Awkward. There were no other words to describe my uninvited presence at Zeke's family dinner. Zeke's father was all for it. That was reassuring. Since it was his idea in the first place to keep me over. Plus, this would also be the first time Zeke had seen his mother in a few days since the fight he had with her.
He was uncertain on how things may play out. I decided not to object to the invitation for dinner. In hopes to help Zeke be at ease when facing his mom. Though to be honest, I was just as nervous. I wasn't in her good books without even knowing me.
I sat awkwardly next to Zeke at the table. The whole house was nice for a little bigger of an average townhouse. You could tell Mrs. Jensen had standards. Assuming she was the one who had the majority of the say in the decorations and furniture. She did have nice taste and all for being a classy and strong willed lawyer.
Zeke definitely got his looks from his dad. With the dark hair and facial features. Though his dad had brown eyes instead of a deep green. Zeke's sister, Ashley was definitely a splitting image too. Her hair was a lighter brown and obtained her father's warm brown eyes as well. Ashley's jaw was more rounded compared to Zeke's and his dad's. And her nose was less pointed compared to her brother.
Ashley had a short dark brown bob parted in the center of her scalp. The ends of her hair were slightly lighter. Giving away she had highlights. Her dark eyes just kept exchanging themselves between Zeke and me. Trying to puzzle together what kind of companionship we have. She was in the eighth grade so she wasn't completely naive.
The three of us waited silently for Zeke's father to sit down. Eventually their father came to sit down. "Well, you three can grab a plate from the kitchen. Zeke, Ashley, your mom will be down in a bit. I hope curry is alright with you Pattie? If you are possibly vegan or something I can whip something else for you?" Zeke's dad asked politely.
"Curry sounds wonderful Mr. Jensen." I replied back. Being on my best behavior. He smiled warmly at me. Zeke definitely got that from his dad.
"Please, none of that formal crap. You can call me James, Jamie, whatever suits you. I'm not that old." James jokes as he heads to the kitchen with his children.
I went into the kitchen and got myself a plate and silverware. Quickly sitting back down at the table quietly. Joining the rest of the Jensen family once again. After a few minutes of gathering our meals, Zeke's mother walks down from the upstairs.
My anxiety rocketed to the roof again. Zeke's mother was dressed in typical black dress pants and a yellow blouse. Wearing simple flats. Her hair was at her shoulders and was chestnut brown. Much lighter than everyone else's. Even my own. Mrs. Jensen had pale green eyes. So that's where Zeke's got his sticking green eyes. Zeke looked like his mother from her pale complexion and green eyes. While Ashley had more of her facial structure.
I sat up straight as I felt her eyes burning into my skull. She had a deep voice. "I wasn't aware we were having guests tonight James." I was right. She held a lot of power. She was a powerful woman, not someone you should reckon with.
James stared at his wife. "Neither was I. Zeke's lovely friend here, Pattie was rather concerned about Zeke's well being and stopped by today to check in on him. After being absent from school for a few days. I invited her to stay. Being a good friend to our son and all. She is more than welcomed here." James defended.
Hell, Zeke was even defensive like his dad. It was awfully kind for James to speak about me in a respectable manner.
"That's fine. I'd only appreciate being alerted next time so I have time to make myself look less like a scary business woman." She joked lightly while grabbing her plate of curry and sitting down at the table. Across from Zeke and I.
Everyone remained silent. Eating in dead silence. The only sounds of our cutlery scraping softly against the plates. It was an awkward silence. You could feel the tension between Zeke and his mother. It was sad to see they clearly had an unhealthy relationship together.
Then out of the blue, his mother decided to start a conversation with me. "So, Pattie is it? How long have you been building a friendship with my son for?" She asked politely. Not looking in my direction.
I swallowed my nerves down. "Actually, we've known each other for almost a year now. It wasn't till a few months ago we became more invested in our friendship. We were just casual locker buddies. Coincidentally working at the same restaurant." I reply, being as well mannered as I could make.
"That's certainly interesting. How exactly did you two meet?"
"We first met at the restaurant. I moved here in the summer before the start of grade ten. Immediately applying for a job because I wanted to earn some income. Zeke was already working there and I was put in the back as another dishwasher. He trained me. Then on my first day of school, my locker was right next to his. We realized we worked together. The bond sprouted there. Our connection only grew from there. Now, Zeke is my closest friend. Perhaps even my best friend."
I turned to look at Zeke and see his eyes shining at my declaration on him. I smiled softly at him in return. There was no doubt in my mind that Zeke knew I was speaking the truth. My truth at least. I meant every word.
Mrs. Jensen was engaged in this conversation. "Tell me, what suddenly made the two of you become super close. My curiosity has been getting the best of me. Zeke has a good friendship with someone all this time and didn't mention anything until recently." Zeke just shrunk back a little.
"I didn't mention Pattie because you can become rather judgemental towards my friends. Even before meeting them." Zeke muttered out quietly.
"Well pardon me for wanting to look out for my son. After all, that Julia girl was a bad influence wasn't she? Hanging out with the druggies and all. Now look at where she is. In a facility because she needs to recover. I do wish the best for her though." She commented.
"That's a topic for another time, but Julia never pressured me into anything. She struggled to cope with her best friend's passing. If you're willing to listen, I'll tell you that story at a later date. I can assure you Pattie is nothing of the sorts like that either." He added.
