Sweet on Wilde

by Fabiola Francisco

  There are a few picture frames on a desk. Some photos with friends when Parker was in high school. One of him pitching, dressed in his Minors uniform. A few random ones from when he was younger. God, he was a cute kid even back then. “I feel like the lucky teen who was just asked to sneak up to the jock’s room so we could make out all night long.”

  Parker’s raised eyebrow meets me, and he pats the bed next to where he’s sitting. “Wanna make out all night long?”

  “Hmmm...I’ll think about it,” I tease, twirling my hair around my finger. “But you can’t go to practice tomorrow and tell all the boys you made it to home plate. We’re only going to tamper in first base.” I sit next to him on the plaid comforter.

  “Get over here,” he pulls me onto his lap and kisses me with passionate longing. I giggle against his lips and look at him.

  “You know, making out all night long has its perks. It’s like the perfect foreplay and the anticipation will make it so much better.”

  “We can make out, but I want my tongue on other parts of your body as well.” I groan at Parker’s words and tease his lower lip with my tongue. Staying on first base for a little while can be fun.

  After resting for a bit and taking a shower, Parker and I head down to the kitchen. Nancy is cooking something that smells delicious and the rest of the family is sitting at the counter chatting.

  “You look more refreshed,” Nancy says as we enter the kitchen and sit at the counter with the rest of his family.

  “We are,” Parker answers, and smiles at his mom. She winks at him and continues to prepare dinner.

  “So what are your plans for the weekend?” Will asks us.

  “I want to take Savannah out to Lawrenceville to check out the stadium and show her around Athens. Do a little sightseeing and take her to a few of my favorite places. We’re spending Saturday in Atlanta before we head back to visit Savannah’s best friend.”

  “That sounds like fun. Have you ever been to Atlanta?” Britney asks.

  “No, I haven’t. I feel terrible. She’s been living there for a year, and I haven’t made the trip.”

  “Well, now you can visit her. I’m sure that will make her happy,” Britney says.

  “It will.”

  “Do you want something to drink? We have beer, wine, whiskey, whatever you want,” Andrew stands.

  “A beer is perfect for me,” Parker responds.

  “Sounds great for me, too,” I say and thank him.

  With drinks in our hands, we sit back in our seats and relax. Nancy is making meatloaf and roasted potatoes for dinner.

  “Mom, Savannah agreed to cook something for dinner tomorrow.”

  “Britney! She’s our guest. You don’t have to cook, sweetie. She’s just envious because she’s a terrible cook.”

  “Hey! Okay, maybe a little,” Britney smiles.

  “I would love to. I honestly love it, and it’s relaxing for me to be in the kitchen. I can make a dessert.”

  “You can’t deny a pregnant woman anything, mom. I do love pumpkin pie. Oh, that would be delicious.” I laugh at Britney’s outward honesty.

  “Oh boy, this is going to be a long pregnancy if she’s already using that excuse,” Will jokes.

  “Pumpkin pie it is. Just let me know when the kitchen will be free. Parker, we can go buy the ingredients I need in the morning.”

  “Sounds good,” Parker agrees.

  “You agreed quickly to that,” Chris laughs. “Whipped?”

  “No, asshole. She makes damn good pumpkin pie. Once you try it, you’ll understand.”

  The rest of the evening passes by in the same manner. We talk and joke during dinner. Someone is always teasing someone else, the same way they take honest interest in news a person is sharing. Their family is harmonious and I could not be happier and more grateful to be sitting amongst them.

  Once the table is cleared, Britney and Will excuse themselves to go to bed. Chris leaves to meet up with some friends at a bar. He asks if we want to join, but both being tired from the trip and nerves, we decline and head to the room as well.

  “Thank you for inviting me to come with you,” I tell Parker once we’re in the privacy of the room.

  “I’m so happy you’re here.” He kisses me softly and smiles. I walk into the bathroom attached to his room and get ready for bed. I’m suddenly very tired and aware that tomorrow is going to be a hectic day.

