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fast? She realized she couldn’t carry that conversation on in her head, or

rather, it would be better if she had it out loud instead of trying to sort

things out in private.

“I just…I’m not sure it’s the right time. When do people usually meet

parents?”

“I don’t know if there’s a timeline. Maybe you’re right. It’s too soon. I

don’t know what I was thinking. Actually, I guess I do. I was thinking that

my parents are going to notice you coming to the house sooner or later,

seeing as they live downstairs, and my mom will be all bubbly and excited

and want to come up and say hello. She might ambush you one time when

you’re over. They don’t use their key without my saying they can, and they

wouldn’t walk in without knocking, but if they know I have someone over,

they might keep knocking and not go away.”

June smiled at the image of Arabella’s parents pounding on the door and

peeking in the windows, their curiosity getting the better of them. “Then

maybe I should meet them sooner rather than later.”

“I’m not trying to force the issue, I’m just saying. Things could get

awkward. I want you to be prepared.”

“Are you scared of me meeting them?”

“Scared? Or worried? Or excited and nervous?”

“I guess excited and nervous.”

“I don’t know. A bit, I guess. Who isn’t nervous about things like that?

I’m not nervous about them meeting you. They’ll love you. I’m nervous

about you meeting them and them saying something totally embarrassing.

Mom never would have dared before, but now she seems more relaxed. I

guess after we, um, moved, a lot of the old, forced habits stopped

happening. No more fronts. No more pretending. What was the point? That

was one of the good things, as far as I can see. My mom isn’t exactly happy,

but I think deep down she’s a lot happier now that she doesn’t have to load

on the bullshit so thick and deep every single day.”