Just One Year(17)

“Mom and Dad, this is Caleb.” She turned to me, looking almost as nervous as I felt. “Caleb, these are my parents, Lawrence and Virginia McCabe.”

I extended my hand to each of them. “Very nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. McCabe.”

Her mother smiled. “I just love your accent.”

That was probably the thing I’d heard most since moving here. It was becoming a little annoying.

“Thank you.”

We sat down, and things turned quiet as her parents waited for us to peruse the menu. After we ordered, the inquisition I’d feared commenced.

Mr. McCabe crossed his arms. “So, Caleb, what is your major?”

I took a sip of my water. “Right now, I’m in general studies. I haven’t quite figured out what I want to do with my life.”

He took a moment to let that sink in. “You’re reluctant to commit.”

Here we go. “I suppose.”

“Sometimes in life, son, you have to make a choice and stick to it.”

I straightened in my chair. “Yes, I understand that. Life is all about choices. But I’m reluctant to make a decision about my career right now. So, I’m trying to find my passion so I can really focus on that in grad school. I’m hoping it comes to me soon, though.”

“What made you decide to go to school in the States versus back home?” Mrs. McCabe asked.

“Well, my university has a partnership with Northern, so I was able to study for a year here. And then the other three years will be back home.”

She seemed surprised. “Oh, you’re not here for the full four years?”

“No, ma’am. The plan is to go back home after this year.”

Veronica tensed. “Do you have the option to stay beyond this year if you wanted to?”

I wasn’t sure of the answer to that, but I wished Veronica hadn’t put me on the spot. We hadn’t discussed this before, and the first time should not have been in front of her parents.

“I haven’t really inquired, but my plan has always been to return home. I think my mum would have my arse if I stayed longer than a year.”

Veronica’s mother addressed her. “Are you prepared for Caleb to leave?” She turned to me. “Because you’re not taking our daughter to England.”

She said it in a joking manner, but I knew she meant it.

After the food arrived, I did my best to bury my face in my fajitas, hoping the questioning had stopped. I even fantasized about going to the men’s room and slipping out the window.

After her parents left to see Fenway Park, I breathed out a huge sigh of relief and immediately ordered a beer, thanking fuck that I was of legal age to do so right about now.

Veronica cringed. “I’m sorry they were so tough.”

It took me about a minute to respond, my frustration building with each second. “Whatever made you think it was a good idea to bring me here to meet them? Surely you knew how your parents would react toward me.”

“I never thought it would be that awkward.”

“Your father thinks I’m a dim idiot because I have no career path, and your mother expects me to relocate here permanently if I want to keep seeing you.”

Veronica looked like she was about to cry. I hadn’t meant to upset her; I was just baffled by her behavior.

I took a long swig of my beer. “Let’s just forget about it, okay? I’m sorry for getting upset.”

She sat and watched as I continued to sip my drink. As much as I’d urged her to forget it, I was still stewing as I looked out the window at the hustle and bustle of Kenmore Square. Mr. McCabe reminded me a lot of my own father—his critical nature. Perhaps that was why I was having such a tough time letting it go.

I remained in a contemplative state until my phone chimed, signaling a text had come in. It was probably the last thing I ever expected: a message from Maura.



Maura: Teagan is okay. But she was attacked at Syd’s Theater today. She stopped the guy before anything terrible happened. I can’t believe my worst fear came true.



What?

I got up from my seat. “I have to leave. Something’s happened back at the house. No time to explain. I’ll text you soon.” I didn’t even fully make eye contact with Veronica as I dashed away.

My pulse raced as I exited the restaurant and ran down Beacon Street toward Brookline. I would’ve hopped a trolley, but there was none approaching that I could see. So at this point, the fastest way home was to run.

When I got to the house, everyone had surrounded Teagan in the living room. Aside from one bruise on her face, she seemed fine—physically, at least.

I panted from my sprint. “Are you okay?”

Rather than answer, Teagan asked, “Did you run home?”

“Yeah. I heard you were hurt, so I got here as fast as I could.”

Maura smiled at me sympathetically. Lorne looked angrier than I’d ever seen him, and Shelley seemed downright scared.

I wanted to ask Teagan exactly what had happened, but I wasn’t sure she’d want to rehash it again. Instead, I sat down next to her and said nothing. She must have seen the many questions written all over my face because she started to talk.

“So, I was sitting in my usual seat. I thought I was alone for the longest time. But apparently there was a man somewhere in the theater. Either he spotted me outside and followed me in, or he was already in there. He came up next to me and put his hand over my mouth. I started to kick and scream, but my voice was muffled. He said he had a knife, but it was too dark to tell if he really did. Thankfully, I had the panic button I always keep with me. It makes a loud sound. I was able to reach into my pocket and grab it. When I activated it, a clerk ran into the theater, and the man let me go.”