About 10 minutes later, I called everyone in for dinner. Spencer had helped
me set the table for the eight of us. Spencer sat across from me on one end of
the table. I was eating innocently when I felt someone kick me. I looked up at
Spencer and his face turned red.
“Sorry.” he whispered across the table. I tried to hide my laughter by
taking another spoonful, and was nearly unsuccessful. He seemed really shy today.
We finished eating and Sam and Spencer helped me do the dishes.
Afterwards I told Sam to put the kids to bed. She happily agreed, knowing
Spencer and I wanted to be alone.
We sat on the couch together and watch some late night TV. There wasn’t
anything on except the Letterman show, so we watched that. It was nearly 10:30,
and Jeremy and Erica had fallen asleep in Matthew’s room.
“I should probably get going soon.” he said.
“You can stay until this is over, if you want.” I immediately regretted saying
that.
“Oh, sure, okay.” he said, nervously. I scooted closer to him and took his
hand. Through the flashes of the TV screen and the darkness of the livingroom, I
could see his face go red. When the show ended, I was almost asleep next to him.
“I better go.” he said. He stood up and woke up Erica and Jeremy. They
woke up reluctantly, but put on their jackets.
“I’ll walk you home. My mom just got home. The kids will be fine.” I
said, yawning. I got up and stretched and put my hood and coat on.
“It sure is cold.” Spencer said, once we got onto my porch.
“Yeah.” I said. This time he reached for my hand. I was surprised that he
had made the first move. We walked to his house, hand in hand. He let the kids
inside and stayed out a second longer with me.
“I love you, Spencer. You know that, right?” I said, in a half smile. He
smiled back at me.
“I do now.” he said. Then he kissed me. It was the most perfect thing I
had experienced. He looked me in the eye and smiled again.
“See you tomorrow.” he said, and went inside. I walked the whole way
home with a smile on my face.