The bar

Dinner at Houlihan's was exactly what both of us needed.

Simple.

Relaxed.

Comfortable.

The potato skins lived up to Jack's expectations.

The potato soup apparently changed his life.

At least according to him.

I laughed so hard at his dramatic review that people at the next table started looking over.

"I'm serious."

"You are not."

"I absolutely am."

"It's soup."

"It's great soup."

I shook my head.

"You need higher standards."

He pointed his spoon at me.

"I know what I like."

That only made me laugh harder.

By the time dinner ended, neither of us seemed interested in going home.

The evening was still young.

The weather was beautiful.

And somewhere over the past few days, spending time together had become effortless.

As we got into the car, Jack looked over at me.

"So."

"There it is."

"What?"

"The 'so.'"

He laughed.

"Fine."

"What?"

"What are you doing this weekend?"

I thought about it.

Honestly, I hadn't planned anything.

The last week had been such a whirlwind that I hadn't thought much beyond getting through each day.

"I don't know."

"No plans?"

I shook my head.

"Not really."

He smiled.

"I like that answer."

"Why?"

"Because it leaves room for possibilities."

I laughed.

"You're optimistic."

"I try."

We drove aimlessly for a while.

Windows down.

Music playing softly.

Talking about everything and nothing.

The conversation drifted from vacations we'd always wanted to take to embarrassing childhood stories.

At one point, Jack admitted he had once gotten stuck in a tree trying to rescue a kite.

I laughed so hard I nearly cried.

"A tree?"

"It seemed like a good idea."

"It never is."

"It wasn't."

The night felt easy.

Comfortable.

Then suddenly his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen and smiled.

"My mom."

I immediately smiled.

"Answer it."

He laughed.

"You sure?"

"Of course."

He tapped the button.

"Hey Mom."

I could hear a woman's voice immediately.

Loud.

Energetic.

Clearly related to Jack.

"Where are you?"

Jack laughed.

"Hello to you too."

"Don't get smart with me."

I immediately liked her.

Jack glanced over and smiled.

"Out."

"With Lela?"

My eyes widened slightly.

Apparently she already knew my name.

Jack noticed my reaction and laughed.

"Yes, Mom."

There was a brief pause.

Then her voice exploded through the speaker.

"Well why didn't you say so?"

I started laughing.

Jack covered his face.

"Mom."

"What?"

"We just had dinner."

"Good."

Another pause.

Then she continued.

"We're at the bar."

Of course they were.

Jack immediately sighed.

"Oh no."

I laughed.

His mother heard me.

"Was that her?"

Jack looked horrified.

"Mom."

"Was it?"

I couldn't stop laughing.

"Yes."

"Good."

Then she continued talking.

"We're doing karaoke."

Jack groaned.

"Absolutely not."

I laughed harder.

His mother ignored him.

"Tell Lela we're doing karaoke."

Jack looked at me.

"She says you're doing karaoke."

I shook my head.

"No."

His mother somehow heard me anyway.

"Yes, you are."

The woman was unbelievable.

Then she got to the point.

"Come meet us."

Jack looked over.

His expression clearly saying please save me.

Unfortunately for him, I was enjoying this.

"Where are you?"

He immediately looked betrayed.

His mother laughed triumphantly.

"Parma."

Jack groaned.

I couldn't stop smiling.

The more she talked, the more curious I became.

Finally, after several more minutes of playful arguing, Jack hung up.

The car became quiet.

Then we both started laughing.

"Your mother is terrifying."

"You're not wrong."

I smiled.

"Let's go."

He looked over.

"Seriously?"

"Why not?"

Jack stared.

Then shook his head.

"My family is going to love you."

I laughed.

"That's a dangerous statement."

"Probably."

About twenty minutes later, we pulled into the parking lot.

The bar was busy.

Music drifted through the open doors.

Laughter echoed from inside.

As soon as we entered, Jack immediately spotted his family.

There was no missing them.

His mother was standing near the karaoke stage talking animatedly with a group of people.

The second she saw Jack, she waved.

Wildly.

Embarrassingly.

Exactly the way mothers do.

I started laughing.

"Oh, that's definitely your mother."

"Unfortunately."

We made our way across the room.

The closer we got, the more excited she seemed.

Then Jack smiled.

"Mom."

She immediately hugged him.

Then turned toward me.

The moment she did, everything changed.

Her eyes widened.

Then widened even more.

I thought they might actually pop out of her head.

For a second she just stared.

Not rudely.

More like she'd seen a ghost.

I looked at Jack.

Jack looked at her.

Neither of us understood what was happening.

Finally she pointed.

"Wait."

I blinked.

"What?"

She looked at Jack.

Then back at me.

Then back at Jack again.

"You mean this is Lela?"

The entire table became quiet.

Jack frowned.

"Mom."

She ignored him completely.

Still staring at me.

"Oh my God."

I looked confused.

Jack looked confused.

Everyone looked confused.

His mother placed a hand over her heart.

"I have heard about you for months."

I immediately looked at Jack.

His face turned bright red.

The entire table erupted in laughter.

"Oh, this is fantastic."

Jack covered his face.

"Mom."

"What?"

"You promised."

"I lied."

More laughter.

I couldn't stop smiling.

For the first time all evening, Jack actually looked embarrassed.

And somehow, that was even more adorable than the potato soup conversation.

His mother grinned.

Then immediately pulled out a chair.

"Sit down."

I laughed.

"Okay."

She pointed at Jack.

"We have a lot to discuss."

And based on the smile on her face, I had a feeling the evening was about to become much more interesting.