Sidelined
Ben chuckled. It didn’t take long to recognize some of Skye’s stubbornness. “So, where did you ladies decide we’re going to eat tonight?”
“Oh, I thought maybe we should order in. Mom, you’ve got to be exhausted from driving for four days. I have lots of menus.” Skye scurried to a drawer in the kitchen and returned with an armful of menus.
“That’s nonsense. I told you I wanted to take you out to dinner. What’s your favorite place?” Patty didn’t look at the menus.
“Mom, it’s too much. Maybe tomorrow night. We can order anything you want.”
Patty turned to Bolt. “Ben, what’s your favorite spot?”
He shifted his han
ds in his pockets. Being in the middle of two women like this wasn’t a comfortable position. “I’m up for anything. I’ll let you girls decide.”
“Ok. Fine. We can go out.” Skye walked to the door and reached for a jacket. “There’s an Italian place around the corner. How does that sound, Mom?”
A light flickered behind Patty’s eyes. “Honey, I’ll go wherever you want. I don’t want to be a bother.” She winked at Bolt. “I do love Italian.”
He followed them out the door.
“How’s your lasagna, Mom?” Skye asked over a glass of red wine. She hadn’t stopped peppering her mother with questions since they left the apartment.
“It’s quite cheesy. I like it.” Patty smiled. “So, Ben, I want to hear about your job. What do you fly exactly?”
“Mom, he doesn’t want to talk about work.”
Bolt smiled. “It’s fine. I don’t mind talking about flying. It’s one of my favorite things.” He looked at Skye’s mother. “I fly fighter jets for the Marine Corps out of Miramar.”
“Oh my word. That’s impressive. So you work for the government?”
“I guess so, but I don’t really think about it like that. I fly for the military. It’s not like I’m involved with what’s going on in D.C.”
Patty paused before asking another question. “But, do you fly secret missions? The kinds of things you aren’t supposed to tell us about?”
“Mom! That’s enough. Let Ben eat his pasta.” Skye looked mortified.
“I have been overseas if that’s what you’re asking.” He leaned into the table. “If I’ve flown a secret mission, I can’t really tell you about it.” He stabbed a penne noodle on the end of his fork.
“I knew it!” Patty laughed. “Secret missions. Skye, this is exciting.”
Bolt didn’t think it hurt to feed her interest in his job; however, the expression on Skye’s face told him otherwise. He knew he’d be getting a thorough rundown on what he could talk about tomorrow on his day with her mother.
Bolt waited for an extreme Patty Stephens meltdown, but the evening was a normal get-to-know-you dinner. He was having a good time with the two women.
“Mom, why don’t you tell us what’s going on back at home? Who is watching the dogs?”
“I dropped them off at the kennel. I couldn’t very well drive across the country with two dogs to worry about.” She took a bite of salad.
Bolt noticed Skye fidgeted with her napkin, glass, and everything on her plate. She was a completely different woman with her mother next to her. Part of him wanted to reach across the table and tell her everything was fine. He was fine. Dinner was fine. But the part that always made him hold back his emotions, won out. He finished his meal and observed the dynamic between the two women, wondering what all of this meant.
After dinner they walked to Skye’s apartment. Bolt stood in front of the entrance door. Had it only been two night’s ago they kissed against this wall? Running into her again had changed everything. It was still changing things.
“Thank you for letting me tag along on your dinner, Patty. Skye, what time do you need me in the morning?”
“Mom, can you give us a second?”
“Oh sure, honey. I’ll just wait in here.” The mother disappeared through the door.
“Thanks for tonight. Are you sure about tomorrow? You can still back out. I wouldn’t blame you if you did.” Skye stood several feet away.