Frieda stopped in her tracks when she found Jack outside. She was shocked. In front of her was a blue and silver motorcycle. Her mouth was agape and Jack quietly laughed at her.
"I did not expect this when you said bike," she said shaking her head to bring her back to reality.
"How is it even legal that you drive this?"
"I turn 17 in a few weeks and mom couldn't hold back her excitement," he said shrugging.
"Your mom lets you drive this?" Her voice sounded so high pitched and ridiculous.
"Dad was going to give me my permit on the day of my birthday but mom got too excited. Are you coming," he asked as he held up an extra helmet for her to put on.
Frieda stood there trying to process the information she was given.
"Do you trust me," she heard him ask.
"What did you say?"
"I said, do you trust me?" He offered her a hand. She looked into his eyes and saw trust.
"Yes," she said and smiled sweetly as she took his hand his hers.
Jack fastened her helmet for her.
Before she hopped on the back, Jack said he kept a sweater in the seat compartment in case she wanted to wear it. She kindly declined but she opened the compartment to drop her cell phone in for safe keeping.
"Hold on tight," he yelled as the engine roared to life. Within seconds they were off.
---
They stopped at a café to have a snack since Frieda didn't eat much at lunch.
"It's on me," Jack offered.
As they ate, they got to know to know each other. Jack's favourite colour is ice blue. Frieda lit up when she learned that because all the men in her family, including Charles, like that colour. She learned that he liked all kinds of music and movie genres. He's not a picky eater, in fact his favourite kind of cuisine is Indian. He is really something, she thought.
"So enough about me. Tell me about yourself," he said.
"What do you want to know?"
"Anything," he said.
"Okay. I have a brother about your age and we're really close. I love to read. I'm not picky with food and my favourite colour is rose."
"What's your favourite book?"
"There's too many to name. I love fairy tales and classics like Romeo and Juliette, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre and Les Miserábles."
Jack's face lit up at the mention of Les Mis.
"That's one of my favourites," he said.
"Really?"
"Yeah, don't let my macho exterior fool you." They both shared a laugh and continued to get to know each other more.
This time, they talked about family. She found out that his older sister was actually his step-sister. Hazel was from Ken's previous marriage. Poor thing lost her mother due to illness when she was 17. The whole family is blended. Ken had a hard time dealing with his loss and Jack's mother, Patricia, was dealing with a nasty divorce. It all ended happily every after, after dating for a year and a half, they got married and welcomed twins, Moira and Marilyn. He pulled out his phone to show picture.
"They're so cute," Frieda exclaimed.
"Yes they are," Jack smiled.
They're precious to him, I can tell.
"Want to meet them?"
The question took Frieda by surprise but she gladly accepted, she loves babies.
-----
"Now who is this?" Frieda heard somebody ask as she got off the bike.
"This is Frieda," Jack introduced pointing fingers between the two females. "And Frieda, this is my mom."
"Hi."
"Aren't you a pretty little thing. Such a beautiful name too."
"Thanks." Frieda was used to people admiring her name.
"And those two are Moira and Marilyn," Jack announced walking towards the front lawn where his baby sisters were having tummy time in the sun.
"Hey sissies," he said to the twins as he sat down beside them. He looked up at Frieda and smiled as he continued to introduce her.
"That beautiful lady is Frieda, can you say hi?" Beautiful? He thinks I'm beautiful? She thought but had not shown any emotion to give herself away.
Babbles of conversations erupted from the twins and laughter came from Frieda.
When one of them got fussy, Jack picked her up. Then the other one got fussy. Since Jack had his hands full and his mother not in sight, Frieda sat on the mat beside Jack and picked up the other twin.
"You have Marilyn," he informed her. "My parents named her Marilyn because of the beauty mark on her face is just like Marilyn Monroe."
Yes, there was a beauty mark on Marilyn's face however the placement wasn't the same as the iconic Hollywood actress.
"You are beautiful," she told Marilyn. "What's the story about Ms Moira's name?"
"Moira is the name of my great-grandmother. Nanny Moira helped her daughter raise her since the history of men on her side of the family aren't.." He paused searching for the right word, "designated to their role."
"She turned out really great," said Frieda.
"She sure did and I'm glad she found Ken when she was afraid of love."
Not a lot was said on that topic but Frieda admired the woman.
"Frieda honey, you're welcome to stay for dinner," said Patricia coming down the steps of the porch.
"I'd be honoured to stay. Can I do anything to help?"
"Could you two put the twins down for a nap while I get dinner ready?"
"Sure," said Jack.
"Are you allergic to anything honey?"
"No."
"Good, cause I was thinking of chicken stir fry with peanut sauce."
"That sounds delicious!"
