dinner at Eric's

Ellie hadn't expected Eric to live in a two bedroom apartment with his mother across from the library. He seemed so posh, so to speak. He always dressed nice. Perhaps not, cool, but very nice, like academically smart, perhaps.

She set on the sofa of the very bare living room, and his mother's three cats came to investigate her. They could smell her dog Henry. She kept smiling at them, but she had a feeling they didn't really notice.

His Mom made lemonade just for her. Ellie didn't know what else to do but smile and take a sip.
"Oh, thank you." She finally remembered. She looked at Eric hoping he didn't think she was an actoress.

"You're just so adorable." His mom's round face just wouldn't stop smiling. Eric didn't look a thing like her. He was tall. His face a little long. His nose slinder, yet round and soft. He was quite pretty. Had his Mom gone to a sperm bank and asked for a record of the smartest man, there. Ellie liked the idea of it. She supposed that wasn't true. But she couldn't stop thinking about it like a made for TV movie.

"Nice apartment." Ellie dug for questions. "Have you two lived here long?"

"Its been a while, hasn't it Eric?"

Eric shrugged as if he really didn't know.

"His sister went off to college so we sold the house," she told Ellie. "That was three years ago, wasn't it?"

"I guess." Finally Eric edged himself next to Ellie as if he'd have to play his part, too. The boyfriend.

"And where did you two meet?" Eric's Mom was digging for stories too.

"Gosh, can't say for sure." Ellie wanted Eric to make something up.

"Lunch? It was lunch wasn't it?"

"It might have been the first day of school, actually." Ellie nodded. "I couldn't find my locker but since he knew his way around better than me. I just hung on to his backpack and made him take me to find my locker."

"And..."

"We've been friends for a long while now." She winked accidently, edged her hand toward his knee. He slightly jumped. "But nothing is going on, like that." She flung her hand away. "He's so sweet." She shrugged with a giggle and sipped her lemonade. Ellie looked over at Eric. She thought he might pass out.

She ate dinner at Eric's. It was rather lovely. Everything matched. His Mom obviously got out the good stuff and she even roasted chicken with potatoes and carrots along with those little pearl onions. Ellie was really impressed. But then she wondered if maybe his mother would cook the same sort of meal if Cory was over.

Ellie looked at Eric. She couldn't wait for this to be over anymore than he did.