The Welcome Wagon (Second Half) s h a d e f e s t









Nathan's POV

My mama and daddy showed up about thirty minutes after Val's people, my mom looking surprisingly laxed and my dad looking sharp with a fresh haircut and everything. [Chuckles] Wow. I stand up like the gentleman I am and introduce my people to Val's folks (her lil sister still got that ugly ass mug on), and they exchange greetings.
Val starts telling her mom about how it was her idea to bring everyone together but it was my idea to do all this 'Gourmet Cooking'. Her mom gave me this weird little smirk that embarrassed me a little bit so I just said 'yeah I guess', and kept it moving.

Everybody's pretty much silent except for the TV and sounds of chewing and utensils clattering on the plates.

Nathan's dad [Mr. Edwards]: *Abruptly* So Nathaniel.
Me: Wassup.
Mr. Edwards: How you like living on ya own?
Me: It's straight... Got responsibilities now. Freedom. Y'know.
Mr. Edwards: Mm-hm. Freedom, huh?
Mrs. Edwards: [Cutting in] Well, you know if you need anything, we're still just a phone call away.
Me: Thanks Mama.
Mrs: Edwards: No problem.

Val's sister decides to speak up for the first time since she walked through the door, hell, I almost forgot her ass was here lol

Her: Val, how you afford this anyway... You ain't got no money...
Val: *Clears throat* First of all, I have a job and I, unlike you, understand the concept of saving money for a purpose in stead of blowing it on designer clothes that don't fit every Friday to hit a party. Any more questions my dear sister?
Me: [chuckles] Ooh. [covers mouth with a fist]

She cuts her eye at me but I just wink at her and continue to eat my food.

Mr. Edwards: So y'all just friends?
Me: Don't start.
Mr. Edwards: I'm just saying... Val how long you and Nathan known each other?
Val: Since third grade. [obviously becoming annoyed]
Val's mom: Wow, it's been that long??
Val: Mm-hm!
Mr. Edwards: That's what I'm saying. So son, you gon marry this gal or not... Already lookin' like you hittin' that thang anyway...

 Val's sister lets out the most heinous and ugly laugh... Like, I don't hit girls. But I wanted to chuck one of these damn lamb chop bones at her head. She already on my shit list from earlier and she still trying me... IN MY OWN HOUSE. I don't remember her being this damn rude last time I saw her... 
Next thing I know, Valentina's standing up and gathering her family's plates and shuffling around with a flustered look on her face. 

 Valentina: So mama, y'all want plates to take home?
Mrs. Suarez: That'd be fine, sweetie. 

 [She caught on a lot faster than I did.]
But when I do finally catch on, my mom is already on her feet with her coat on telling my dad to get his stuff... Maybe my reaction time was slower than normal... But I gotta apologize later on cuz that was ignorant.

 Everybody's heading to their cars and saying their goodbyes and they'll come back soon... (Val's not gonna allow that lmfao) my mom stayed back a little bit, I guess stalling. She gives me a hug and then slides a $100 bill in my hand, apologizes and walks to the car. I knew this was a bad idea... 

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