talk about it. I’m not sure what we have going on tomorrow, since your father will be here. He may already have something in mind.”
“Oh right,” Ann drones. “Dad is coming tonight. You know what, Tanner? Maybe we should just wait until Monday to do something.”
“No prob. I’ll come straight over after work. See you then.” With that the young man turns to go. Before he gets very far, I ask if he needs a ride home, to which he chuckles and says, “Nah, I only live a few blocks away. Isn’t that so cool? I don’t even have to have a car, and I can still come see Ann all the time.”
Forgive me if my nod and tone are somewhat unenthusiastic. “Yeah. So cool.” Once Tanner is out of earshot, I let out an exasperated breath and then shoo everyone inside. “On the couches. I only have three questions—one for each of you—but that should be enough.”
As instructed, the kids file into the tiny living room and plop down on the sofa. They are seated side by side, with Cade in the middle.
“All right. Let’s start with the easiest question first. Cade…”
“Uh-huh,” he says weakly.
“What do you know about this Tanner kid?”
He sits up, pleasantly surprised. “That’s an easy question.”
“And the answer is…?”
“Not much,” he replies with an honest shrug.
“Well, just tell me what you do know, even if it’s only a little.”
“OK. Ummm…he’s seventeen. His parents are divorced. He used to live in Portland, but now he lives here with his mom. Uh…his name is Tanner. And…he works at the candy store.” He pauses, pursing his lips as he tries to think of anything else. “Oh, and he lives just a couple blocks away. And he surfs.” He pauses once more, glancing nervously at Bree. “And…Bree thinks he’s her type. At least that’s what she said right after she met him.”