*Aunt Suzie's Dinner*
1094 Words
Her mom’s voice was a mix of relief and irritation. “Zoe, I made lunch for you but you didn’t show up? I was worried sick!”
Zoe winced. “Mom, sorry... I didn’t make it. I’m at Heiley’s. We had lunch here.”
Her mom’s tone shifted to curiosity. “Heiley’s? How’s she doing? It’s been ages since I heard from her... since... you know.”
Zoe’s expression softened. “She’s... okay, Mom. It’s been tough, but she’s doing okay.”
Her mom’s voice warmed. “I’m glad she’s okay. Tell her I asked about her. And you, come home for dinner. I’m waiting.”
Zoe sighed, glancing at Troy. “Okay, Mom. I’ll head home soon.”
“And Zoe? Bring Heiley too. I want to see her. It’s been too long.” Her mom’s voice was firm but warm.
Zoe hesitated. “Mom... maybe. I’ll ask her, okay?”
Her mom wasn’t having it. “No maybe, Zoe. Bring her. I’ll make enough food. 7 PM, don’t be late.”
Zoe rolled her eyes, smiling despite herself. “Okay, Mom. We’ll try.”
Troy was watching, amused. “Sounds like you got plans.”
Zoe laughed. “Yeah. I have to tell Heiley about dinner.” Troy nodded and they headed to Heiley’s room.
Zoe and Troy walked in, finding Heiley typing on her phone. Zoe plopped beside her on the bed. “Hey, what’s up? Mom invited you to dinner.”
Heiley looked up, distracted. “Just texting... stuff.”
Troy wandered to Heiley’s photo shelf, scanning pictures of them younger. He chuckled at a silly beach photo.
Heiley glanced up. “Oh, don’t go digging up old stuff.”
Troy grinned. “Too late. You were cute.”
Zoe leaned over. “Ooh, let me see!”
Troy handed her a picture of Heiley with a big smile and messy hair. “Look at young Heiley.”
Zoe’s eyes widened. “Wow, you were so pretty! Like, ridiculously pretty.”
Heiley rolled her eyes, laughing. “Shut up.”
Zoe kept admiring the photo. “Seriously, Heils, you were a total cutie.”
Heiley smiled, phone forgotten. “Okay, okay. So... dinner at your mom’s. I need to tell Dad first.”
“My little Hei always informing Dad before leaving home,” Troy teased, flipping through her album and laughing at their funny poses. Heiley threw a pillow at him. “Stop it.” Zoe chimed in, “Troy, toss me the album.”
Zoe went through the photos, smiling. “My Hei always beautiful, but look at Troy. He looks younger than you in these.”
Heiley laughed at the photo. “Sure, Troy. Look at this. I was even bigger than you back then.”
Troy nodded. “Hmm, but who’s taller now? Plus, I’m three years older. I was the elder one.”
Zoe beamed. “Guys, how about we take other photos? Three of us.” They all agreed.
Heiley stood, setting her phone on the bedside table. “Let me inform Dad about dinner. I’ll be back soon.” The two kept going through the photos.
Heiley slipped out, heading toward her dad’s study. She peeked inside, but he wasn’t there.
Nancy was tidying in the hallway. “Looking for your dad, Miss?”
Heiley nodded. “Yeah, where is he?”
Nancy smiled. “He’s in the garden, backyard. He needed fresh air.”
Heiley headed for the back door. “Thanks, Nancy.”
She walked through the quiet house and out into the garden. Her dad was in the far corner, pruning plants.
Heiley crossed the lawn. Her dad looked up, squinting in the sun. “Hey, Princess. What’s up?”
Heiley smiled. “Just wanted to let you know, I’m heading to Zoe’s for dinner. Her mom invited us.”
Her dad nodded, putting down the pruning shears. “Sounds good. Take care and make sure you eat enough.”
Heiley laughed. “Yeah, Dad. To Auntie Suzie’s cooking, I’ll eat.”
Her dad smiled. “Alright. Tell her I said hi.”
Heiley turned to leave, then paused. “Dad... Troy and Zoe... they’re kinda...”
Her dad raised an eyebrow. “Kinda what?”
Heiley shrugged. “Together. Like, now dating. So can you stop the engagement please.”
Her dad’s expression was calm. “I know, sweetheart. I heard your conversation earlier.”
Heiley’s eyes widened slightly. “And you’re... okay with it?”
Her dad chuckled. “Heiley, Troy’s like a son to me. If you both are happy, I’m happy.” But inside him, he was scared. He hadn't found a match heart donor. He never wanted to force his daughter, but leaving her in good hands that's only what he wanted.
Heiley smiled, relieved. “Okay. I love you, Dad. I’ll be going now.”
Her dad nodded and went back to pruning. “Love you too, Princess. Go, have fun.”
Heiley headed back inside, smiling.
As she entered her room, Troy was still looking through old photos, Zoe beside him laughing. “Troy, stop. Show me that. What are you hiding!”
Heiley grinned. “Dad is cool. He also agreed to call off the engagement. Let’s go eat Aunt Suzie’s food.”
Troy put the photos down. “Hell yeah.”
---
Zoe’s mom opened the door, a big smile on her face. “My babies! Heiley, come here!” She hugged Heiley tightly.
Then her eyes landed on Zoe and Troy, hands intertwined. Her smile froze for a split second.
“Zoe... Troy...?” Her tone was questioning, eyebrows raised.
Zoe’s face flushed slightly. “Mom, um... Troy and I... we’re...”
Heiley stepped forward quickly, trying to save it. “Aunt Suzie, can we have a seat first? I’m going to...”
Zoe’s mom cut her off, her expression serious. “Heiley, no excuses. But Zoe, what’s going on? Troy is Heiley’s...”
The air was thick with tension. Troy and Zoe exchanged a look.
Heiley took a deep breath, smiling calmly. “Aunt Suzie, I think there’s a misunderstanding. Troy and I... we were engaged a long time ago, when we were kids. We realized we didn’t have feelings for each other — romantic ones. We’ve been friends forever, and... We told my dad, and he’s totally okay with it.”
Zoe’s mom looked taken aback, processing. “Oh... I didn’t know. Troy, how are you? But isn’t it a bit fast for you to be together?”
- Writer
