“Just fine. Why? Are you worried?” She glances over at me before focusing back on the road.
“No.”
The ride doesn’t last long and soon she’s parking the car. It’s practically a habit now that I reach for her hand when we meet around the front. Kinley leads the way up the porch steps and into the house.
“Mama,” she calls out. “We’re here.”
“Come on into the kitchen,” Mrs. Wright hollers back. She smiles when we appear in the kitchen, putting down her spoon to walk over and hug us both. “It’s so nice to see you again, Carson.”
“Nice to see you as well.” I smile.
We turn to see Mr. Wright sitting at the dining table already. As Mrs. Wright goes back to the stove, Kinley drags me over to him. I can’t tell what he’s thinking, but he stands and hugs Kinley when she says, “Hey, Daddy.” Then he shakes my hand, telling me, “Hello.” I take a seat at the table as Kinley helps her mom bring the food over to the table.
“Carson, I hope that you’re hungry. I made a big meal to celebrate.”
“Yes, ma’am, I am, but to celebrate what?” I tentatively ask.
“This joyous relationship between you and our sweet Kinley,” she states as if it’s obvious.
“Told you, wedding bells,” Kinley leans over, whispering in my ear as she places a pot down.
I gulp because I was really hoping she was mostly kidding. “Oh, right,” I mumble before speaking up so Mrs. Wright can hear me. “I guess Kinley and I are worth celebrating.”
They sit down and Kinley quickly says softly, “Bet you wished you didn’t jerk that phone away from me now, don’t you?”
“More than you can imagine,” I reply back.
“Don’t go overboard, Ruby,” Mr. Wright begins as we start scooping food onto our plates. “They’ve just started dating. You don’t need to celebrate too much yet.”
“Yes, Mama, please listen to Dad.” Kinley nods in agreement.
Mrs. Wright sighs loudly. “I guess I can’t express my elation at all in this house. Fine then. We’ll sit here and eat this food that doesn’t mean anything.”
“You’re so dramatic, dear.” Mr. Wright laughs.
I clear my throat, desperately wanting to change the subject. “Are you the one that taught Kinley how to cook, Mrs. Wright?”
“Oh no, it wasn’t me.” She shakes her head. “It was my mother that taught her. Kinley would never listen to me, but she would always listen to my mom.”
“Your mother taught her well then. I’m sure your cooking will be just as delicious. Has Kinley always been so stubborn?” I ask.
Mr. and Mrs. Wright both say, “Yes.”
“Let’s not beat around the bush here, shall we?” Kinley mumbles.
“Kinley has always been hardheaded. She gets it from Perry.” Mrs. Wright gives a pointed look at her husband.
He returns it with an even look of his own. “I do recall knowing a certain woman who is very difficult to persuade and still doesn’t half listen to anyone else.”
“Ha! Well, it’s not me.”
Unthinking, the words spew from my mouth. “Are all families like this?” Forks stop moving and all eyes are on me. I quickly correct myself. “I mean, is everyone in your family like this?”
“Families who care about each other are just like this,” Mr. Wright answers with a serious look.
I nod. “Right. I was just wondering. About your family,” I add to clarify.
Mrs. Wright looks a little confused. “Carson, doesn’t your family have little tiffs every once in a while?”