Chapter - 16

After playing a few games for a while , we were back to studying our notes . It was already five in the evening .

" I'm home . Sam ? " said a voice from the living room just as I was about to start revising again .

I just looked at Sam confused .

" It must be my mom, " said Sam as he got up from his bed where he had been sitting . " Oh . "

" Sam ? " called out Mrs. Jade again . " Yes mom ." said Sam and went outside as I followed him .

" Hey - oh hey " greeted Mrs. Jade as she saw me .

" Um - hi Mrs. Jade . " I waved . " I'm Ellie . Ellie Hansler . "

" Oh hey . I remember Ellie . It's been so long . How have you been ? You've grown so big . " said Mrs. Jade and came and hugged me .

" It's great to meet you . " I hugged her back .

" Likewise sweetie . " she pulled away .

" How have you been ? " she asked .

" I've been great .” I replied politely .

" Well - you'll be staying for dinner right ? " she asked me as she collected her bags that she had dropped while hugging me .

" Oh uh - I don't know . I probably shouldn't . "

" Oh nonsense . You should stay . I'll call you when dinner's ready . "

" I don't wanna give you much trouble Mrs. Jade . It’s fine . “

" Oh it is no trouble at all dear . '' she said with a huge smile .

" Can I then please at least help ? . " I asked . " It's ok dear - you can go and study . "

" We're done with it - right Sam ? “ I asked as he nodded . “ Please - the least I can do is help . " I insisted .

" You're really kind, dear . Thank you . "

" It's no problem . " I smiled . " Well - I'll just quickly freshen up and we can start . How does that sound ? " she asked .

“ That sounds great . “ I nodded .

" Okay then . " she nodded her head and headed towards a door which I assumed was her room .

" Your mom is really nice . " I told Sam . " Yeah . She is the best . " he smiled looking towards the door .

" You wanna call your dad and let him know you'll be here for dinner ? "

" Oh right . I'll just do that . "

***

" You are good with knives . " commented Mrs. Jade when I started cutting the vegetables . Sam was just shocked .

" Thank you . " I laughed .

" Where'd you learn to do all of this ? " asked Sam .

" This ? "

" The cooking and the cutting, " he clarified .

" Oh - I was always interested in cooking since I was little . I always used to help in the kitchen . "

" That's really sweet of you . Mr. Sam here has to be forced to cook or to even do something in the kitchen . I can never understand this boy . “ she said as she pointed the knife she was using towards Sam . “ Woah mom . I’m still your son . Don’t kill me . “ he joked . “ Not today . “ joked Mrs. Jade too .

“ Well today I'm glad he's having no problem at all being in the kitchen . " teased Mrs. Jade, making my cheeks heat up .

" Mom . " Sam whined, making her laugh .

***

After eating dinner and helping with the dishes , we all were in the living room just chatting . Mrs. Jade was asking me about myself and my family .

" How's your mom ? She must be proud of you . " said Mrs. Jade .

" Mom . " Sam warned her . " Oh - I'm sorry . "

" No, it's okay . I am close with my mom too . I go to her house when I can , mostly on holidays . It’s nice . My mom and dad are fine too actually . They're like friends now . " I told them .

" Well - I'm glad to hear that . " she smiled .

“ What about your dad ? “

“ Well - he has a job here and he has us . It’s quite nice . “ I replied .

“ It must be hard without a mom at times . “ she said .

" To be honest , not really . Our dad well - he acts like our mom at times . Telling us stories and talking to me about my love life and what not . " I laughed .

" Sam's dad was the same . He would talk to Leah about her love life when she was only 10 ." laughed Mrs. Jade . Sam's head hung low .

" Leah ? " I asked her, confused as I had never heard that name before .

Mrs. Jade turned to look at Sam and gave me a small smile . I smiled back with a nod .

" Well - it's really late . " I said, looking up at the watch . " I should probably get going . Thank you so much for dinner Mrs. Jade . It was great meeting you . I'll be going now . " I said standing up .

" Oh it was my pleasure dear . " she said standing up too .

" Good bye " I said and walked towards the door .

" I'll walk with you . " said Sam as I reached the door . " No - it’s okay . You don't have to . I can go on my own . Besides , it’s not that far away . “

" No no . I'll walk you . Come on . " he insisted . I nodded my head and followed him outside and started walking in silence beside Sam .

Walking around in the neighborhood in the cold weather with Sam at that moment was weird , there was this awkward tension between us .

" My dad passed away when I was eight years old . Just after a year when I was nine , my sister - Leah passed away . " said Sam, breaking the silence making me look at him . He seemed so sad . I just went and hugged him tightly .

" I'm so sorry about that . " I whispered, holding him close . He wrapped his arms around me .

" Thank you . " he said when we pulled away . I just held his hand and started walking .

" My mom really likes you , you know, " he said after a while with a smile .

" I mean - who wouldn't ? I'm awesome . " I said, making him laugh .

“ I agree . “ he said with a smile and held my hand tightly .