Dinner with Aunt Peg

You are walking on air as you make your way toward the library. As you suspected this morning the day ended up having fantastic weather. Sunny, a slight breeze, not too hot...perfect. Everything was just perfect. You walk through the campus with a confident strut and a smile on your face.

You spend the next few hours working on an essay, though it was a challenge as your mind took every opportunity to relive your short time with Casey. It dawns on you that she never got around to telling you whatever it was she wanted to tell you as you surprised her with the flowers. Ohh...that reaction. She had loved your gift. You stifle a small laugh though it is still audible in the quiet still of the library study room.

After a while you come to grips with the fact you weren't going to get any more done today. You pack up your stuff and start the walk back toward your car.

Along the way you get another text. You hurry to read it, hoping it was Casey. Again it was Mom. "Supper? Your choice."

You quickly tap your message back. "Be home late. Eat without me."

Send.

Home was the last place you wanted to go right now. You weren't afraid to go home you just didn't want to spoil the good mood you were in right now. Aunt Peg had told you not to be a stranger. Plus you did tell El you would swing by to see how she was doing. You were also excited to share your day with someone. Peg's it was.

You turn on the radio, put down the window, and take a meandering and casual drive toward your aunt's place. You sing along to the songs and drum away on your steering wheel.

As you are turning onto Peggy's street you feel a grumble in your stomach. Damn, should have picked up something to eat. You knew Peg wouldn't mind you eating at her place but you didn't want to be a mooch either. Ah well, you were here now. You pull up and park. Just before you get out you pause. You pull out your phone again and shoot Casey a quick text.

"How was the rehearsal?"

She told you she'd be most of the evening so you don't wait for a response. You put your phone away and head up to the large black front door of your aunt's place. You ring the bell. Moments later the door opens, your little sister there to welcome you in. You were surprised to see your Aunt leaning back against the kitchen island. From what you knew she usually worked late.

"Hey, you're both here." You say in an upbeat mood as you take off your shoes.

Elsie hugs you. "Peg got here not long after me."

Your aunt looked happy. "It's nice to have someone to come home to. I have to take advantage while I can. Have you eaten Jesse?"

"Naw."

Peg then asks. "Does your mother know you are here?"

"Yeah, I told her I wouldn't be home for dinner."

She nods. "Good. I'll order us something. Pizza okay with you two?"

You and Elsie both laugh. "Uh...yeah!" You say almost in unison.

Your aunt approaches and puts an arm around your shoulders. "Did you have a good day?"

"Oh my god, did I ever!" You exclaim. Over the next little while you excitedly go through your day. You tell them in broad strokes about the break up then in specific detail about your meeting with Casey.

By the time you are done prattling on the three of you were sitting in the living room and the pizza had been ordered. All of you sat together on Peg's fine firm leather couch. You sat in the middle.

"My, quite a day." Your aunt beams. The latter part of your tale seemed to have warmed her heart.

El was over the moon for you. "Oh, Casey sounds so lovely! Oh, and the roses! So romantic." She rests her head on your shoulder and grips your arm. "I'm so happy for you."

You rest your head on Elsie's, excited to hear about her day. "And you El? Did Felix call?"

She shifts and you notice her and your aunt share a quick glance. "No. Not yet. Maybe he...uh...ya know, he's probably busy or something. Or maybe he doesn't...I don't know... But I'm glad it went so well with Casey!"

You shake your head, you weren't going to let her change the subject that easy. "You call him then ya silly girl."

Elsie blushes a shade of pink. "Oh...no, I couldn't. He'd think I was...uh...no..."

"He'd think you were interested...which you are!" You reach down and take her hand.

"Uhhhh..." El squirms uncomfortably. Her boldness from the night before evaporated after having time to think about it. "No...I...uh..."

"You both like video games. Get him online or something. Pair up in Fortnite or kick his ass on Street Fighter." You suggest.

