A Sudden Dinner

Stacy POV

After I have fed myself with a bowl of instant ramen, I return to do the remaining exercises. A few minutes onwards, I hand it in to June. As she checks and corrects the mistakes I did, my mom appears and put a box of chocolate cookies and a cup of milk on the table. It seems that she is in a good mood as she impulsively appears with the treats. “Here are the treats, Ms. Bentley. Please help yourself to enjoy,” She says as the smile shows on her beautiful face.

“Thank you, Ms. Barfield. I’m sorry for bothering you, anyway,” June utters while delaying her correction activity.

The woman in her fifties shakes her head a bit as she stares at me for a second. She then claims, “No, it’s not, Ms. It’s a pleasure to treat you with snacks. In fact, my beloved daughter also loves eating. You can actually notice that she gets puffier.”

While stating the fact, my mom cups my cheeks playfully. It is not a big deal for me since I’m not really slim. Even, in the previous days, Sam teases me about my weight. Nevertheless, this time, I feel so embarrassed. I can also feel that my cheeks are blushing, indicating that I’m not confident about my body. Therefore, I complain with irritated tone, “Stop it, Mom! Being puffier is just an accidental stuff for me.”

Listening to my tone, my mom widens her eyes. I can sense that she is shocked. Maybe, it’s the first time for me to complain about her teasing my body weight. However, June, with her brightening smile, doesn’t feel bothered. It seems that she is fine although my body becomes as fat as a guinea pig. Rather than adding a comment about my appearance, she chooses to continue her correction towards my work.

At the same moment, my mom utters an unexpected invitation to her, “Would you like to have a dinner with us, Ms. Bentley? You can consider it as a mingling time with our family since you date my beloved Sam.”

I then stare at my mom with a train of thoughts running in my mind. At the first stage, I assume that mom doesn’t really like the fact that Sam dates June, my private teacher who is just a student of Business Management Faculty in Riverdale University. However, after looking at the recent invitation coming out from her mouth, it seems that she is fine if my brother ends up with June. Another proof that really changes my previous assumption is how she nicely treats June although serving food may sound more like formalities to a guest.

“Am I not bothering your family time, Ma’am? I’m afraid if I’ll be too comfy here. Maybe, I may forget to return to my place.” June tries to make sure if she is really welcomed. She is always cautious when it comes to an invitation or other occasions.

“Nope. Obviously, not. I invite you for dinner because I’d like to know you better, including figuring out why my beloved son is so head over heels to you.” Mom responds in her joyful tune. Her eyes lit up as she streaks a gentle smile to June.

Once I hear the words refer to my brother is so madly in love with her, I really want to speak my heart out. I may say, ‘Dude, I’m also head over heels to June. Even, she makes me fall harder by taking care of me well’. However, it is not a piece of cake for me to do so. It is equal to drop a bombshell—revealing the truth my mom or dad never knows.

End of POV

-**-

In the course of time, the dinner time arrives. There are various type of home-cooking food served on the table. A few of them are cooked by Mrs. Barfield, while the rests are bought and sent by the delivery service of a nearby restaurant. As June joins the Barfield’s, they start chatting casually and enjoy the meals. Firstly, Mrs. Barfield opens by asking, “Well, what are your parents doing, June?”

“My dad is just a businessman, but he is not the most successful one, and my mom is just a housewife.” June state directly with her conflicted gazes. It seems that a question about her family hits a nerve since she hasn’t in-contact with them for quite long time.

“Oh, a big cheese. What is he working on exactly?” Mr. Barfield throws a question with excited tone since he is also a businessman without any big achievements and reputation.

June stares at him nervously. She is not embarrassed with the truth that she is a daughter of a businessman working on property stuffs. Even so, she is not comfortable when she recalls about her rocky relationship with her dad. Therefore, she tells the truth, “He works on property field, the house developer.”

“What a stable job! Is it the biggest one?” Mrs. Barfield asks as her face lights up, channeling that she is surprised mixed of amazed by June’s family background. Besides that, she begins to assume if June’s family may be rich and quite prestigious.

At that point, Sam notices that her mom may sound a bit nosier, so he warns, “Mom, please don’t interfere her personal life too much. She may be uncomfortable.”

While her brother cuts the conversation, Stacy pour cream chowder into a bowl carefully and gives it to June. “Enjoy it while it’s warm,” She says.

Then, June smiles while receiving a bowl of the soup. That simple attitude of the blonde girl makes Stacy smitten easily. It is very common to see her crush smiling or yelling, due to the private lesson time. However, Stacy never feels enough of her smiles. She always crave of everything related to June, no matter how often she sees her in weeks or months. It can be said that June has been her obsession on the first time meeting.

Feeling a butterfly in her stomach, Stacy carelessly takes a spoonful of hot cream chowder and eats it. “OUCHHH!” She yells as a sharp burning sensation lingers on her tongue.

“Are you okay, Stacy?? Wait for a second!” June looks panic while standing from her chair and seeks for the first-aid kit box.

TO BE CONTINUED..