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Chapter 4: Ada

"It doesn't matter if I like him or not, I told you I'm not ready for a relationship." I don't admit that there may be a teeny tiny piece of me that does indeed want to learn more about him. "Plus, an attractive man like that has to have a significant other in his life."

She shakes her head. "There's no pictures of any girls on his Facebook." I feel a little ping of excitement inside me. Even though I refuse to pursue anything, the idea that he isn't taken offers a bit of room for potential.

"No pictures of girls," I emphasize, "he could be gay."

"Okay, true," She pauses, "however, he wouldn't look at you the way he did at the meeting, nor follow you out of the meeting if he was gay." How did he look at me?

"He just wanted to know where the bathroom was," I smile as I play back the scene in my head where he nervously walked into my class and couldn't muster up a better excuse other than the bathroom. I wonder why he followed me out of that meeting. Why would he do that? Maybe he's just a nice guy trying to make friends? I need to quit overthinking this because he probably isn't interested in me in any romantic way and I prefer it to stay that way. That might be a slight lie.

"Yeah, because he really needed help with that one." She says sarcastically as she bursts out laughing. "You're so annoying!"

"Have you met yourself, Mrs. G?" I say jokingly. "Now grab your shit, contract hours are almost up, let's get out of here." I'm still not used to leaving work on time. I spent a lot of time here last year to avoid going back home.

"Ugh, I'm not ready for tomorrow," Mel groans.

"Me either," I say, knowing deep down, tomorrow means I get to possibly interact with Chris again. The thought of seeing him gives me butterflies that are impossible to ignore. I can't wait until tomorrow. 

. . .

I make my way inside my parents' house. I know most people rush to live on their own as soon as they can, but I actually enjoy my parents' company. Plus, it saves me money, they cook great food, and I also like the idea of being there with them in case something happens. They're getting older, so it gives me peace of mind knowing I'm here if they need anything.

"Hey, mama," I say.

"I made you coffee if you want it." She says. "How was your first day back at work?"

"Perfect, thank you. I need caffeine badly," I respond, "and long, but at least everything is ready for when the students come tomorrow." I usually look forward to having the afternoon pick me-up with my mom since it's almost the only time we have to catch up on our lives and bond. Today, though, I needed time to decompress from the day.

"That's good. I'm going outside to drink my coffee, you can join me if you'd like."

"Okay." I say.

I hear the front door open and my dad walks in. He opens the hallway closet, puts his shoes away, sets his lunchbox on the extra chair at our kitchen table, and brings his travel mug to the sink. "Hi, Pa." I say.

"Hi." He responds. I walk over to the fridge to pull out some milk for my coffee. "It's hot outside."

I nod. "Yeah it is."

"Can you check what it will be tomorrow?" He asks this everyday. I pull up the weather app on my phone and hold it up to him, so he can take a look at the weather. "Oh, eighty-two, tomorrow, mostly sunny, with a low of sixty-eight. Hot again." I put the milk back in the refrigerator, but leave the door open for him so he can take his dinner out of the fridge, which is meatloaf with a side of potatoes and steamed broccoli. He cooked it on Saturday and has been eating it every single day since.

My dad tends to cook a big batch of something because he loves to eat it each day for the full week, meanwhile my mom and I get sick of it by the third day, so we usually grab something else, when he doesn't see, of course.

My dad heats up his dinner while I sit at the table watching videos on my phone. Once he sits down and begins to eat, he pauses, which means he's about to say something.

"My meatloaf turned out really good," he begins to tell the same story he's been telling since Saturday, "your mom said to mix ground turkey in with the beef this time, but I don't think that would taste right."

"Turkey and beef doesn't sound like a good combination, you're right," I am half engaged in his conversation, while the other half is staring at my Facebook app debating on whether or not I should look up Mr. Gym Teacher.

"See? Pork is better with it." My dad begins to laugh hysterically. I release a chuckle. "You should have some. Can't throw anything away."

"Yeah, I'll heat some up later, Pa. I'm having my coffee right now." I say.

"One time I made a meatloaf with turkey and..." My dad pauses. Anytime he's stuck on a word, he wiggles his pointer and middle fingers and closes one of his eyes. I take a sip of my coffee as I wait for him to finish his sentence, even though I already know what it is.

"Um...bee- no, puh, puh- " he stutters.

"Pork?" I suggest.

"Yes, yes, yes," he says excitedly, "One time I made meatloaf with turkey and pork and it was ok, but this one is better."

"Ahh, I see." I say as I click my app.

"When I was little, my mom made meatloaf too." He continues.

"What kind of meat did she use?" I ask while locking my phone screen. I really shouldn't do this. I don't care enough. Or at least I shouldn't care.

"My dad was a- he would kill animals, so she used pork a lot. Sometimes beef."

"Yeah, grandpa was a butcher. That sounds good." I say. "You always had fresh meat, which must have been nice." My dad puts his head down to continue eating. Just as I unlock my phone again, my mom comes in.

"It is beautiful outside, oh I see Pa is home from work! How was it? Did you have a good day?" My mom is always so cheerful. No matter what's going on in her life, she never fails to just smile. She brings so much joy and laughter wherever she goes. I really wish I was more like her, but instead I'm the exact opposite.

"Yeah." My dad mutters.

"Okay, I'm going to go to church tonight for a special prayer. Did you hear about that horrible accident? Poor family." She's also very religious, whereas, once again, I'm the exact opposite. "Okay, see you guys soon."

"Bye." My dad and I say simultaneously. I walk over to my bedroom to change into workout clothes, while my dad stays in the kitchen to wash the dishes. I grab my headphones, water bottle, and granola bar.

"I'm going to the gym," I say, "call me if you need anything."

"Okay." He says, focusing on his dishes.

I grab my keys and head out.