Her Journey Begins by Karen Einsel Read Free Book Online Page B

meant to be. Besides I wouldn ’ t have met you if things didn ’ t happen the way they have. Brandon what are your parents like? I don ’ t think I ’ ve seen them at your games, well I don ’ t know what they look like, so I wouldn ’ t know who they were, even if I did see them. ”
    He smiles a sad smile.
       “ They are high society snobs like most of the students at our school. Well my mom is. Dad ’ s away on business a lot so he doesn ’ t come to my games and mom, well you would never catch her sitting on a cold hard bleacher. In fact dad had to go to NY on business yesterday and mom decided to go with him to do some shopping. They won ’ t be back until the day before Christmas, so I have the house to myself. Wanna come over and keep me company? ”
    Brad pokes his head out the door.
       “ Brandon, Barb wants to know if you want to stay and have dinner with us. ”
       “ No I should go, I think I ’ ve imposed enough. ”
       “ You haven ’ t imposed. Besides it ’ s spaghetti night and we have a lot of fun on spaghetti night, don ’ t we Chris?  Chris keeps us entertained throughout our entire dinner, right down to the last noodle slurped. ”
       “ Dad! ”  
    Brandon smiles at her.
       “ You slurp noodles? ” He grins at Brad, “ Yeah I ’ ll stay. ”
       “ Great! Barb says to come in and wash up. ”
    Brad closes the door and Brandon grabs Chris ’ hand as she goes to get up. Chris sits back down and whispers.
       “ What? ”
       “ You really slurp your noodles? ”
    Chris punches him in the arm.
       “ Shut up. Come on let ’ s go eat. ”
    
      While Chris and Barb put away the leftovers and clean up the kitchen, Brandon and Brad go in to watch the game on TV.
       “ Mr. Clancy. ”
    “ Mr. Clancy? ” Brad raises one eyebrow at Brandon. “ What ’ s up with that? ”
    Brandon smiles, “ I want to take Chris out. You know maybe for pizza and a movie. I mean, we are out of school for a couple of weeks and even though you don ’ t know me very well and you won ’ t let her ride in my car … . ”
    Brad chuckles. “ I can ’ t see any harm in that. She should be going out on dates. Ask her. ”
    Brandon grins, “ Thanks ”
    Chris and Barb come out of the kitchen and Brandon looks at Chris.
       “ I ’ ve got to go. Will you walk me out? ”
       Out on the front porch Brandon takes Chris ’ hand in his.
        “ Will you go out with me tomorrow? We could go get a pizza and see a movie. ”
       “ I ’ ll have to ask my mom. ”
       “ I already asked your dad and he said it was okay. ”  
       “ You asked my dad if I could go out with you? And he said yes? Boy is he going to be in trouble with mom. Then yes, I ’ d like that. ”
       “ You like the fact that your mom will be mad at your dad? ”
       “ No … I like the fact that you asked my dad and he said yes, and … Yes, I ’ d like to go out with you on a date. This is a real date, right? ”
    Brandon grins at her. “ You are so funny. Yes, it ’ s a real date. Look in the paper and see what movie you want to go see and I ’ ll pick you up tomorrow at 5:30. That should give us enough time to eat and get to the drive in before the movie starts at 6:45. ” Brandon lets go of her hand. “ I ’ ve got to go. I ’ ll see you tomorrow. ”
    Chris watches him walk out to the car and drive away before going inside.
    
       In her room for over an hour getting ready, Chris hears a soft tap on her door.
       “ Come in ”
    The door opens and Barb pokes her head in.
       “ Need help? ”
    Turning this way and that, Chris looks at her reflection in the mirror.
       “ Do I look okay? ” Barb opens the door wider and walks in.
       “ This coming from the girl whom Brandon has been tugging on her hair and telling her, Good morning Beautiful , for the past four months, even when she wears her baggiest t-shirts? First date jitters, huh? ”