I sat and waited as she paced.

“I’m not going to yell at you, scream at you or lose my temper with you. I’m not mad at you, Evan.”

“You’re not?” I asked looking up.

“I may be the only one who can understand what you’re going through.”

I waited and listened.

“When I met you’re mother, I was a bit older than you are now. There’s a seven year age difference between us.”

“I hadn’t really paid that any attention.”

“And nobody else does… except your mother.”

She sat next to me taking my hand.

“You’re not a little girl anymore and we have to accept that. You’re capable of making your own decisions. And even if we think they’re the wrong ones, you have to figure that out for yourself. The only thing we can do is advise you, nothing more. And hopefully none of them will do you bodily harm. And I certainly don’t think Serena will cause you bodily harm.”

“So you’re okay with me wanting to date Serena?”

“It’s not a question if I’m okay with it. As long as you’re happy then I will accept it… because you’re my daughter.”

She pulled me into a hug.

“Thanks, Mom.”

“I love you, know that.”

“I love you, too.”

*****

Round 2

“Are you finished? Can I talk to our daughter now?”

Mom and I pulled out of our hug to the sound of her voice above us.

“Excuse me, sweetie.”

Mom stood up and grabbed my mother’s hand dragging her a few feet away not wanting me to hear them. But I did.

“Do not hurt her,” she said leaving a threat in the air.

She walked back into the house.

My mother stood with her back turned where Mom had left her.

I waited.

“Why did this have to happen today?” she sighed.

“Huh?”

Turning around, “We were having such a good day and you were being such the good kid and we were being a family in a way that I had missed being,” she sort of explained.

“Even though you just said that, I still don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“Evan,” she sighed, “this thing between you and Serena…when did…I mean what is…”

“It just sort of happened,” I shrugged, “and I don’t want you to blame her. It was all me.”

“You started this?”

“I kissed her,” I confessed dropping my head.

“I know I should say something, but right now I’m completely blank.”

“More than once,” I whispered.

“What?!”

“I couldn’t help it. If you’d seen the way she was leaning against the fridge all helpless looking.”

“So you helped yourself to her lips,” she stated.

“Kind of.”

She let out a long breathe.

“Evan, she is nine years older than you.”

“You’re seven years older than Mom,” I countered.

“But we’re adults.”

“So am I,” I whined.

“You’re not sounding like an adult right now.”

“Why do you treat me like a five year old?” I huffed.

“Well maybe if you didn’t act like a five year old then I wouldn’t treat you like one. Honestly, Evan, you were a much better five year old then you are an eighteen year old. It is time for you to act your age.”

“That’s what I’m trying to do. But you won’t let me,” I said loudly walking away.

“You want to be an adult? Fine be an adult! Date Serena!”

“What?” I asked facing her.

“Do what you want. I give up,” she said throwing her hands up and walking away.

I can date Serena?

“I can date Serena?” I asked out loud.

*****