Chapter TWELVE

My exam week was as stressful and annoying as it sounds but I made it through. It was full out summer, which meant I could do whatever I wanted. Of course, dad's business was busier in the summer and mom still went to the office during the week. I had a lot of time to myself. It was hard to believe I was almost a high school senior.

   Maddie, Teah and I had been plans for the summer. We had made them months ago, knowing it was the first year we would be allowed to go camping at Maddie's family's trailer on our own. We also planned to drive an hour south to go to the big fair in July. We were seventeen. We weren't kids anymore. It was supposed to be the perfect summer.

   I had seen Parker a few times that week, but mostly only to hang out for an hour in the evening. I would sit with him and Aidan in their living room, half watching a movie. I liked being there.

   On Friday, the end of my exam week, my mom surprised me by being home before me.

   "I took a half day, so we could plan dinner!" she told me, hugging me. "Congrats on being done the school year!"

   "Thanks.. so, dinner?" I asked, stepping back.

   "I was thinking a backyard bbq! Your favourite. You can ask the girls to come?" my mom went on.

   Usually, I'd have loved the idea of a big bbq with my friends. But Teah was going to visit her grandmother that night, and Maddie was probably hanging out with Adam.

   "They're busy," I told my mom, then added, "could we invite Parker and his family?"

   For a second, she was shocked. She hadn't interacted with Parker's family at all, besides the occasional wave. But I saw her eyes change and she said, "How's his brother doing?"

   "He's... he always seems happy when I see him. But I know it's... not good." I hung my head. "He might not be able to come."

   "Well, you can ask them anyway." She smiled, then hugged me again.

   I decided to go right next door, even though I knew Parker wasn't there. I was excited. I was hoping for a new chance for our families to get to know each other. I wanted our families to be friends.

   But when Mrs. Allen opened the door, slowly, after I knocked a few times, I knew something was wrong.

   "Oh, hi, honey." She looked so tired. "Parker is..."

   "Oh, I know he's working. I wanted to invite you three to a bbq tonight, in my backyard..."

   "Oh, Becca," she said, forcing a smile. "thank you for thinking of us. It's been a rough day, a few rough days for Aidan. He needs to rest."

   Parker hadn't told me Aidan was having a hard time. I had had seen them two days ago.

   "Okay, sorry. I hope he feels better soon," I told her. My heart sank when I saw the look on her face. Hopelessness.

   "Thank you, honey. Parker can come over. I'll tell him you came by when he gets home."

   "Okay," I said again. Then I just stood there, waiting for her to say something else.

   "Honey, Parker has really... changed over the last couple of months. He's become a responsible, happy teenager. I know that is largely because... you and him have become friends. It's just... he's sensitive. He takes things to heart. He gets hurt easy, you know?"

   I nodded. I knew what she meant.

   "He really likes you Becca. And it's been awhile since I've seen him look at anyone how he looks at you," she went on, now smiling for real.

   I blushed, then told her I had to get home to help my mom.

   For hours, I kept thinking about that. Those words. How did he look at me? Maddie had said it, too. But Parker hadn't told me anything, so how was I supposed to know?

   When I heard my dad's truck in the driveway, finally, I I practically ran out the front door and down the steps. I'd spent an hour making veggie kabobs and cutting lettuce for salads. Now, I saw Parker getting out of the truck; his eyes were on mine.

   "Oh, what a nice greeting," my dad laughed, hugging me as he passed by. "How was your last exam?"

   "Fine, uh good," I said quickly.

   Parker smiled but crossed over into his yard without waiting for me.

  "Parker," I called out.

   He stopped and looked back over his shoulder. "Yeah?"

   I hadn't talked to him since Thursday night, when he called me as I got into bed. We only talked a few minutes. Everything was up in the air between us and I didn't like it.

   "How was your day?" I asked him, walking closer.

   "Great," he said right away. "I mean, no Connor."

   "Good," I nodded.

   He was sweaty, now I could see that. His hair was wet and he already had a golden tan. His eyes looked brighter. My heart skipped a beat.

   "Your mom said you can come over for a bbq," I told him.

   "You talked to my mom?"

  "Yeah, I invited you all..."

  "Aidan is not good right now. He's tired, and his legs and arms hurt..."

   "I know... sorry."

   Parker shrugged, shaking his head. "I'll call you in a bit, okay?"

   "Yeah, okay," I answered, hoping he actually would.

   He didn't seem very happy with me for talking to his mom, but I just wanted him know that I was trying. I wanted my parents to see how great his family was. I needed them to see that.

   It was after 6:30P.M. when it was time to eat. Mom had everything laid out on the patio table, enough food for ten people. Dad was bbqing burgers and steaks. I had texted Maddie to tell her to come, with Adam. I wasn't sure that Parker would come; he hadn't even called. My heart felt heavy.

   Maddie had told me that they were on their way, so when the side gate opened, I assumed it was them. But when I looked over, it was Parker. He had changed into different shorts and a collared tee - he looked and smelled like he'd showered. My heart picked up it's pace again.

   "Sorry if I'm late," he said, looking at my mom, and not me. "Thanks for having me."

   "Oh of course, we are glad you came! Look at all this food!" my mom laughed.

   I smiled at Parker and he returned it, finally. We sat down on the deck stairs, a bit away from my parents. He was quiet, like usual.

   "Hungry?" I asked him.

   "Yeah, for sure."

   "How's Aidan?"

   "He's sleeping."

   "Oh -"

   "Becca?" His voice was a whisper.

   "Yeah?"

   "Thank you."

   "For what?" I asked, confused.

   "I've lived in four different cities in three years. No one has ever cared enough to invite my family to a bbq."

   I reached over and touched his hand, feeling sparks shoot through me.

   "I care. A lot," I told him.

   He smiled again and turned his hand over so our palms were touching. I was just about to curl my fingers around his when I heard the gate open and close again.

   "Hey!" Maddie's loud voice boomed through the yard, and I jumped up, looking at her.

   I didn't look back at Parker because I knew exactly what his face would look like.