Joy Argento - Carrie and Hope by Joy Argento Read Free Book Online

been together?” Hope couldn’t help herself. She had never heard Derrick mention Erin’s name before and she wanted details.
    “Two weeks,” Derrick said through a mouth full of food. “Erin picked me up in a bar,” he laughed.
    Erin slapped his arm. “I did not.”
    “I’m really hoping that you didn’t meet in a bar considering you are both too young to be drinking.” She looked at her son and then at Erin. She didn’t really want to know the answer. She had given Derrick enough lectures on underage drinking and she was sure that another one now wouldn’t make any difference.
    Hope reached for a piece of bread from the bowl in the center of the table. She picked the basket up and offered it to Erin. Erin took a piece and buttered it generously.  
    “We met at a party off campus, Mrs. Garret, and I certainly didn’t pick Derrick up. He came over and started talking to me. I had no interest in him at first. I mean, look at him.” Erin grinned at Hope as she spoke. “He has a face only a mother could love.” She giggled.
    I like this girl , Hope thought. She is a good match for Derrick and his off beat sense of humor.
    “ Hey,” Derrick said.
    “Oh, baby, I’m just teasing, ya .” Erin reached over and patted his hand.
    Derrick grinned at his mother. “I asked Erin to go out for burgers the next night and we have been together since. I’m starting to think she likes me.”
    “Yeah, I like him,” Erin said. Hope had no doubts that they liked each other.
    “Where are you from, Erin,” Hope asked her.
    “Near Buffalo.”
    “So, you do you live at home or on campus?” Hope soaked up some of the steak’s juice from her plate with a chunk of bread.
    “I live on campus. My dorm is right next to Derrick’s,” Erin told her.
    Hope continued to ask questions while they enjoyed their food. Erin told Hope some of the details of college life and a short history of her time with Derrick.
    Derrick leaned over and kissed Erin on the cheek. Erin blushed.
    “So tell me some of the embarrassing stories of Derrick’s childhood, Mrs. Garret,” Erin said to Hope with a smile.
    Hope smiled back. Oh yeah, I like her. “Call me Hope. Mrs. Garret sounds so formal…and old.” Hope laughed. “Hmm, let’s see…embarrassing stories about Derrick. There are so many.” Hope thought about it for a moment. “Oh, I know. There was this one time when Derrick was three and we all went camping…”
    “Mom,” Derrick said, “not that story.”
    “Yes,” Erin said. “Let’s start with that story.”
    Hope not only continued the story, but told Erin several more. Derrick pretended to be annoyed but Hope knew that he enjoyed the attention.
    “Go ahead and order dessert,” Hope said to Erin after they had finished their meals. “I know Derrick will.” Hope looked over the dessert menu in her hands. “I think I’ll have a little something, too.”
    The waiter returned with his order pad in hand. “Are we ready?” he asked.
    Derrick didn’t hesitate. “I’ll have the Oreo Cream Pie.” He handed his menu to the waiter.
    “Can I get the vanilla cream cheesecake? Please?” Erin said.
    “Oh, that sounds good,” Hope added. “I’ll take that too.”
    They continued their casual conversation until they had finished their desserts and Hope paid the bill.

     

Chapter 6
        
         
    Carrie looked at herself in the mirror while she brushed her hair. Hope was due to arrive in twenty minutes. Dinner was in the oven, the house was straightened up and Carrie was now primping to look her best when her company arrived. She poured an inch of mouthwash into a paper cup, swished the liquid around her mouth and silently counted to thirty before spitting it into the sink. Her mouth felt cool and hot at the same time. She wondered if the blue cable knit sweater she wore over a light blouse would make her too warm, and decided she could always remove the sweater later if that became an issue. Her best jeans