Glow by Molly Bryant Read Free Book Online Page B

knew I had text him. I furrowed my brows as I stared at the text.
He canceled on Karen? For what? Why?
    I looked up and Ben is walking toward the car. I fumbled his phone, more
like dropped it back into the drink holder. “Shit,” I whispered. He opened the
car door and tossed a pack of cigarettes into my lap.
“You seriously bought me cigarettes?” I laughed, still trying to hide my
jumpiness. “I don't smoke! It was a joke, Ben,”
    “You better start at almost ten-bucks a pack,” he sits in his seat and closes the
door, then places a heavy brown bag on my lap. I looked inside of it and
reached in pulling out a huge bottle of... Arbor Mist?
“What is Arbor Mist?” I asked staring at the bottle then at Ben curiously.
     
“It was the biggest bottle of alcohol they had in there,” he shrugged.
     
“No Pinot, or Sauvignon?” I frowned.
    “Hey, you didn't say the biggest bottle of a certain kind,” he pulled out onto
the road again. “You just said the biggest bottle of wine... well, actually it's
the biggest bottle closest to wine,” he laughed.
    I truly didn't think that he was going to take me seriously when it came to the
bottle and cigarettes. I'm totally not going to smoke the cigarettes, however, I
cracked open the bottle of the Arbor stuff. I might as well after the afternoon
I have had. I looked at the label again- Peach? Not bad. I smiled. Much
better.
“You know I could go to jail for that being open in my car,” he looked over
at me with the most unconcerned facial expression. He could care less.
“Eh,” I shrugged and took another drink. “It would be the perfect evening to
such a shitty afternoon, don't you think?” I smirked.
     
“Hey, tonight will be great, right?” he nudged my arm with his elbow.
     
“Just fabulous,” I said sarcastically with the bottle against my lips. I have a
feeling this will be a night I will never forget.
     
Down the road from my parents house; forty-two minutes later to be exact,
my phone rings interrupting my Arbor Mist induced singing, I answered it.
     
“Hello?”
     
“Honey, hi!” my mom chirps.
     
“Hello, mother...” I sighed. “we're here,” Ben turned onto the driveway.
     
“They're here!” she squealed. “Wait, you brought someone?”
     
“Mom, it's Ethan's friend, we are pulling up into the drive way, bye,” I hung
up.
    He pulled up to the round about and parked in front of the doors. I got out of
the car, then opened the back door grabbing the cupcake boxes only to be
greeted by my mom and dad.
    “Hey kiddo!” My father smiles under his brown and gray mustache. He took
the boxes from my hands as he eyed Ben. Trust me father, you have nothing
to worry about. No need for the 'you hurt my daughter, I hurt you' glare.
    I smiled taking in the scene of my parents. My slightly overweight father in
his jeans and 'World's Greatest Father' T-shirt I bought him for Christmas
many years ago-the words are slightly faded. I know he wore it today because
I was coming. My tiny, petite mother... she has fashion sense like I do. She
looked astonishing in her gray dress that showed her still amazing figure. Her
blonde hair was in curls. With them standing so close together you would
never know that they were married as they look like polar opposites, but that
is what makes their marriage so amazing. I have never seen two people love
each other as much as they do.
“Hello, father,” I placed my hand on his back as I followed him to the door.
     
“Did you buy the whole bakery?” he stared at the boxes.
     
“Something like that,” Ben laughed.
     
“Vanessa,” my mom wrapped her fragile arms around me.
    “Hi, mother,” I hugged her back inhaling the memorable scent of her
perfume. It is Channel No.5-she has worn the same perfume for as long as I
can remember. When I go to the mall after not seeing my family for a few
months, the perfume counter always has her smell lingering, my heart aches
every time.
“You two rode together,” she