Time to head out.

Mrs. Cater met Scott in the garage. “You do look good in that uniform Scott.”

“You told me you weren’t a fan of men in uniform.”

“I did?”

“Yes, when Doug first brought me to the house.”

“Well, I guess there’s an exception now.”

Scott laughed.

Mrs. Carter waited a moment before speaking her mind.

“Scott, I know my husband talked to you this morning, but I would like to talk to you about Suzie as well.”

“No problem Mrs. Carter, it’s nice that she has parents who are looking out for her.”

“She’s a headstrong girl, and in many ways mature beyond her years, but in other ways she’s still a young girl without much experience of the world.”

“I can see that.”

“She’s head over heels Scott, yesterday she was infatuated, but now?”

Scott paused a minute before answering.

“She told me as much herself. I’ve tried to warn her that I’m not in any place to make that kind of commitment, but I really like Suzie, I think I love her, I just don’t trust myself or my feelings right now.”

“She’s put you in a rough spot.”

“Well, it’s not like I put up a fight. . .”

They passed the bike shop.

“That was the bike shop Mrs. Carter.”

“I’m taking you clothes shopping.”

“You don’t need to do that, Mrs. Carter.”

“I think I do Scott. I love my children and I try to give them good advice and let them make their own choices, but you and Suzie. . . this is such a bad idea and yet it already feels like it’s too late to stop it.”

Scott was taken aback.

“Suzie can’t think about anything but you, she’s obsessed right now, and that’s not how relationships flourish. I mean you two went from seeing each other for the first time in four years to spending the evening in the hot tub scandalizing our nosey neighbor.”

“I know it moved fast. . .”

“Let me finish Scott, please.” Scott was fuming, he wanted to defend himself and Suzie, but he also knew what she was saying was valid, he had the same reservations.

“If it was just hooking up I’d be fine with it, but Suzie looks up to you, she respects you. Now you are back home, you are out of school and have the ability to make money, I’m afraid Suzie is jumping into a very serious relationship on her end, and you admit you aren’t ready for that.”

“I know Mrs. Carter. She told me after last night she would marry me and run off if I wanted her to, I don’t know if there is anything she would say no to me about. It’s scary, but I really don’t know what to do about it.”

They arrived at the mall, headed into the department store.

Inside they were mostly quiet, keeping conversation to what clothes Scott should get. Mrs. Carter had a good sense of style, but it was a little outdated. He rejected the T-shirt and sport coat, denim on denim and cardigans.

By the time they were checking out he had a good base of outfits and they were getting along like usual. He changed into a new pair of jeans and a plain black T-shirt, Mrs. Carter bought him a hamburger and then drove him over to the Bike Shop. Before he got out she stopped him.

“Scott?”

“Yes Mrs. Carter?”

“I want you to know that James and I think the world of you. You are a well-rounded and honorable young man with a good work ethic. You’ve been a great friend to Doug and you were always a great example for Suzie. But she’s our little girl, and while I would love to see the two of you work out, she is going to be devastated if it doesn’t.”

She paused for a minute. Scott felt for her, he knew their relationship wasn’t going to be easy and that they were moving way too fast, he just didn’t know how to slow it down.

“Just. . . just be careful Scott.”

“I will Mrs. Carter, and thank you.”

“Anne, is that you?”

Scott heard the voice and knew it instantly.

“Hey Jenn, how are you?”

“Fine, you need your car looked at?”

“Oh no, honey, I’m just dropping someone off.”

Jennifer looked past Mrs. Carter and right at him.

“Scott. . .”