Next Paige

"Does your father know about this?" Mom asked me with a serious tone.

"Dad?" I shook my head with a perplexed expression on my face. "No, not yet."

Ever since their divorce, she has never mentioned my father's name nor talk about him. At first it made me really sad, but as I grew older, I learned that it was my mother's way of coping with the pain from their separation. And the one who taught me that was Uncle Argus.

He told me that breaking up with the person that you have loved for a long time would feel like having one of your limbs cut off. Even though you know that there's no reason to hold on to it, you would still find yourself keeping it despite everyone around you telling you to let go. But the most difficult part was when you think that you've already moved on but you still get slapped in the face by that void that could never be satiated by anyone or anything else.

And there's nothing that could heal that wound except time.

She smirked as she finished her water. "I'd love to see that man's reaction when he finds out that his precious daughter is now a lady. I'd bet that he'll throw a fit and he won't give you the permission to date anyone until you graduate."

"I think so too." Arthur agreed as he started cleaning up the table. "But knowing that you don't have the luck when it comes to gambling, I'll bet on Uncle loving Fafa Craige."

I chuckled.

Arthur had a point.

Whenever we played cards, Mom would always win. But as soon as we put stakes on the table, she would keep losing.

Mom crossed her legs and flipped her hair. "Ha! You think he will take this news coolly?"

"No." Arthur shook his head with a smile as we exchanged glances. "I just think that you will lose the bet."

"I hope you're right." I nodded and smiled at Craige who was watching us with curiosity. So I explained to him. "Mom has the worst luck at betting."

"Oh." He nodded with a smile. And I found myself staring at him again.

'Why does he keep on looking so cute? This is bad.'

Mom waved her hand at Arthur then she smiled at Craige. "But, whether he approves or not, don't fret over it. His opinion on Zeanne's life has long been insignificant. You really didn't have to do all these formalities but I appreciate that you showed us such respect. That alone tells me a lot about you and I approve of it."

"Is that an approval already?" Arthur teasingly snuggled close to her. "They can start dating?"

Mom looked down at him and asked him the same question that I was thinking. "Why are you the one who seems to be more excited?"

"Mom, duh!" Arthur stood up and placed his hands on his waist. "That means we can have dinner! The turkey's been burning its bum in the oven for a long time now."

Mom sprang up to her feet and pushed past Arthur. "Oh my gosh! My turkey! Why didn't you say so earlier?!"

"You didn't ask." He shrugged then he grinned at Craige . "Congrats, bro!"

"Thanks." He said quietly. As soon as Arthur left to follow Mom to he kitchen, Craige turned to me and searched my face.

I grinned at him. "You did well."

He took me by surprise when he suddenly wrapped his arms around my neck and pulled me close for a hug. "I can't feel my legs."

I chuckled and patted his back. "There, there. It's over now."

To my disappointment he slowly pulled away. "No, it's not. I still have to meet your Dad."

"Don't worry about him."

He pinched my cheek with a huff. "How can I not worry?"

"You'll see what I mean when you meet him." I stood up and held out my hand to him which he took with a smile.

We followed Mom and Arthur to the kitchen. But as soon as we got there, Craige carefully let go of my hand which made me frown at him. "Why?"

"Nothing." He just smiled and patted my head then peered at Arthur who was struggling with taking out the turkey from the oven. "Need help?"

"Yeah." Arthur gave him another set of pink oven gloves. "This thing is so heavy. How were you able to stuff this in here Mom?"

"It's not that heavy, Arthur. That's why I told you to let me do it myself." She tried to push Arthur away but he didn't budge and just asked Craige to pull out the tray on his count.

With the two of them working well together, they managed to take out the ostrich that was pretending to be a turkey.

My eyes rounded in surprise as they set it down on the middle of the dining table. "Mom! Where did you buy this turkey? Why is it so big?"

She grinned proudly. "Because it has been fed well all its life."

