Chapter 34

Amy said goodbye to her dad after giving him a goodbye kiss on the cheek and asking him to take good care of himself. She drove off in her porsche, heading for a designer’s boutique to get a dress for her date. After shopping, she drove to a beauty salon to get her hair and nails done. When she was through with that, she stopped by a mall to get shortbread cookies for her little brother, Carl before driving straight to her mom’s house.

Amy arrived at her mom’s place at exactly 3:00pm. She was immediately welcomed by a very hyper Carl.

“Someone’s in a really good mood” She said as she lifted her brother off the ground.

“Gosh! You’re even bigger than the last time” She exclaimed as she walked into the living room where her mom was seated on one of the couch.

“Mom, what are you feeding this little angel?”

Carl giggled at his sister’s question and held her even tighter.

“You see, he’s gonna fall off any minute” She joked, feigning tiredness.

“You and I are gonna go on a diet” Amy wiggled Carl’s nose with her index finger, as she settled on the couch, placing him comfortably on her lap. Her action made Carl giggle even more.

“No!” He then said in his adorable voice, trying to wriggle his way off her lap.

“Oh no! I’m not gonna do this alone. You and I are in this together” Amy replied, giving him a little tickle on his stomach at the same time, trying to hold him in place.

“Where’s your suitcase?” Paula asked, enjoying the scene before her. She watched her children exchange hushed whispers, like they were keeping a secret, with a fond smile.

“It’s still in the trunk… This little guy right here didn’t give me the chance to get it out of the trunk, along with some other things I bought on my way here” Amy eventually replied after she and Carl have had their moment.

“I can see that” Her mom said with a smile, not doubting Amy one bit.

Carl was super excited when she told him that Amy was coming over. He kept staring out the window, eagerly awaiting his sister’s arrival and now that she’s here, he doesn’t want her out of his sight.

“C’mon champ, let’s go get some goodies out of the trunk”

“Yaay!”

With their fingers entwined, Amy and Carl walked out of the living room. After a few minutes, they walked back in with a few shopping bags, Amy’s small suitcase and smiles on their faces.

“I can tell from your smile, that you two are up to something. So.. what is it this time?”

Amy and Carl shared knowing looks and before Paula could utter any more words, Carl was running up the stairs.

“Don’t forget to keep mine!” Amy yelled before Carl was out of sight.

“What did you get him this time?” Paula asked with her hands folded on her chest.

“Um. Just some cookies, candy and… Ice cream?” Amy replied, pretending to be unsure of her answer.

“If I can’t get him to sleep tonight, you’ll have to cancel your date” Her mom said with a serious voice, earning a pout from Amy.

“You know you’re the best mom in the world and I love you so much!”

“Tell me about it” There was heavy sarcarm in Paula’s voice. She knew Amy was only complimenting her so she won’t have to cancel her date.

Whoever this guy is, her daughter is totally into him. She can tell.

“Have I told you how beautiful your skin looks? You need to fill me in on your secret… What moisturizer do you use? Hmm?” Amy tried again, hugging her mom from behind.

“It’s not gonna work, sweetie. So, don’t bother trying”

Amy sat back on the couch and exhaled deeply. She gave up trying to sweet talk her mom.

“You can’t blame us though, mom… If we both have a sweet tooth, then it’s definitely coming from you”

“What?!”

Amy snickered at her mom’s reaction, as Paula had a dazed expression. She knew she had just hit the nail on the head and if she’s right, her mom would change the conversation right now, since she couldn’t come up with any excuse. And just like Amy predicted, Paula decided to drop the subject.

“When is this date of yours?”

Amy smirked in victory. Her parents are so predictable.

“Seven” She simply replied, playing with her phone. Her small suitcase and shopping bags long forgotten at the foot of the stairs.

“I can tell you’re really excited about this date” Paula teased, causing Amy to blush.

“I can’t believe I don’t even get to do your hair” There was a hint of sadness and disappointment in Paula’s voice, making Amy feel guilty for going to a salon.

She had thought that her mom would be too busy to help her out in getting ready for her date.

“I’m sorry, mom. I thought you’d be busy” She sincerely explained in a small voice.

“It’s okay, baby. I was just being dramatic..” Paula joined her daughter on the couch, putting her arm around her.

Amy leaned into her mom, enjoying her warmth, since moments like this were rare between them.

“But, I get to do your makeup, right?”

Amy nodded with a chuckle, as she thought they had ended that discussion.

“Now, let’s go see what you picked out for your date. But, first… I’ll go get us something to drink” Paula said, standing up from the couch.

“Can I have a little snack before getting ready?” Amy requested because she didn’t want to go on her first date hungry.

Paula looked at Amy like she just said the most ridiculous thing.

“What?” Amy couldn’t help but ask.

“Who eats before going on a date?”

“I do”

“You don’t count since this is your first date… Look honey, he’s obviously taking you out for dinner, so there’s no need for that. And trust me… You don’t wanna look like a stuffed chicken in your dress”

“Mom!” Amy exclaimed in disbelief. She should’ve followed Carl to his bedroom, now she’s going to go on her first date on an empty stomach.

This is just not her day.

“Alright, alright. Because I love you so much, I’m gonna get you a bowl of Doritos, just so you can chew on something” Her mom said in conclusion before making her way to the kitchen.

“I don’t need a bowl, mom. I need the whole pack!” Amy shouted, running after her mom.