"Would? He did!"
Charlie nodded, a shy little grin on his face. His happy expression was a balm to my soul. "Come on," he said. "Let's get something to eat. They sell buffalo burgers here, and they're tasty."
"Buffalo burgers? At a zoo?" I was alternately intrigued and appalled.
"Yes. Come on. You'll like them. And I'll ask Sahil when we get home — but I won't bet with you, so don't tell me I owe you five dollars if you're right."
"Too late! You already do!" I crowed.
He ducked his head against a giggle, turning it into a snort, and jabbed my side lightly.
The wolf watched us walk away, waving his tail gently back and forth.
#
We had to wait in line at the food concession area, and Charlie passed the time by showing me car parts on his phone. He'd recently learned to use it for buying on eBay, and was amassing quite a collection on his watch list.
"Dad and I used to buy parts this way all the time," he said. "He sends me links and stuff now. It's kind of nice, using the phone for something other than talking or texting."
I paid as much attention as I could to what he showed me, but my knowledge of car workings could fill a thimble. I tried not to think too hard about what he'd told me about his past, to tuck it away for later consideration. It didn't change anything. It explained a little, but it wouldn't ultimately change the way I loved him or the relationship we were figuring out together.
If he ever wanted my help or support, he would have it. In the meantime, I was going to keep loving him as I'd always done, and was learning to do in better and healthier ways all the time.
My phone chimed, and I checked it quickly. A text from Charlie. I cast him a quick smile and opened it.
Thx for not pushing about sex. I like taking our time :)
I texted him back quickly:I like that, too. Thanks for trusting me with what you shared. It doesn't change anything. XO
He read it, nodded, and typed something else quickly. My phone chimed, and I read:Move forward. It's your turn to order!
He laughed at me as I hurried up to the counter, enjoying the fact that I was flustered.
You'll pay for that, buddy!I texted back with a winking smiley after I paid for our food.
"I was supposed to pay," he told me as we headed to the picnic tables. "I forgot!" He looked upset by the lapse.
"No problem. You can treat me next time."
"Yeah, but it was my date idea. I got used to you paying for stuff, and I forgot. Don't let me keep forgetting, okay?"
"It really doesn't matter. Can I ask you a question?" I leaned forward, facing him across the small table. The wind was blowing, birds were calling from a nearby enclosure, and people were chattering and enjoying themselves all around us. It was less horrifying than I'd thought, at least now that we weren't in front of the wolf enclosure.
He swallowed his bite of buffalo burger and looked wary. "Sure."
"Why did you want me to meet your parents? Do you think you sort of wanted their opinion about me, in case you considered dating me?"
I'd made a good impression, but he hadn't seemed entirely pleased about that. I didn't always understand how his mind worked. It would be nice to have some clarity.
He grimaced, looking embarrassed. "No. I was going to...to make you feel small. I wanted revenge. I thought you'd feel bad when you realized how much money they had, and if my dad threatened you, all the better."
"I felt a bit small," I admitted. "But, mostly, I felt glad that they liked me, that they loved you, and that your dad was so protective." I smiled. "It wasn't very good revenge, taking me to meet the family."
"No." He looked abashed. "It wasn't. And then you apologized, too, and I didn't really want revenge anymore. It was nice, starting to become friends."
"It was," I agreed, regarding him with open affection. He had a small smudge of ketchup on his cheek. And if he thought I was going to tell him about it, he was very wrong. How wasthatfor revenge?
"Iwillask Sahil about finding a better home for the wolf," he said suddenly. "He might do it. If anyone can—"
