My life was fine, just fine, and now it’s kind of like it’s shrunk and there’s too much trying to push its way in.

Kind of like at lunch today. I was sitting with Luis, and, you know. It was all just getting to me. He was getting to me, too.

“You going to eat those?”

Here I am trying to figure out what’s happening in my life, and all Luis is interested in is my tater tots. I pushed the tray towards him. “Be my guest.”

The way he’s smiling, I just wish I could be made so happy so easily.

“So what are we doing this weekend?”

Maybe we’re learning not to speak with our mouth full of processed potato products. “I think I’ve got some family thing.”

“You and your mom?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

“What kind of thing?”

I shrug. “Dinner or something.”

“Don’t you eat dinner with your mom every night?”

Well, he’s got me there. “Yeah, but, it’s my mom and this other woman.”

At least on that news he’s stopped chewing. “Like a date, or something?”

“Yeah, okay? My mom’s going on a date.” Not that I’ve definitely committed to going with her, yet. I’ve been talking to Jeri about something she’s putting together at her place. But I’m pretty sure she’s planning on going, so that doesn’t mean Im lying or anything.

“Wow.”

“It’s, you know, normal.”

“My mom only dates guys.”

As if that were my fault. “So?”

“So, that’s not weird.”

This is something I really don’t want to deal with today. “My mom is not weird.” Not for dating women, anyway.

And here I thought Luis was cool with this kind of stuff.

“Well, you know, I’d think it’d be weird. You know, your mom and some woman.”

“C’mon, Luis, this is my mom you’re talking about. You know, the woman who made you cookies a few weeks ago.”

He dumped all of his stuff onto my tray, which made a totally unappetizing mess. “Yeah, but, you know, she wasn’t dating anyone then.”

“Luis, just do not get too weird about my family.”

“I’m not getting weird.”

If you have to say it, Luis, I don’t know that I believe you.

“It’s just” I’m working on learning the strict look from mom. Not that it works all the time for me. But this time, it worked enough. “So, have you met this woman?”

“Yeah.”

“And what’s she like?”

Well, I could tell him that she kind of looks like me, but if he thinks we’re already into the weird about my mom dating, well, that would probably be a bit much for the boy. I shrugged.

“Have you met her?”

“Yeah.” It’s a minimal response, but it’s accurate.

“And?”

“And stop asking me so many questions.”

Great. Now he’s pouting. As if my day wasn’t enjoyable enough. First, I got an email this morning from one Bette Porter, asking me to dinner, along with my mom, on Saturday night. This coming Saturday night, I might add. I should have known she and my mom were up to something when mom had that chat with me the other night.

“I should be able to ask questions.” Finally, he comes up with a retort.

Not that I’m buying it. “Why?”

“Because I’m your boyfriend, that’s why.”

You know, Im not sure that’s a good enough reason. “Well I can fix that.”

I got up and left, leaving him the messy tray, and leaving him single. I don’t need to be going out with a pouty kid right now, anyway.

Damn tears. I hate this girl stuff.

I managed to avoid Luis for the rest of the day, even if that meant not going to my locker and not turning in my trig homework. I don’t care if my teacher believes me that it was done on time or not, sometimes you just have do stuff because you have to, and stuff.

I thought things might get better after school but mom was home.

“How was school?”

“Fine.” I dropped my bookbag on the floor near the couch. That earned a look.

“So, Jess, have you thought about this weekend at all?”

Drop the pretense, mom, I know what you’re plotting. I shrugged.

“You know, Bette would like you to go to dinner on Saturday night. It would give us all a chance to talk.”

“She emailed me about it.”

“And?”

“And I think Jeri’s got something going on Saturday night.”

“Jess.”

“C’mon, mom.”

Mom’s mouth was set in a hard line, but I could see her thinking. I might just be able to squirm out of this one yet. “So, it’d be at Jeri’s house?”

“Yeah.”

“And Jeri’s parents will be there?”

Judging from what Jeri’s telling me about her plans, I’m sort of finding that doubtful, but I really don’t know for sure. “Probably.”

Question is, will that answer fly?

“Have Jeri’s mom call me about this, then you can go.”

Shot down. “I’ll see.”

“Jess.”

“What?” I picked up my bookbag. Maybe she’d let me make a retreat.

“You aren’t going unless I know there will be adults there.”

Why can’t alternative lifestyle mean alternative parenting? “Mom.”

“Jessica.”

The name’s lengthening, which means mom’s temper is getting shorter. “Yeah, ok.”

“You know, Bette would really like to see you.”

Yeah, mom, so she says, since that’s what you want to hear. “I guess.”

“Think about it.”

Uh, ok, I’ll think about it. And I’ll give you an answer in a month or two.

As much as I generally look forward to the end of the school week, I think at this point, given the upcoming weekend, I’m wishing for a few extra Thursdays.

(tbc)