Arthur wiped the sweat from his forehead from being exposed in front of the oven. "You mean it's obese?"

Mom swatted his arm. "Ssshh! How can you say that in front of her?"

I saw Craige look around as if trying to find something else to do.

"It's a she?" I took out the grape juice from the fridge then I pointed at the drawer. "Craige, Can you please take out the utensils from that drawer?"

He gladly complied and we started setting up the table together.

Mom prepared the sauce by the counter and briefly turned to me. "I think it's a girl. I didn't see anything dangling when I marinated it last night."

"Ladies, stop it! Why are you guys even discussing the turkey's gender? Please let it rest in peace." Arthur scratched the back of his head while looking for the knife.

"Are you sure it's a turkey?" Craige whispered behind me while I was filling our glasses.

Mom overheard him and patted his shoulder while laughing. "It's a turkey, honey. Don't worry. I won't be feeding you a pterodactyl on your first visit."

Arthur chuckled. "She'll cook one for you on your second visit."

When we were all seated on the table, we immediately started eating after we said a short prayer. But half-way through our meal, Mom suddenly froze with a frown on her face. "I feel like I forgot something."

I looked at her then I poked around the meat of the turkey. "Hm? The turkey looks okay though."

She took a bite and shook her head. "I'm not talking about the turkey."

"Mom, it's still too early for you to start showing symptoms." Arthur mischievously grinned at her.

"What symptoms?"

He took a sip of his juice before nonchalantly saying, "Symptoms of dementia."

Mom hit his arm with her napkin. "I don't have dementia."

He laughed out loud and took another serving. "If you say so."

"Let it be, Mom." I also put another serving on Craige's empty plate. "If you really did forget something, you're bound to remember it later."

"You're right." Mom smiled at Craige. "Eat a lot, honey. My daughter will be in your care so you have to eat well."

*CRASH*

We all turned towards the entryway of the dining room and saw Uncle Argus picking up the box of food supplements that fell on the floor.

"Darling!" Mom exclaimed in surprise.

Uncle looked at her with his eyes and lips drooping. "Darling… How could you start eating without me? I raced all the way here to make it for dinner."

"So that's what you forgot?" I turned to Mom with amusement.

"I'm so sorry, darling. I don't know where my mind was at." She took his bag from him and hung his coat on the chair. "Come now. I'm sure you're tired from work."

Uncle took his seat at the end of the table and as soon as he settled down, he cleared his throat while watching Craige with a piercing glance. "I see we have a guest."

Craige bowed his head stiffly. "I'm Craige, sir. I'm sorry for intruding on your dinner."

"What are you talking about, my boy? You're not intruding at all!" She slapped Uncle's arm. "Why would you make the boy feel uncomfortable?"

"What is he doing here?" Uncle whispered to my mom.

Arthur chuckled. "Dad, we can hear you."

"Really?" He looked around then his eyes settled on Craige. "Then tell me, my boy. To what do we owe the pleasure of having you?"

Craige was about to answer him but Mom cut him off. "He came to ask permission to date our daughter."

Uncle's eyes shot back at Craige and declared with a loud and deep voice. "I don't approve! I will not let you take my daughter!"

I saw Craige stiffen beside me and I frowned at Uncle. "Don't scare him like that."

Uncle's eyes softened and he chuckled. "Sorry. Sorry. I just wanted to try saying that."

"I can't believe that you actually said that." Mom shook her head while putting food on Uncle's plate.

"Thanks, dear." He gave Mom a soft smile then he turned back to Craige. "Our daughter will be in your care, son. Please be good to her."

"Yes, sir."

"Don't call me, sir. Just Daddy." He grinned.

Arthur raised an eyebrow at him. "Daddy?!"

"Uncle are you being serious right now?" My mouth gaped open from amusement.

"Why not?" He shrugged. "Since you refuse to call me Daddy, I should at least get your boyfriend to do it."

I would have protested if my tongue didn't get tied by his words. 'Boyfriend...'