Mad About You

spinning. "So, where does that put us now?" he managed to ask.
    "Let's just play it by ear, okay?" she asked. "And move slowly."
    "Sure," he said, still searching for firm ground.
    "So why did you call?"
    He cleared his voice. "I wanted to check in to see how things are going today, you know, with Chad."
    "Not great." She sounded tired. "He hasn't really talked much, and I know he's still upset with me, but I got him to agree we'd go somewhere this afternoon to look for a new game console."
    "That's a start."
    "I suppose."
    "What time are Edward and Peg picking him up?"
    "Around six, I think. They're going to take him to eat before the laser show starts."
    "When will they bring him home?"
    "Around eleven."
    "Great, that gives you plenty of time."
    "To do what?" Her voice was cautious.
    "To go to dinner with me."
    She was silent.
    "A real date, Ginny. Put on something nice and let me buy you dinner for me being such a pain lately."
    She laughed. "Lately?"
    "Okay, for being such a pain always."
    "I don't think Columbus has a restaurant that nice."
    "That's why I'm throwing in flowers and candy."
    "It sounds like you're sucking up," she said carefully.
    "Guilty," he admitted. "So, what do you say?"
    She laughed again. "You certainly are persistent."
    "What time can I pick you up?"
    "Six-thirty?"
    He blinked in surprise. "I'll be there."
    "I expect you to be on your best behavior, Bailey Kallihan. No funny stuff."
    His heart sang. "No funny stuff," he agreed.

    * * *

    Virginia slowly hung up the phone. A date with Bailey. She felt schoolgirl foolish with anticipation, but reasoned that a nice dinner in public would be both relaxing and safe. After their emotional exchange that morning, she looked forward to them being on friendly terms again.
    She noticed a spring in her step as she moved through the rest of the day. Chad had adopted his sullen act again, dodging her hugs, refusing to look at her or utter anything but grunts. They drove to an electronics superstore after lunch. Remembering the incident of their last shopping trip all too well, Virginia nervously kept an eye on her son's hands. The salesclerk announced the game console model they were looking for as already being outdated, which put a defensive frown on Chad’s face. They were presented with the latest model, and Ginny glanced at Chad.
    "What do you think?"
    "I want the same one," he insisted. "It’s the one I like."
    "Maybe we can find one somewhere else," she suggested, but the salesclerk shook his head no.
    Chad’s mouth and shoulders drooped. "I guess it'll do, even if it’s not as good."
    The salesclerk opened his mouth to argue, but she silenced him with a look. "We’ll take it."
    But Chad was morose while their purchase was being rung up. And when they returned to the car, he slammed the door and maintained his silence for the drive home. The bag with the new Nintendo remained untouched.
    He retreated to his room when they arrived home with another door slam. Ginny cleaned the house, burning pent-up frustration over dealing with her son and nervous energy over her impending date with Bailey.
    Fifteen minutes before her parents arrived, Chad descended, looking clean-cut and all-American in his jean shorts and red and white striped T-shirt. He wore a pleasant expression, and even whistled under his breath as he kept watch out the window.
    "It makes me happy that you want to do things with my parents," she ventured.
    He shrugged. "They're cool. Besides, I've never had grandparents before."
    His words hit her like an open-handed slap. He'd never had a father before, and he adored Bailey. He'd never had an aunt, uncle, or cousin before, so he liked Rita and her family. He'd never had grandparents before, so he looked forward to spending time with her folks.
    But he'd had a mother before, and he wasn't about to let Virginia take Lois's place.
    "They're here!" he yelled, throwing open the door.
    Virginia hugged her parents and chatted for a few minutes before seeing them off with a wave.
    She tried to put aside her earlier revelation about Chad's attitude toward her as she readied herself for Bailey's arrival.
    After a leisurely shower, she opened her closet door and frowned. At last she decided on a white knit miniskirt topped with a V-necked yellow summer cardigan. The thin fabric had a sexy sheen and draped nicely around her shoulders and waist. She stepped into a pair of white leather sandals, then dried her hair. For once, she left it loose and