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This dress is totally on the other side of my comfort zone. It’s fitted and bold printed and the fact I’m wearing purple heels to go with it is absolutely the cherry on top of the take risks sundae, but I love what I see when I look in the mirror. I love even more that I feel fun and free in this versus stifled and stuffy. Hundred bucks says my mother hates it.

“You can relax, sweetheart. Just because we don’t go eat at fancy places all the time doesn’t mean you have to worry about me. I know how to fucking behave in public.”

“You’re not the one I’m worried about,” my under the breath mumbling is heard yet acknowledged by the smallest sympathetic grin.

Perhaps I’m just stuffing pages with nothing. Overreacting. Making Mom out to be a monster when she’s really just…a little overbearing. I’m sure she’ll be happy for me. And of course grateful, she’s one step closer to getting grandkids in her head. You know Archer and I have actually touched on the topic. Kind of hard not to when you work with kids fulltime. He likes the idea of being a dad even though it makes him nervous given how awful his own was. He’d also like to have a job and more stability before we dive any deeper into the discussion. Can’t blame him there.

Our arrival at Silver Steakhouse – the upscale restaurant known for being a favorite of my parents – is followed first by a valet taking my car keys and next by my boyfriend distractedly wandering off the wrong direction.

Is he running away?! Could he have not clued me in on the plan! I so would’ve gotten my Wendy Darling on with him!

“Baby…?” I cautiously call from where I’m creeping behind him. When there’s no response, I try again, “Archer?”

He holds up a single digit, rounds the corner, and comes to an abrupt halt that causes my body to slam into his. Before I have the chance to ask questions, he states, “I know him.”

“Who?”

My boyfriend casually points to the man in tattered clothing that’s a few feet over searching for change on the ground. “His name is Danny. Danny Reyes.” A painful pause is wedged between sentences. “He uh…he lost most of his money in a Ponzi scheme. Lost his job first. House next. Wife walked out with his two kids. Moved them to Montana.” Archer’s body leans against the edge of the brick building. “One minute he had all the money in the world he could dream of and the next…” The shoulder shrug that’s presented looks so dejected. “He was um…He was one of the nicer guys out here. Taught me how to time it right to pick through the fresher tossed out meals at the upscale restaurants. Most of these places have their bus boys take shit straight to the dumpster, so it doesn’t leave a bad smell lingering around.” His gaze drops to mine. “Learned early on, eat the protein while its fresh. Bread has a longer backpack life.”

Unsure of what’s appropriate to say in this situation, I merely give his arm a loving, reassuring squeeze.

“Give me a sec?” Archer quietly questions.

After receiving a nod, he pushes himself off the wall and struts over through the cold night air to the man desperate for a win. I silently watch a small exchange begin. Danny looks taken back. Confused. Yet rather than use that as a viable reason to walk away Archer persists. Does his best to remind the male of who he is. How they know each other. Whether or not it works is unknown to me; however, whatever the case may be it doesn’t affect my boyfriend’s decision to fish cash out of his pocket to give him. Danny resists the offer only once but appears to thank Archer repeatedly for the kindness.

His arrival back in front of me precedes an unexpected heartwarming statement. “I know not everyone gets a Jaye Jenkins in their life,” the grin he flashes is sweet, soft, “but everyone could definitely use a little more of her compassion.”

Swooning struggles not to be heard.

“Gave him the cash Ms. Donovan gave me this morning for putting her trashcans away while she was out of town at her father’s funeral. I tried to tell her she didn’t need to pay. I was just…being neighborly, but she insisted. Praised me for saving her HOA fees. I figured I could just use it to tip the valet tonight.” He smiles a little wider. “Thisseemed like a better call, though.”

“Oh, absolutely, baby.” My arms fly around him as I lift myself up to plant a chaste kiss on his lips. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

“I know you like saying it.” He gives me a small hug in return. “And I selfishly likehearingit.” We exchange a round of snickers. “I just hope you know that’s not why I did that. That’s not why I do any of the things I do for others.”

“Trust me…I know.”

Linking hands, we make our way inside and over to the open booth table my parents are already occupying.

The instant Dad’s gaze falls on me he happily exclaims, “Good evening, sugar!”

“Hey, Dad!” I greet in return, leaning down to hug him.

My father warmly speaks to my boyfriend next. “Cox.”

Archer extends his hand out for the shaking. “Charles.”

Keeping my voice even as I sit across from the woman who gave birth to me is almost fucking impossible. “Hey, Mom.”

“Evening.” She uses her not wine holding hand to point at my attire. “New dress?”

“It is.”

“It’s nice. Bit loud for dinner, but still lovely.”

Backhanded compliments. Aren’t they everyone’s favorite?

“The colors remind me of those on the cover ofOne Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, which is probably what drew Jaye to the dress in the first place since she’s such a big Dr. Seuss fan.” Archer settles into the seat beside me at the same time he adds. “And I agree, Mrs. Jenkins. The dress is lovely for dinner.”