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I laugh inwardly at how familiar and predictable Norah is. I could lie and tell her that these are just backups, but who am I kidding? If I’m not eating out, then I’m eating all of this so-called junk.
“I won’t stand for it! You are coming to dinner tomorrow night at our house! Your mother would be horrified if she found out that I knew about this and didn’t feed you!”
I can’t resist messing with her just a little. “Good thing she is out of the country for the next couple of weeks then, isn’t it?”
The look on Norah’s face is everything. She swats my arm then gives it a squeeze. “Tomorrow, 7:00.”
“I’ll be there.” I comply knowing there is no use in arguing, plus I haven’t had a Norah Jacobson home cooked meal in years. “Do you need me to bring anything?”
I know the answer, but my mother would be more upset if she found out I was rude than she would be to find out I was getting a majority of my groceries from the freezer aisle. I learned all my culinary prowess from her after all.
“Just your handsome self.” I haven’t been called handsome so many times in one day in a very long time. I’m starting to feel like I’m in grade school and it’s picture day. “I’m sure you have seen Ben, and you have already seen Millie, but the rest of the family will be so happy to see you! And Jonathan will be there, of course. I’m still trying to convince Rosie that she needs to come.”
“It’s quite the drive for her, and she is in the middle of midterms.” I have no idea if you even have midterms when studying fashion, but it seems like a plausible enough excuse. I also know that if Norah wants to get Rosie there enough, she will get her there. Even if it takes convincing Dan to go up and pick her up. If it’s what she wants, he will make it happen.
I say goodbye to Norah, and I finish my shopping, processed food and all.
The next day I text Ben to check in.
Mark: Hey man, what time are you getting to your parents’ house tonight?
Ben: Norah caught you already? She’s really stepping up her game.
Mark: Ran into her at the grocery store last night. Think my cart about gave her a heart attack.
Ben: Let me guess, you were in the frozen food aisle.
Mark: You know me well.
I smile at the ease that comes when talking with Ben. Then I feel guilty for not making more of an effort to see him since I’ve been back. We’ve texted and tried to make plans, but it just hasn’t happened. He has his own life and family now.
Ben: That I do.
Ben: Belinda hasn’t been feeling well so I will probably only make an appearance.
Ben: Probably right at 7.
Mark: Leaving me alone in the lions’ den, huh?
Ben: Hey, what do you want me to do, abandon my pregnant wife in her dire need?
I roll my eyes. And there it is. The real reason why I haven’t seen Ben since I’ve been back. Belinda is anything but helpless, but she has Ben wrapped around her finger, and he will do anything and everything she says. It’s like how his parents are and yet so different. Norah isn’t manipulative; she is fully capable and independent. No one knows that more than Dan. He just wants to be the one who helps her dreams become a reality. I don’t understand the spell Belinda has Ben under. It’s gotten worse the longer they have been together. I’ve tried everything to get along with her, and it’s better than it used to be. At least I don’t think she is Maleficent anymore. I still don’t like her, but she’s tolerable. At least in small doses. It also doesn’t necessarily mean I want to spend time with her. Or earn her wrath for hanging out with Ben when he would otherwise be with her.
Driving up to the Jacobson home feels strange after so many years away. It also feels the most at home I have felt since being back. The whole drive had me swimming in memories. I pass the field where Dan taught us how to drive—in a golf cart, because no one would have been dumb enough to give us keys to an automobile right away. It’s also where he taught all of us older boys how to throw and catch a baseball then watched us as we practiced on weekends and during breaks from school.
The road curves bringing me to the area that becomes Santa’s Village every December, turning all thoughts and memories back to Millie. I can’t get what Nancy said out of my head.
“I’ve never seen her so animated.”
“She was glowing.”
What do I do with that? Up until yesterday, the last time I saw her, I was holding her in my arms as we danced at Ben’s wedding. If I hadn’t still technically been with Natasha, I might have kissed her. There was definitely a charge between us that day. Even in that ridiculous dress Belinda made her wear, she took my breath away. She noticed that I wasn’t myself despite having put my mask in place. Millie has always noticed things about me that no one else does. She also has a way of getting me to open up.
I jump when there is a knock on my car window. I’m on such autopilot it didn’t even register that I had parked. I look up to see Ben waiting expectantly.
“About time!”
“Benny Boy!” I can’t resist using the childhood nickname he hates. I get out of my car and give him a hug. “Good to see you, man! How is Belinda feeling?”
