My question got Mom’s attention too. She looked at me and then back at my father as we both awaited his answer.
“James, I think that’s a reasonable solution. That way you can meet the young man and get to know him. What do you say?” She asked.
His eyebrows furrowed as he deliberated. “Fine. But this doesn’t change the fact that I don’t think you’re ready for a relationship.”
“I understand. I just want you to meet him and then we can go from there,” I replied excitedly.
My mother seemed pleased that he’d agreed to meet AJ. I couldn’t help but to smile too although there was the slightest hint of nervousness. I considered disclosing AJ’s race to daddy, but decided that would probably make it into a bigger deal than it was. So, Daddy wouldn’t know any of the details until they met face to face.
Excited, I immediately ran up to my room to tell AJ the good news. “Hello?” He answered “Hey. What would you say if I asked you to come over to meet my father this Saturday? We can talk with my parents for a while and then just hang out here after that.”
AJ was silent for a while which made my enthusiasm fade. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” He asked.
“Yeah, I think if he meets you he’ll like you and stop pressuring me to leave you alone.”
There was another moment of silence. “If you think that’ll help, I’ll be there.” He said reluctantly.
“Good. I’ll let you know the time and everything later.” I was trying to be optimistic, but AJ’s skepticism had me second guessing myself. Was this a bad idea?
The next day at lunch I avoided my friends…..or whatever they were to me now, and went straight for my newly claimed table. They were talking and laughing amongst themselves, but I didn’t allow myself to look their way. I was still uncomfortable, but I made up my mind not to let them see that I was bothered. The bell sounded and I couldn’t get out of there quick enough. Thankfully, it was Friday and I wouldn’t have to deal with them anymore until after the weekend, and by Monday, AJ would be back.
Mom came up to my room immediately after she returned home from work. She seemed a little anxious. “So did you talk to AJ about coming by tomorrow?”
“Yeah. He’ll be here.”
“Is he nervous?” She asked.
“No I wouldn’t say nervous, but maybe unsure.”
She paused for a minute and bit her lip thoughtfully. “Do you think it might be a good idea to wait a little longer? You know, maybe until around your birthday when the mood is a little lighter around here. That’s only a month away, and that would give you and AJ time to see if you’re really serious about one another.”
I thought about it and decided that maybe she was right. Not about needing time to see if it would last, but to let things die down around here. “Yeah, that might be better.”
“And plus we’re going to have the rest of the family over here too, so your father won’t be able to focus as much attention on AJ and you’ll get to introduce him to all yours cousins and aunts and uncles,” she smiled. “It’ll be nice.”
The thought of him meeting my whole family made me a little anxious, but mom was right. With company around, Daddy was less likely to hassle AJ
“I’ll call him and let him know that the plan has changed,” I assured her.
“Ok, and I’ll tell your father as soon as he gets home.” She smiled again, and walked out of my room to give me privacy while I made the call.
“Hey,” AJ answered.
“Hey. Busy?”
“Just at the mall, but I’m never too busy for you. What’s up?”
I took a deep breath before speaking. “Well…..my mom and I were talking and what do you think about waiting to meet my father at a later date – like around my birthday. We usually just combine it with Thanksgiving because it’s always so close. What do you think?”
He paused for a minute. “Yeah, that sounds fine.”