Jayden
I sat around the dinner table with Allison and her family before I announced, “I’m serious, I can head home tonight.”
Liz shot me a playful glance, her eyes sparkling with mirth. “Oh no, you’re not moving an inch, Jayden. You’re staying right here tonight, and I’ll make sure of it.”
She winked, her voice dripping with warmth. “In fact, I’ll go hide your car keys so that you can leave tomorrow morning. Please, don’t even think about saying no.”
I chuckled, my eyes crinkling at the corners, and held up my hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright, I’m not leaving.”
Liz beamed, patting Allison’s shoulder, who offered a small, enigmatic smile before returning to her meal.
As the evening wore on, my gaze drifted to Sally, who was pushing her food around her plate with a listless air. Her eyes, normally bright and sparkling, seemed dull and troubled now. My expression softened, my brow furrowing in concern.
“Sally, is everything alright?” I asked, my voice low and gentle, inviting her to open up. “You know you can tell us anything, you know.”
Sally’s gaze fluttered up to meet mine, and for a moment, we just looked at each other, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Then, her eyes dropped, and she signed, “I’m just tired, that’s all.”
My eyes lingered on her face before I finally looked away. We soon finished dinner, and the girls excused themselves, leaving Liz and me to clear the table.
She began heading to the kitchen, but I intervened, “Let me help you.”
Liz smiled, “No, no, I’ve got this. It’s just a few dishes. Almost done.” But I insisted, and together we carried the dishes to the kitchen.
As we worked side by side, washing and arranging the dishes, the silence between us stretched until she broke it, her voice filled with warmth. “Jayden, I want to thank you.”
I turned to her, curious, “What for?”
“I’ve never seen Allison smile like that before. Not since… after everything happened. You brought that genuine smile to her face, and I’m grateful.”
My face grew warm, and I looked away, trying to hide my emotions.
“What’s going on between you two though?” she asked, raising a brow. “I’m sure there’s something.”
I chuckled, feeling a bit self-conscious, and admitted, “We’ve decided to give our relationship another shot. I promise to take care of her, to stay with her forever.”
Liz’s face lit up with a warm smile. “That’s wonderful. Please, don’t break her heart. Stay with her, okay?” She paused, her expression turning serious. “And if there’s ever any issue, you can come to me. I’ll do my best to reconcile and help you both.”
I smiled in gratitude toward her. A few minutes later, we finished up in the kitchen.
Then, I headed upstairs, and I considered stopping by my old room, but then I thought better of it. I wanted to be with Allison, so I decided to go to her room. Just as I was about to get to her door, the other one beside me swung open, and I turned to see Sally emerging from her room.
She signed to me in a gentle, flowing motion, her hands weaving a silent question: “Can I talk to you?”
I nodded, and she replied with a slight smile, her eyes sparkling in the dim light.
I followed her into her room, and she shut the door behind us. Then, I took a seat in the chair, while Sally sat on the bed, her hands folded in her lap.
“What’s up?” I asked her.
Sally’s hands began to move, signing in a slow, deliberate pace. “My mom is back,” she conveyed.
I nodded, and Sally’s eyes searched mine, as if seeking reassurance.
“I know,” I finally signed back. “Allison told me she came back three days ago.”
“You aren’t surprised? I mean, this means Elizabeth isn’t my biological mom.” She signed.
“I was surprised at first.”
Sally’s hands stilled, and she regarded me with a thoughtful gaze.
Then, her hands began to move again, signing with a quiet intensity. “My mom came back because…” Sally conveyed, her eyes clouding over. “Because she wants to get married to someone around here.”
“Do you mean that she actually came back here not because of you, but because she wanted to get married here?” I asked, a frown on my face.
Sally’s hands moved in a slow, deliberate pace, conveying her emotions. “I really don’t know…but I wish to understand that she came back for me.”
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Wow. So, are you really saying that the person she’s in love with lives around here?”
Sally’s hands hesitated before signing, “Yeah. She says he’s a widower with two kids.”
I let out a low whistle. “That’s quite a situation. So, what do you want to do now? If she moves in with this person, will you move in too?”
“I’m not sure. My mom wants me to move in with her, but Elizabeth wants me to stay with her.”
“Can I ask a question? I don’t know if it’s too personal…”
Sally’s hands paused, and she looked at me with a curious expression. “Yes, what is it?”