  I lie in bed and cuddle into Parker’s side. I sniff his scent and find comfort in it. I close my eyes and his warmth pulls me into a peaceful sleep.

  “Goodnight, baby,” Parker whispers in my ear and kisses my temple.

  “Goodnight,” I whisper back, somewhere between reality and dream, but very aware of the man holding me next to him and the feelings I have for him deepening in my heart.

  I stir in bed at the feel of Parker’s hands tracing my skin softly, caressing every inch of my arm up to my cheek. His fingers run along my cheek, tracing my lips, sending goose bumps throughout my body. The moment is so intimate, as I know he thinks I’m asleep. I turn in his arms to look at him and his smile melts my heart. “Hi,” I whisper, inches from his lips.

  “There’s no where I’d rather be than right here with you in my arms.”

  My heart continues to melt, liquefying into a puddle of emotions. I hold the sides of his face and give him a chaste kiss, smiling as I say, “Ditto.”

  He laughs lightly and scoots over in the bed, away from me. I frown and he opens his arms. “Come here.” I move towards him, realizing then that I was on the edge of the bed, and cuddle in his arms. Parker kisses my forehead and turns me around. He places us as we were before I turned around, hugging me, his hand caressing my cheek and neck adoringly. I melt into his front, fitting perfectly and tangle my legs with his, my hands over the arm wrapped around me. Bliss.

  Waking up with Parker today was amazing. We’ve woken up next to each other numerous times, but finding him stroking my skin and watching me sleep felt so intimate, and I wonder if he’s done that before.

  After having a small breakfast, Parker and I head out to buy what I need to make the pumpkin pie. His family was still just as welcoming this morning as last night.

  “This is where I went to high school,” Parker points at a brick building to his right and I peek out the window. He has been pointing out places he used to hang out in and stores he would shop in. He also drove around the University of Georgia, home of the Bulldogs, where Chris works. All three siblings are alumnae and proud of it.

  I look out the window, admiring everything we drive by, and taking in every part of Parker that lingers in this city. Athens has the same college town feel as Tuscaloosa, even if it is a holiday when students travel to see their families.

  “That’s where the team would always go after we played our games in high school,” Parker points out a corner restaurant with a red awning and wooden posts on either side of the door. “They have billiards and the best pizza in town.”

  “Sounds like fun,” I smile, keeping my eyes on the buildings passing us by.

  He points to the hang out places for college students and the popular bars. We finally pull into a shopping plaza with a big supermarket. “We better get what you need and head back before my mom starts calling me and questioning where we ran off to.”

  “Sounds good.”

  We walk in and grab the ingredients I need, a few people coming up to Parker and greeting him. Others wave at him from a distance and smile warmly. I bump his shoulder and say, “I guess I’m not the only one popular in my home town. I better watch out,” I tease, “or I’ll be getting booed out of here if I’m not extra nice to you.”

  “I won’t object to you being extra nice,” he winks at me.

  “Come on, Romeo,” I pull him towards the register.

  “I thought I was Prince Charming.”

  “Oh, you’re charming alright.” We pay and go back to the house, ready to dive into Thanksgiving dinner preparations.


  “Pass me the baster,” I hear Nancy call out from the kitchen. “Thank you,” she tells whoever handed it to her. “Okay, turkey is looking good.” Her hands are brushing the loose strands of hair from her face and she smiles up at us. “Did you have a nice drive?”

  “We did. Parker showed me a few places on the way to the grocery store.”

  “That’s nice!”

  Parker kisses his mom on the cheek and I smile at how he treats his mom. Britney is sitting at the dining room table right off the kitchen, rolling the utensils in napkins for tonight’s dinner.

  “Are grandma and grandpa coming to dinner?” Parker asks.

  “Yes.”

  “Is this the grandma that makes the best biscuits and gravy?”

  “Yup,” Parker smiles at me.

  “Cool.”

  “Her biscuits and gravy are the best,” Britney pipes in.

  “So I’ve heard,” I reply.

  “Although yours were pretty darn close, but don’t tell her that or I’ll deny it.” I laugh and seal my lips.

