Since 1998

The Cook Family

#The Cook Family

"Hey, why aren't you texting me back? Are you busy?" Devin's message popped up on her screen.

Allison's fingers hovered over the flip phone before she finally typed back. "No. Just taking a nap.”

The reply was instantaneous, like he’d been holding his breath with the phone clutched in his hand.

"Sam wants you and Anna to join us for a family dinner at their place."

Allison leaned her head back and sighed. "Sure. Anna and I will be there."

The next day, the Cook house was in chaos. It felt less like a home and more like a high-end restaurant at rush hour.

Sam stood in the middle of the kitchen, stifling a yawn while his mother, Eleanor, moved like a whirlwind between the stove and the counters.

"Mom, believe me, you’re going to like her," Sam insisted, trying to stay out of her way. "She’s incredible. She’s—"

"Oh, Sam," Eleanor cut him off, her focus entirely on her pans. "You’re far too young to be thinking about marriage."

"Marriage? Slow down, Mom. She’s just my girlfriend," Sam countered, a smirk playing on his lips.

His father, Robert, appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame with a look of pure amusement. "Don’t listen to your mother, son. We ran away together when she was only sixteen."

"Robert!" Eleanor gasped, her face turning a deep shade of crimson.

"See!" Sam laughed, pointing a finger at his dad. "You really are my best buddy."

The warm moment was cut short, and Cathy wandered in, immediately poking around in the fridge. She eyed the stacks of food with a suspicious squint. "What’s all this? Who’s getting married?"

Sam looked at his sister, and a sudden, sharp memory of Anna’s hand cracking across Cathy’s face flashed in his mind. He leaned in close, his voice dropping to a low hiss. "Sis... my girlfriend is coming for dinner tonight."

Cathy jumped back as if he’d slapped her. "What the heck, bro!"

"Hey! Mom will hear you," Sam warned.

Cathy’s eyes narrowed, the gears turning as she realized the girl who’d humiliated her was about to walk through her front door. Then, a new thought crossed her face. "Wait... is Devin coming too?"

"Absolutely."

Cathy’s expression smoothed out instantly, replaced by a sharp little grin. "Okay. In that case, I’ll join. I know Mom will push for it anyway," she giggled.

"But his girl will be there," Sam added bluntly.

"I don't care."

When Allison and Anna finally arrived, Devin stopped mid-sentence. A genuine smile broke across his face the second he caught sight of her walk up the steps.

In the living room, Ben and his fiancée, Christine, stood up to greet the newcomers. "Allison, you’ve grown so much," Ben said, his voice warm with genuine affection. "I'm so happy to see you again."

"It’s wonderful to see you, Ben. This is Anna, my best friend."

Anna stepped forward with her usual confidence, her hand extended. "So you’re the Ben I’ve heard so much about. Devin speaks of you constantly."

"Not only constantly, but Devin even said I talked like you..." Allison let out a laugh.

Ben beamed, clearly taken with her. "The memories."

As they moved toward the dining room, Sam couldn't stop staring at Anna, a proud grin plastered on his face. "Mom, she’s here. Tell me, what do you think?"

"Stop it, Sam. You’re embarrassing me," Anna murmured.

Eleanor stopped and checked on Anna. The edgy, sharp style was a world away from the "girl next door" Eleanor had probably imagined. "Oh, good heavens, you look like a gangster!"

"Mom, she is a gangster," Sam laughed as he nudged Anna.

"I used to be, Mrs. Cook," Anna said, her gaze steady and honest as she met Eleanor's eyes. "But now, I’m the kind of gangster who fights for the people she loves."

Eleanor blinked in surprise, her expression slowly softening into a smile. When Anna and Allison immediately started helping her clear the table, Eleanor let out a soft laugh, completely won over. "So... no longer a rebel, but a protector. Am I right?"

"Yes, Mom! That’s why I fell in love with her!" Sam shouted, making the whole table erupt in laughter.

Eleanor eventually turned her attention to the quiet young man at the end of the table. "And here you are, Devin. My favorite neighbor. Such a charming, quiet boy."

"Thank you, Mrs. Cook," Devin replied politely.

"Where is Cathy? Robert, go get her."

But Cathy was already there, sliding into her seat. "Now we’re complete," Robert noted.

Eleanor smiled, looking around at the young faces. "You know, Devin, I’ve always prayed for a man like you for my daughter. I always hoped you two would end up together, since you grew up as classmates."

The laughter slowly died. Allison's grip tightened on her fork, her stomach dropping at the words. Devin went still, his eyes locked onto Allison.

Cathy froze, her spoon hovering between her plate and her mouth. She let out a dry, quiet laugh to break the heavy silence. "Mom, stop. We’re just friends. Don't embarrass him in front of his actual girlfriend.”

"Really?" Eleanor asked, sounding genuinely surprised. "My bad. Sorry, kids. I didn’t know. But like I said... my wish for my daughter is someone just like him."

Eleanor went back to her dinner, completely unaware of the bomb she’d just dropped.

Cathy’s lips curled into a smirk that the adults missed, but Allison felt like it was personal.

It was a cruel irony: here was Cathy, in a family that prayed for Devin to be theirs, while miles away, Allison’s own father was ready to pull a trigger on him.

Robert cleared his throat, trying to pull the mood back from the edge. "So, you’re all heading to college?"

"Yes," Anna said.

"Tell me about your dreams, your plans."

Anna leaned back, a small, knowing smile on her face. "So, here we are, finally discussing the American Dream."

Robert laughed, the sound loud and genuine. "Because my son didn't have one," he said, winking at Anna. "But now that he’s met you, maybe he will."

Sam groaned, his face turning red. "Dad, come on. I have dreams. I'm just... still figuring them out."

Anna reached under the table and squeezed his hand. "Don’t worry, baby. I don’t have them figured out either. We’ll do it together."

Christine smiled at them from across the table. "It’s wonderful you’re all starting this fall. I teach at the university, so please, come find me if you ever need anything."