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"Eh, it's not just that... I wasn't exactly dressed the way most mothers would approve of, and then I dozed off at your house like that... It just seemed kinda rude." He headed towards the back room to dispose of the tub of water, returning shortly afterward.
"And the other night, she didn't really seem... I dunno how to explain it. Maybe your mom's just different and doesn't follow the usual pattern of parental behavior towards who her child is dating." He shrugged a little, then glanced up at the clock. |
North chuckled, shaking her head, "My mom's pretty unusual. But she was young once too. I think she noticed it, but she talks sometimes about her odd phases from high school. I think Grandma has a picture of her dressed in some truly heinous rocker chick clothes. So I doubt you frightened her that much."
North couldn't help but keep smiling, "And remember, I dozed off too. It's not like we were situated on the couch in a compromising position or anything. And as for the track meet, she was just giving us some space. Don't worry, she likes you. Actually she was saying we ought to have you over to dinner sometime if you're interested." |
"Sure, but you might have to be patient on that. The next couple weeks are kinda busy for me. Several more track meets, and I'll be doubling my shifts here while co-workers take their vacation time. Unless you don't mind a late or really early dinner."
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North nodded, "No that's fine. Whenever you're free will be alright. My mom would just like the chance to get to know you a bit better, to be sure you're not some sort of bad boy come to lure her precious baby girl into a life of sex, drugs, and delinquency."
She chuckled a bit and winked, clearly teasing Dexter about the last statement. |
"Drugs are for people too weak to deal with reality, delinquency is in the eye of the beholder, and sex is for when you know you have a future with that person," Dexter replied in a half-mutter, now sweeping up the floor of the shop.
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North blinked, then arched an eyebrow, "Er... Dexter, I was teasing you. She's not worried about it, really. I'm smart enough not to get drawn into stupid crap..."
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"I know. I just..." He sighed, shaking his head a bit as he continued sweeping. "I've never really worried about making impressions before..."
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North knit her eyebrows together, then went and took Dexter's arm softly, "Hey... relax... my mom likes you. She saw how you looked out for that other guy during the track meet. Just relax, be yourself, and you'll be fine, ok?"
She gave his arm a squeeze, and then leaned up and kissed him softly on the cheek before letting go of his arm and tanding back, still holding the parcel of cookies. |
"I'm still worried..." He put the broom away, then stood in front of her. "I don't know where this might go, but I want to give it a chance. A good chance. But I promise I won't push anything farther than you want it to go, if you promise me the same. I like you, so I worry about what your mom thinks of me."
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North blushed, smiling warmly, "Well, the best we can do is to relax and take it as it comes. Trust me, that my mother likes you. Just be your sweet self and we'll see where this all leads us, alright? There's nothing to worry about."
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"'My sweet self'? Oh, you mean how I get tired of bullshit and end up slugging some brute in the face?" he asked with a weak smile. "I have a temper and you know it. And you know I'm not the friendliest of sorts."
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North snorted a bit, then nodded, giggling to herself, "Ok that's true. But you're sweet to Thaddeus, and to me. And it's sweet that you care about how my mother thinks of you. So that's enough. I'm not sweet to bullies and jerks either."
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"Alright," he sighed. "I get off work tonight around nine. If it's not too late for you, we can do something then. If not, then I guess we'll have to figure something out later on in the week. I have another track meet tomorrow night, I work late the day after, and I'll be out of town this weekend at a competition."
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North smiled, "Yeah just give me a call and we can hang out if you like. I'm not sure Mom wants me to be out too late, but maybe we can play games or something together?"
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"Yeah, I'll call you and see if you're up to spending some time together, and if your mom doesn't mind." He looked looked up when he heard his name being called from somewhere beyond the room behind the register.
"Listen, I gotta keep working. I'll talk to you later, okay?" |
North smiled, nodding, "It's alright. I'll talk to you later. Don't forget your cookies."
She smiled, pressing the parcel into his hands and popping up on her toes to kiss his cheek, "Have a good rest of the day, alright?" |
"I'll try," he told her with a nod. "Talk to you later!" He hurried off to see what his manager wanted from him.
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Later that evening, North was sitting upside down on the sofa in the living room, with her legs draped over the back. She was eating from a bowl of popcorn and watching television from her inverted position. Her mother was sitting beside her and playing a handheld game, which she cursed at every now and then.
North glanced up at her mom and chuckled, "I told you it was tougher than it looks." "No kidding, I'm starting to hate this game." "That's why I think I might sell it back. It's really too hard to be fun. I don't mind a challenge, but this is ridiculous..." |
After being allowed to leave work before nine, Dexter pulled out his cellphone on his way to the bus stop. Dialing North's number, he stuck his hand in his pocket and wondered if she'd still want to do anything.
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North raised her eyebrows when the phone on the coffee table started to ring. She reached out and grabbed it, flipping it open as she brought it to her ear, "Hello?"
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"Hey, my boss let me off early tonight. Do you wanna do something together or just talk on the phone or something? I need to know so I know what bus to get on."
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North smiled, "Sure! I'd love to hang out. I already told Mom, so she's fine if you want to come out here and play games or something. Is that alright with you?"
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"Yeah, that's fine," he replied, nodding even though she couldn't see him. "I should be there in about twenty minutes or so. See you then."
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"Sure thing! I'll see you then!"
About the time Dexter was supposed to arrive, North was sitting upright on the sofa and playing with a Rubix cube while she glanced at the door from time to time. Dierdre came out of the kitchen, munching on a muffin. She smiled and shook her head at her daughter, "Don't look so anxious, he'll be here soon, silly girl." |
Not long after, Dexter found himself knocking on the door to North's house. Running his hand a little anxiously through his hair, he adjusted a strap of his backpack to make it more comfortable on his shoulder. He was a bit nervous and didn't want to leave a bad impression on North's mother.
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