  Nancy and Britney laugh along with me and Parker asks where Chris and Andrew are. “I’ll leave you to what you need to do.” He kisses me on the cheek and walks out of the kitchen. I look at Nancy and Britney and smile.

  “Mind if I begin the pumpkin pie next to you?”

  “Of course I don’t.” Nancy is really the sweetest woman, and I can’t help but wonder if my mom would have gotten along with her if she were alive. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about my parents. I guess having someone important in my life has given me time to reflect on the milestones they’ve missed out on and will miss out on, like my wedding.

  Britney sits on the other side of the breakfast bar and looks at my handiwork. “Okay, so what exactly are you doing?” The curiosity in her voice makes me smile and I begin to explain.

  “I’m rolling out the dough for the crust. I’ll prebake it while I mix the ingredients for the filling. It’s really an easy recipe to follow.”

  “Yeah, for someone who knows the difference between roasting and baking. I’d probably crank up the oven, impatient to have the thing baked and ready to eat again and risk causing another fire.”

  I laugh, remembering the story Parker and Chris shared last night. “Yeah, that might be true.” I poke the crust on the bottom and sides to prevent it from rising and stick it in the oven. The Wilde’s kitchen has two ovens, so I’m in heaven working here. Concentrating on the amounts I need to measure for each ingredient, Nancy and Britney chat next to me but I don’t hear everything they’re saying.

  “Savannah?”

  “Huh? Sorry, I was focused.” I place the pie in the oven, letting it bake completely.

  “I could tell. I was asking about your family. Parker had mentioned he met your grandmother. Are you close to her?”

  “I am,” I smile politely. “She’s wonderful. She raised me the best she could.”

  “Yes. Parker told me about your parents. I’m sorry, dear.”

  “No need to be. It’s part of life. I guess that was the hand dealt to me, but I’m lucky to still have people around me that have become like family.”

  “Well, you’re brave. I’m not sure what would become of me if I had lost my parents,” Britney smiles sadly at me and glances at Nancy. It’s clear they are a tight knit family.

  “I was young, so I don’t remember much about them unfortunately. I do remember how lost I felt after not seeing them for a few days. I was mostly confused. Death wasn’t a concept easily grasped by a five year old.”

  “That’s understandable. How did they pass?” Nancy is careful in asking but kind with her words and expression.

  “They were in an accident. My dad’s guilty pleasure was his motorcycle. My parents had gone out for their weekly ride one Sunday morning. A car took the red light and hit them. My grandparents had told me they died on impact, but I just remember being confused.”

  Nancy squeezes my hand and smiles. “Well, I’m happy Parker brought you. It’s been a true pleasure getting to know you. I was nervous when he told me he was moving to Alabama, but it seems he’s settled well there and found himself a nice girl.”

  “Thank you. He really has incorporated himself well with everyone he’s met and his career. His coworkers respect him and admire him. It was nice to witness that.”

  “I knew coaching would be excellent for him!” Britney says.

  “It has been. You were right,” Nancy agrees.

  The oven beeps, communicating that the pie is ready. I remove it and leave it cooling in a rack and excuse myself to go find Parker. I move inside the house, through a living room with a gorgeous fireplace and out a back door leading to the yard.

  Parker and Chris are playing catch and I hear their voices from the door.

  “You seem happy,” Chris tells his brother as he tosses him the ball.

  Catching the ball in his glove, Parker responds, “I am. Alabama has been a good move and things with Savannah are great.”

  “It’s obvious. She seems cool. Much better than Becky, too.”

  “She is. Much better than anyone I’ve met before. She may be the one,” Parker confides in his brother and I feel like an intruder. The one?

  “She may be or is?” Chris asks.

  “She is for me, but I haven’t told her that yet. Want to take my time.” I smile and walk over to them.

  “Hey, what are you guys up to?”

  “Hey,” Chris smiles widely. “Is the kitchen still a mess?”

  “Kinda,” I respond.

  “Okay, so I’ll stay out here for a little while longer.”

  Laughing, I look at Parker. “You’re playing catch?”

  “Yeah. Did you finish the pie?”