"Alright. Maybe I have been too hard. I promise to listen with a clear mind. I'm just worried you'll be dragged into bad scenes." Mrs. Jensen replies.
"You don't need to worry about that with me Mrs. Jensen. I wouldn't allow myself to be caught dead with any illegal substances. I was raised by a nurse." Zeke's mother smiled.
"I must apologize Pattie. I was quick to assume the worst of you when Zeke missed his classes a few days ago. I didn't want to see Zeke being pressured or possibly influenced. Where I'm from, that's all I ever saw was kids getting into drugs and some really bad crimes. I want my son to go to school and be successful. I was approaching it wrongly. I hope you helped him with whatever he needed to talk about. You can just call me Claudia if you'd wish. I hope you can forgive me too, Zeke." She smiled while looking down and taking a bite out of her meal.
Both James and Zeke were jaw dropped. Zeke choked on his drink a little. Ashley's eyes were wide. Taken back for whatever reason. "Why are these three so taken back um, Claudia?" I questioned.
"I don't usually like people referring to me as Claudia. Plus, I'm admitting I was wrong, something that's rarely ever heard. Anyways, continue your story about when you two got closer." Claudia motioned her hand for me to continue. Zeke and his dad just exchanged glances. Ashley just stared at me with her curious brown orbs.
"Well, the last week of March, I noticed a completely different shift in Zeke's attitude. I thought it might cheer him up if I invited him to go to the homecoming dance. Enjoy a night of fun or something since we are both kind of the outsiders at school." I began thinking if I should mention Charlie Love or not. I decided to go with my gut. Whether Zeke liked it or not.
"Before I mentioned the homecoming dance. Charlie Love appeared. He was talking down to Zeke. I've seen it a few times. He may be the best football player but, he is honestly not a very noble guy. Cruel and mean, Charlie Love is a horrible person. He's being cruel towards me as well. Something told me I had to do something to lift Zeke's spirits up." I confess. Zeke gave me a slight death stare. Annoyed that I told his parents about being picked on. Not enough to be angry at me. As I told them I also was picked on by Charlie too.
Zeke's mother dropped her fork onto her plate. Zeke scratched the back of his head. Embarrassed as I put him on the spot. "What does Charlie Love say to you son?" James asked in his stern parent mode.
"Nothing that should really bother someone. He just calls me a loser. It's not worth getting upset about. Frankly he's just a jerk." Zeke said, trying to play it off as it was nothing.
"Well that's not what I heard. I heard Charlie call you a freak. I've heard some other things too before we even became locker buddies. You appeared upset when I saw you." I added. Claudia stared at Zeke.
He shrugged his shoulders. "It's just immature name calling. To be honest? It doesn't bother me. However, it does get extremely annoying that he tears others down just to make himself feel better. Also, I was upset that day because I was thinking about the passing of my friends. Their birthday was during that week. " Zeke was trying his damn best to dodge the bullet I was throwing. I wanted to shed a little bit of light to his parents that he's been verbally harassed at least.
"Alright Zeke. I swear if this boy does more like laying a hand on you, you better tell us. I will not tolerate you being touched. Name calling is one thing but, if he is harassing you and doing more you tell me." James said more sternly. Pointing to himself. Zeke nodded.
"What did Charlie say to you Pattie. You should still alert the school if it's more than one person being harassed by Charlie." James pushed.
I chewed my cheek a little. "He made rude remarks about my figure because I'm not stick thin. I prefer to be more muscular and fit anyways."
"Well don't listen to that idiot. You're a very pretty girl Pattie." James complimented.
He smirked a little. Looking at Zeke who was just staring towards my direction. "I think Zeke agrees with that as well because he can't seem to take his eyes off of you. With that happy gaze and all." He teased. Making Zeke's head perk up. James expected the death stare he received from his son.
I laughed a little. Zeke stared down, angrily at his plate and ate away in silence. That was the last bit of conversation before we finished up our meals. I brought my plate into the kitchen and left it in the sink. Where all the other dishes were. I came back into the dinning room. Seeing Zeke had gone back to sitting in his seat. His elbows propped up onto the table. Holding his face up with his palms. I sat beside him.
"You alright Zeke?" I asked. Curious about him just staring into space.
He shifted his face towards me. "I'm good. Everything is really good to be honest. Especially with the way my mother interacted with you. Never would have seen the day she'd ever be like that. Nice to see she may be having a change of heart towards me. I'm not upset with you either. I know you want to help me. I gotta do it at my pace too."
I blinked, surprised by that a little. I felt genuinely happy for him. "That's really good. Hopefully the two of you can start a healthier relationship then. I know, but your parents need to know. Personally, I didn't think you would mention it. So I did instead." I added.
Zeke smiled softly. "Hopefully. Very small baby steps but, I can see it happening. I appreciate that. I know you're not trying to rush me. You're the push I need. Letting me go at my own pace, but not allowing me to go off track. Thank you Pattie."
"You're extremely welcome Zeke." I returned his smile.
"Would you like to stay for dessert Pattie?"
I thought about it for a moment and smiled. "I certainly would. What will we be having?"
"You're favourite. Cheesecake." He smirked. Zeke knew pretty damn well that I wasn't about to missout on that offer.