Oh, shit.
I take a deep breath and head around the corner. With Valo are his parents. His mother is a little taller than I am in a tan pair of pants and a soft cream sweater. She has long blonde hair and blue eyes. However, Valo’s father makes me stop. If I want to know what Valo will look like in thirty years, I’ve seen it. They are identical and it’s almost scary. They’re even almost dressed the same in jeans and polo shirts.
“Jade, this is my mom, Ela, and my dad, Oliver.”
“Very nice to meet you both.” I shake their hands.
“We’ve heard so much about you, Jade,” Ela smiles at me.
Their accents are much thicker than Valo’s and if she talks fast, I’ll never understand her. Oliver smiles and asks Valo something in Finnish. Valo shakes his head and rolls his eyes. Gus comes over and hugs them both and I’m thankful for the momentary break.
“Are you ready to eat or do you want to relax first?” he asks his mom.
“Let’s eat.”
We all agree and head into the kitchen. Valo and Gus help me get the food over to the table. Most of food is traditional Thanksgiving themed items, minus a few of the veggies Ela doesn’t like.
Everyone oohs and ahs over the turkey and ham and compliment me on the good job I did. I don’t take all the credit since Valo did help.
“Jade, Valo tells us that you’re going to school soon.” Oliver looks over at me. He seems to be quiet and I don’t know if it’s because he’s eating so much or if he’s always this way.
“Yes, I start in two weeks and I start my new job this week, too. I’m excited.” I pick at my food because it’s hard to eat with my nerves still shaking.
“Sounds like you’re about to be very busy.” Ela smiles.
“I can’t wait though. It’s a first for me.” I smile at them.
Valo jumps in and begins to talk about the hockey season. His mom and dad only see bits and pieces of the games. I find out that they watch online, but with the time difference, it’s usually in the middle of the night. As they continue to talk, everyone finishes up their food. They all keep telling me how good it is and I even receive a small kiss from Valo.
“Mrs. Manner, I love your nail color,” I tell her as I dry the dishes. She’s next to me sipping on a glass of wine.
“Please call me Ela and thank you. I like yours as well. Do you do them yourself?”
“Oh no, I’m not that talented. I like going to get them done.”
“Me too. I call it my ‘girl time’. I make Oliver stay home and I even shut off my phone.” She smiles brightly at me.
I laugh. “I do something similar to that, too.”
“The next time we’re in town, we should go together and leave these silly boys at home.”
I smile again. “I would like that.”
Is this what boyfriend’s mothers do with their girlfriends? Do they have spa days and talk about nail colors while sipping on wine?
When I was younger, I thought about Mom and I doing things together, but I learned that wasn’t ever going to happen. Maybe with Ela it will be different.
I can’t believe I’ve had a boyfriend for month and I’m thinking about mom-daughter days off.
Wow, my life has changed a lot.
Chapter Fourteen
Valo
I grab Jade’s wrist and pull her back to me and back onto the bed.
“Valo, I have to get ready,” she laughs.