  “I did. Britney wanted to learn how to make it, and then she changed her mind saying she’d start another fire.”

  “Thank god you didn’t try to teach her,” Chris says, walking back with a water bottle and tosses one to Parker. Catching it, he takes off the top and takes a drink. I eye him appreciatively. He raises his eyebrow at my stare and I laugh. Picking up the ball from the floor, I toss it up and catch it.

  “Wanna play?”

  “Are we just playing catch or are we going to run bases, too?”

  “Okay, that’s my cue to leave. Have fun.” Chris tosses me his glove and laughs.

  “Let’s stick to catch for now,” I throw the ball and Parker catches it effortlessly. We spend part of the afternoon playing outside. I tell him that his mom and Britney were amazing while I was in the kitchen with them and I’m excited to meet his grandparents.

  “It isn’t as bad as I thought. I’m sure you’re tired of hearing me say that.” I throw the ball back at him with more force.

  “Are you trying to compete with my pitching arm? And I told you so.” He tosses it back.

  “Yeah, yeah, whatever. You can’t say ‘I told you so’ when it’s your family. Of course you’d think that they would like me, you’re biased.”

  “Can you blame me?” He walks up to me, the ball forgotten, and lets his arms fall lazily around my waist. I peek up at his face, getting a better view of what his cap was covering from afar.

  “Nope,” I reach up and kiss him.

  “Let’s go upstairs and get ready for dinner. My grandparents will be here soon.”

  “So tell me how you two met,” Parker’s grandmother, Ellen, asks while we’re enjoying our Thanksgiving dinner. Parker was right, his family is laid back.

  “At a local bar in Tuscaloosa,” Parker looks at me with a mischievous gleam, and I shoot him a warning glance. Smiling widely, he proceeds. Oh God! “I had seen Savannah there a few times talking to her friend, Jake, who’s also a bartender there, and always coming in to meet different guys.” I’m dying. I cannot believe he’s telling them. His parents look at me with confusion that is totally expected, and I retreat into myself. “No, it’s not what you’re thinking. She wasn’t a hired companion, although I can see how
I worded that awkwardly,” he laughs and I know he’s purposely mocking me. “I had my eyes set on her although she hadn’t noticed me yet. She apparently had made some deal with her friend to try online dating.”

  “Really?” I look at him in disbelief.

  “They asked how we met.” I notice his siblings trying to stifle their laugh.

  “You couldn’t say a bar like normal people? Okay. This is what happened. My best friend, Emily, and I made a deal. If we were both still single come September, we would sign up for online dating. Lucky Emily moved to Atlanta and met a great guy, leaving me to follow through on this deal alone. Trust me, I tried to get out of it, but she’s stubborn and I’m loyal. A deal’s a deal. Terrible experience, I don’t recommend it to anyone. Anyway, one night at Southern, I’m complaining to Jake about the last date I had and this guy,” I tilt my head towards Parker, “makes fun of me. Naturally annoyed, I shot him a brief greeting when Jake introduced us and ignored him.”

  At this point, his family is laughing or smiling widely. I’m embarrassed to the bone, but if Parker isn’t going to tell the story the right way, I will.

  “Annoyed or not, you couldn’t resist me.”

  “Umm…not sure about that,” I tease back and his grandmother laughs at our banter. “It was after the two-step. You should’ve just started with that.”

  “Oh, you used your dancing skills. That always works. I taught him that, you know,” his grandfather, George, says proudly.

  “Well, you’re an excellent teacher,” I compliment him.

  “That’s how he won me over as well,” Ellen smiles and squeezes George’s hand.

  “That’s sweet.”

  “Well, I’m glad he met you. I haven’t seen my boy this happy in a long time. The move’s been good for you,” Ellen says.

  “It has,” Parker agrees and squeezes my knee under the table. I reach for his hand and lace our fingers together. Remembering what he told Chris outside earlier in the day, my heart expands.

  Dinner was amazing and just how a family should spend the holiday. I’m glad I spoke to my grandmother earlier, but I do miss her even surrounded by Parker’s family.