About Thomas and Maria.

We went our own ways not too long after breakfast. Everyone had stuff to do and I had to get mine done before going to work. I had to go back to the store to continue down the checklist of things for the house, then stop by the construction site again to check on the progress per Mr. Moore’s request. I wasn’t going alone, though. Thomas texted me saying he wanted to talk, and when I told him I had stuff to do for the house, he said he’d tag along. I was happy to have him.

We met in front of the store, shook hands without any other words and went in.

“How’s summer been treating you?” I asked him as we started walking the aisles. “We haven’t been able to hang out too much.”

“Your fault. You’re a busy man these days,” Thomas said.

“Maybe you have too much free time?”

“I met some guys at the park and started playing basketball with them. They’re in university and they’re really good, so it’s been great practice.”

“They don’t look down on you for being younger?” I asked him.

He laughed. “They did at first, and they ARE better than me. But after a while I sort of earned their respect. They’re cool people, all in all.”

“That’s good. How are things with Maria, by the way?” I asked him, stopping by at the aisle with the floor tiles to check my references. “I’ve been meaning to drop by the coffee shop, but haven’t had the time.”

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about, actually,” Thomas said. “I… We. We finally talked to my parents about wanting to move in together.”

My eyes shot wide open and my neck almost snapped from how quickly I turned from my phone to look at him. “Did you? How did it go?”

Thomas grimaced and rubbed the back of his neck. “Not as bad as expected, but not too well, either.”

“Shit, what did they say?”

“It hasn’t been that long since I introduced her to them. They’ve been… cautiously optimistic, mostly because Maria is great at making people like her. But moving in together… They think it’s too soon. That’s what they say, anyway.” Thomas groaned. “I think they believe one of us will get tired of the other at some point, that it’s not going to work out in the long run. They’re not saying it, but I think they believe that if we move in together, it’ll only make things worse WHEN we break up.”

“Well… You HAVE only been dating for about half a year,” I told him.

He raised an eyebrow at me. “And you think you can talk?”

“I’m saying that’s how it looks to your parents. They’re looking out for you.”

Thomas sighed. “I know, I know! But… This is the first time I feel like I’m in a mature relationship. We’re not fooling around, Oliver, you know that.”

“I do, believe me. So? Your parents won’t let you?”

He shook his head. “They will, but they’re not making it a secret that they don’t approve of it. It doesn't help that Maria’s house is further away from the university than mine. I can’t even use that as an excuse.”

“So the real issue is that you don’t like being at odds with your parents, right?”

“Yeah. I’ve always had their trust. I’ve never had trouble asking them for permission to do anything. Even now they’re letting me do what I want and will support me, but… It hurts that they don’t seem to believe Maria is serious about me. Was your mom like that with Diana, too?”

“Not exactly,” I said. “She was more worried about an older woman possibly influencing me in some strange way. That and the different priorities we would have. Time helps, though. Your parents will eventually see she’s serious, too.”

“...” Thomas grimaced and looked up, staring at a floor tile on display with a cross-shape pattern. “What if she isn’t, though? What if my parents are right?”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Are you having doubts now?”

“I mean… My parents have been married for 20 years now. I remember they asked me a couple of times if things were okay between me and Lyla, just a month before she broke up with me. Maybe they can smell this sort of thing.”

“Hey, do you trust me?” I asked him.

“Hm? What? I mean, of course I do. Why else would I be telling you all this?”

“No, I mean, if you trust my judgement on relationships.”

“Don’t you have a magical sixth sense for this stuff?”

“Correct.”

“Then… Yeah. I do.”

“Maria is serious about you, Thomas. If anything, she might share your parents’ opinion and believe you’re the one who’ll get tired of her. That your priorities will shift or that you’ll find someone more compatible.”

“...” Thomas swallowed and sighed. “Any chance you have a magical trick down your sleeve to help me show her I’m serious about this relationship?”

“Sadly, this is the type of thing that only time will prove. Who knows? Maybe you will change your mind eventually, not because you want to hurt her, but because you’ll experience new things. It’s up to you to remain committed and show it to her every day, even if in small ways.”

He groaned. “And do you have any tips regarding those small ways? Come on, dude. If you can’t give me something, no one can.”

“...” As always, I can’t say I don’t understand why everyone thinks I have the answer to their love issues, but even I’m still figuring things out. “Learn about the things she cares about, the things she does every day and help her with one or two. Basically, show her she’s part of your life now, not just someone you see on weekends and special occasions.”

“Oh. Oh, shit, that makes sense.”

“Glad I could help. Don’t blame me if it doesn’t work, though. I can give you some advice, but you’re the one who has to put it into practice.”

“Right, right. Oh, and… there was something else I wanted to ask you.”

I nodded. “Tell me when you’re moving out. I’ll bring the van and help out.”

“Oliver, if we were gay I’d kiss you.”

“Sorry, you’re too beefy for the hypothetical gay Oliver.”

“Whaaaaaat?”

Man, why is messing with him so fun? I feel like such an ass, but I can’t help it.

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