Beth was curled up next to Nick, asleep on his chest. She was snoring softly. Nick looked up sleepily. He had been stroking his girlfriend’s hair gently. Infomercials were playing on TV.
“That is too cute,” Ms. Willow said softly. “I think you’re good for her.” She grabbed a camera off the counter and snapped a picture. “Any reason you’re watching this weight-loss thing?” she asked.
“I couldn’t reach the remote and I didn’t want to wake up Beth. She looked so peaceful.” He paused. “I should probably be getting home. It’s eleven-thirty.”
“Well, thank you very much for helping Beth out.” She reached into her purse and pulled out twenty dollars. “Here.”
“No, that’s okay,” he said.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I wasn’t here to get paid. I was here to hang out with your daughters,” he insisted. “But thank you anyway.”
She shrugged and put it back in her purse as he eased his way off the sofa, trying not to wake Beth. “Good night, Nick.”
“Good night, Judy. If Beth wakes up, tell her I said good night.”
“Okay. Thanks again,” she said as he slipped out the back door.
A few minutes later, he was sitting at the kitchen table with his mom. “So, Nickolas, are we ever going to meet this mystery girl you’re so happy about?” she asked.
“Sure, I guess,” he replied. “Do you want to invite her over for dinner or something?”
“Hmm…your father works late Friday, and the twins have a music concert at school on Thursday, so the only day this week would be tomorrow. Do you think that would work for her?”
“I’m not sure, I’ll ask her. She should be able to come.”
“What’s her little sister like?”
“She’s adorable. It was so cute to watch how the two acted towards each other. They have a really strong bond. I wish I had that with my brothers and sisters.”
“You do. I watch how you act with Aaron. He adores you, you know. He wants to be just like you.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, he always tells me how he wants to sing, and all the girls always talk about how much they miss you when you’re gone. You’re their big brother. Even though It may not seem like it, they really do want you around.”
“I feel bad because I get so frustrated with them sometimes. I think I need to work on my patience.”
“I think you’re pretty good with them as long as you’re in an okay mood. They love you.”
He smiled. “I’m glad.”
“I’m going to bed, honey. Make sure you ask Beth if she wants to come to dinner on Friday,” she reminded him.
“I will, Mom. Good night!”