"Um...no, he wouldn't like...uh..." Elsie's blush had only gotten worse. "I don't know..."

Aunt Peg chuckles. She reaches around you to stroke Elsie's back. "Settle down. It's only been a day. No need to rush Elsie. Give him a bit of time if you want."

"Yeah...a little time..." Elsie nods, relieved for the suggestion. "I can wait. It's only been a day. It's okay."

You could see she was disappointed but your aunt was right, it had only been a day. If Felix was as shy around girls as you think he is though you began to worry he might let this slip away from him. Perhaps you could bring it up to Casey the next time you talked to her.

Your aunt then says. "Hey, I was talking to Chloe today."

You feel a pang of shame flash through you. The last you saw her she had her fist up Allison's cooch. "Oh?"

"She feels awful about what happened Jesse, after she heard about how you felt. Truly awful. She was only trying to help...at least at first. She admits she kind of got carried away with it all." Peg sighs. "That girl of mine, I love her to bits but...she's a handful. I tried my best with her but...yeah...she's a handful." She then adds, almost to herself. "The apple didn't fall far from the tree."

You had never met Chloe's dad. He was out of Peg's life well before you were ever born. Some guy she met in high school you had heard. You shake your head. "She did what I asked. She was doing me a solid. I don't blame her for anything."

"Um...she said she's going to buy you a present. To make up for it." Your aunt cringes. "This is Chloe we're talking about and...she'll probably get her 'Daddy' to pay for it so...oh boy. Just know that her heart is in the right place, okay?"

You laugh. "Oh no! What is she buying me?"

"I have no idea. Heaven knows with her."

Elsie is giggling now too. "Oh no."

The chat continues and soon the pizza arrives. The food wasn't from one of the big chains. You should have guessed. It had come from some small Italian restaurant you had never heard of. It was loaded with quality ingredients. Fresh basil, a good mozzarella with some Parmesan, dark meaty pepperoni, a crust that was obviously fresh made and hand thrown. It smelled incredible! It was incredible. Remembering the lesson from this morning you eat slowly and savor every delicious flavor. You could really sense the quality of the ingredients used and the skill of the cook that prepared it.

During the meal you get a return text from Casey. "Rehearsal was good. Long. I am exhausted." You shoot her back a message of sympathy and return to your meal.

You notice Peg and El share a little grin as they watch you put your phone down.

The trio of you sit around the dining room table munching on the delicious pizza and chatting away. It dawns on you that your aunt's upscale tastes might align with Casey's. You ask about the restaurant the food came from, in case you wanted a place to take a date later on. Your aunt smiles, knowing exactly what you were talking about, and tells you.

You note that Peg was only drinking water. You knew her well enough to know she usually had a wine with her meal.

"Do you want me to get you a drink Peg? Wine?" You ask in curiosity.

She smiles and shakes her head. "No thank you. We have lesson three after we've let the food settle a bit. If you've got some time."

You perk up in your chair. "Alright! I was hoping you'd say that." You put your hands together in a cheesy martial arts style salute and bow to her. "What would you have me do master?"

Your aunt shakes her head. "No, no, no. You can cut that master stuff out right now. I know you're being playful but I need the real you Jesse. I need you grounded. Humor is a fine thing, a crucial thing actually, but it can be a mask as well. For now I need you focused and present. I am not your master. You're not just a pupil. You are my nephew. You are a fine young man Jesse, I just want to teach you a few things to help you on your path. Because I love you. I want you to find joy and happiness and see the beauty in yourself and others. Life is a banquet of pleasures and pains and it only lasts for so long. I want you to make the most of it." She grins. "Do you understand?"

"Oh! Wow!" She was taking this seriously! You straighten up in your seat. "Sure Aunt Peg. Thank you."

She nods, happy to see you seemed to understand.

"Soooo, what are we doing today?"

(Fair warning, it might be some time until we get to some actual smut again. This will likely end up being a much more story focused thread. Lots of these slice of life type chapters.)