Hello. Goodbye - Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven.

"You go on and eat first, I can watch the baby if you like," Lily offered taking the baby from her mother's arms.

Jamie had ordered some chicken dinners for each of them with gratitude for allowing him to capture their moments.
Lily played with the baby while the others talked over their late lunch. Albert gossiped a little about the other folk in the old age home. Albert's daughter shared some baby stories and Jamie updated them with his progress on his exhibit pieces.
Lily cooed, tickled and eventually began singing to the little tot.
"Aww, she must like your voice... she's falling asleep," the tot's mother noted.
"That or she's just bored," Lily replied.
"You have a beautiful voice, Lily," Albert stated.
"Thank you, Albert," Lily blushed and shifted the baby to rest the head on her shoulder. This felt so good, she thought. Looking over to Jamie who remained silent, she noted he had that lost in a trance look, again.

After a while, Albert's daughter cleaned up after them and took the baby back to allow Lily the chance to rest and eat.
Jamie however, interrupted them and excused himself and Lily.
Saying goodbye, Lily followed Jamie out.

"Where are we going?"
"I forgot you don't even have a place to stay yet. And I have to pick up my brother from his stage practice."
"We can use my car, if you want."
"You don't mind?"
"I have no place to go right now."
"Good point."
"Let's go."

Packing up the art room, they made their way to the nearest hotel to check her in and towards the community theater to pick up the younger version of Jamie. My, good looks did run through his family. The boys, at least, she thought.

Jamie drove them to the grocery store to pick up some food for him to cook. Michael opted to stay in the car.
"Is your brother ok?"
"Yeah, he's fine. He's probably just tired from the rehearsal."
"When is opening night?"
"This coming Friday."
"Oh, I'd love to watch it."
"Why don't you?"
She shrugged not wanting to think about how soon she'd have to leave.

He let them fall back into a comfortable silence as she shopped for a dinner they could prepare for his family. She offered to cook her famous lasagna dinner because he fed her lunch.

A weak excuse but he let her.

Heading back to the house he stopped off at the mall to pick up Libby from her part-time job.

When they got home, Lily was formally introduced to the three teenagers. Obviously unenthusiastic, they all went to their rooms while Lily got cracking on her food.

Lily insisted Jamie catch up on whatever he had to do while she cooked. He came back just in time to introduce her to his parents and they welcomed her and thanked her for making the effort to cook them dinner.

She sang to herself as she took the lasagna out of the oven and left it on the counter to cool. Libby was called down to set the table as Jamie kept Lily company in the kitchen.

"..just stay, please," he pleaded as he took hold of one of her hands.
Trying to take back her limp hand, she insisted, "Naw, I should really get going."
"But where are you going to have dinner?"
"I'll just call up a cousin or something. Don't worry."

Lily really didn't want to force herself on his family. Already, she felt tension.

She shook her head trying to block out the negativity she was feeling. Most of it was all in her mind, but she couldn't help but feel that may be she'd be braver if she did this again some other day.

"I'm really tired."
"Let me drive you."
"Are you crazy? I drove here remember?"

Leaning against the kitchen counter, Jaime looked down in disappointment. He was hoping he could have a sit down dinner with his family because he was ready to reveal the inspiration behind his upcoming exhibit. But he needed her as a safety net to block out the possible negative comments his mother would throw at him.

He knew his mother meant well with her impertinent questions. She was the most practical woman he'd ever come across.

"Hey..." Her whisper interrupted his thoughts, as she leaned into him.
"I'll be back tomorrow, promise."
He shrugged.
She wrapper her arms around his waist, but he didn't reciprocate.
Letting go, she put the oven mitts on, cut the squared servings and delivered the dish to the dining table. Everyone who sat around the table looked up as she put the dish down.

"It's been nice meeting you all," a genuine formed on her lips.
"Thank you for coming and preparing this for us. Maybe next time you can stay and have a meal with us?" Jamie's father invited.
"I'd like that," she replied before saying goodbye and walking back to the kitchen.

He still stood there by the counter.

"Now, I see it!" she burst out.
Her outburst stirred him.
"See what?"
"The brooding artist in you."
"Ha."
"Your family's waiting for you to eat."
"Right."
"Don't be upset... Please?"
"I don't understand why you'd rather eat alone than here."
She shrugged.
"Fine. Goodbye, Lily."
"Goodnight, Jamie," she said as she walked out the door.

It disturbed her when she got back to her hotel room, how bad she felt to see the disappointment in his eyes.

Sitting cross-legged on her single bed, watching the evening news, she stuffed her face with two cold tacos, fries and some soda. A far cry from her home-cooked lasagna, but this what she chose.

Something didn't sit right with her and she knew it wasn't the tacos.
Reaching for her cell phone she called his number.

"I'm sorry, Lily. He's not home right now. I believe he went out with a friend. Andrea, I believe?"
"Ok, if you see him, please let him know I called."
"I will. Oh and Lily," his mother added, "your lasagna was the best any of us has ever tasted. We look forward to having you over again."
Lily smiled appreciatively, "That means a lot to me. Thank you! And sorry again for calling so late. Good night."
"Not at all... Good night, Sweetie."

So he had plans, that was fine she told herself, over and over again until she fell asleep.