Stay the Night

I standing on the steps of the building, waiting for Jon to arrive with his new car. It was hard to breathe with the cold wind hitting my face. I had called my mom earlier letting her know I was going to be bringing a guest. She seemed so excited that I began to worry. My mother sometimes was more like my best friend rather then mother. I could see her now at dinner, grilling Jon about everything under the sun. She would eventually get Bill, her boyfriend, to play along. My stomach was starting grumble when a black Mercedes sped down the street, just stoping short of our building. Ass, I thought. The driver’s side window rolled down to reveal Jon was that ass. His face was covered in a big, crooked smile.
“Do you like it?” He yelled up to me.
“It’s amazing,” I let out a chuckle, “when do I get to drive it?”
He shook his head, “Nope.”
I ran down the steps and around the car to the door. Inside was warm and comfortable. He was prepared, and had the seat warmer already on for me. I took in a deep breath in of the new car smell. Jon put the car into motion towards to restaurant. He looked totally in control of the car, leaned back in his seat with one hand on the wheel. It was a total turn on. Music was blasting threw the speakers, making it okay to talk. It was nice not to feel like I had to fill every moment talking. About a few blocks in I felt Jon’s hand lightly place itself on my knee. For a second it felt awkward, but, then the comfort set in. This man had seen me naked, a hand on my knee shouldn’t be that strange. It was a comforting gesture that I usually didn’t let guys do. In the past I felt it was too controlling, this just felt supportive.
“So,” Jon broke the silence, “should I be nervous?”
I bit my lip, “Well, we’ve only been on two dates and you’re meeting my mother. I would say I’d be nervous if I was in your situation.”
Jon’s looked terrified, looking from me and to the road. I couldn’t help but laugh at him, “Don’t be nervous, my mom isn’t that bad, just don’t get on her bad side. Her boyfriend will try to play tough guy cause he thinks that whats expected out of him, but honestly he’s too much a lover then a fighter.”
“What’s your mom’s bad side?”
“Whatever makes me mad,” I squeezed his hand. “Honestly, they are both so laid back there is nothing to worry about.”
“Okay,” Jon muttered, and kept his attention on the road.
When we finally pulled up in front of the restaurant my mother was standing outside wait for us. I guessed that Bill had gone to park the car, too cheap to pay for valet. Jon, on the other hand, was not too cheap. As I emerged from the door, I could see a huge smile on my mother’s face, especially when she noticed who I was with. I walked straight over to her for a big hug.
“Hey, Cailynn,” she spoke into my hair.
“Hey, mom,” I pulled back to see Jon, “this is Jon. Jon this is my mother, Patty.”
He put out his hand, “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too,” she took his hand and then turned to me, “he’s hotter then how he looks on TV.”
Jon let out a nervous chuckle as I lightly hit my mom’s shoulder. They get batty when they get old, I wanted to say. “Mom, where’s Bill?”
“You know how cheap his is,” she sighed, “probably trying to find the cheapest parking. How about we just meet him inside, it’s so fucking cold.”
Jon stepped over to open the door, “Ladies.”
We stepped inside the glorified sports bar Bill had chosen. My mother had made reservations was we walked to the back of the restaurant to our booth. I looked back to see Jon keeping his head down pulling his hat down more, I’m guessing not to be noticed. I had forgotten, for a moment, how famous he was in Chicago. In that moment I was thankful how dimly lit the place was. I scooted into the booth, and Jon sat down next to me. My mother, who was directly across from me, still had her stupid grin plaster across her face.
“Can I get you guys anything?” our waitress asked.
“Pitcher of Blue Moon all right with everyone?” my mother said, pointing at Jon. He nodded yes and she made the order. “So, how did you two meet?”
“Her dog attacked me,” Jon nudge me side jokingly.
“Elwood got away,” I corrected, “and I was lucky that two lovely guys caught him for me.”
My mother clapped her hands together, “Sounds like out of a movie.”
“It was pretty lucky,” I muttered, not used to the gushing mother.
“Well, Jon, this would normally be when I asked what you did for a living,” she paused, “but, I already know.”
Just as she was about to pose more questions her phone began to ring with “Here Comes the Hawks.” I felt my face go flushed. I’m sure Jon was used to diehard fans, I just hoped it wasn’t a deal breaker when it came to the girls he dated. There was no way I could lie about how much I love the Blackhawks, and I wasn’t going to. I did my best not to make face, and just stare at the game playing on the large screens of the bar.
“Bill, we are inside. I understand, but it was cold and you took too long. Okay I’ll see you in a little bit,” my mother hung up the phone. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s fine, hows the restaurant doing?” I switched the questions on her.
She rolled her eyes, “Don’t get me started, I’m going to kill Bill’s brother.”
“Why now?” I groaned. The restaurant Bill owned was doing well, but, every time I talked to my mother it was another thing wrong. I understood, I had worked there for most of high school and Bill was known for hiring his friends. As a former Fire Man, he felt it was his job to still help his community. I was surprised it didn’t affect my mother’s relationship more since she did all the books.
“His brother started helping with the books, and now he’s just being a pain in my ass.”
“What kind of restaurant is it?”
“It’s a public house,” I answered, “they are known for their different sandwiches and all the beers they have on tap.”
“Oh cool,” he seemed genuinely interested.
“It’s one of the best pubs I have ever been in. If I do say so myself,” my mom added.
“I’d love to see it, one day.” Jon looked over to me.
“Yes,” my mother cheered, “you both should come out one day to watch the Bear’s game. Oh, Bill would love that...”
“We can do that next time you’re free on a weekend,” I said, interrupting her.
It was then Bill joined us, looking kind of out of breath. Jon slipped out so I could give him a hug and introduce them. Bill was shocked when he met Jon, and he did not play it cool. Thankfully it was so loud in the place no one noticed. Jon was gracious and kind, I knew he was kind of used to this kind of attention.
“Kid,” Bill finally sat down, “I approve.”
“You don’t even know him,” my mother scoffed.
He shook his head, “I know him, everyone knows him.”
Jon crooked smile got a little bit bigger. I grabbed his hand under the table and gave it a squeeze. Thankfully our pitcher came and I was quick to pour myself a drink. Bill told us all about his adventure in parking, at one point my mothers eyes were closed to rolling back into her head. They were so cute together, they had been friends all their lives. It wasn’t until I was in high school that they official started dating. I couldn’t have picked a better man for my mother, and I honestly considered Bill the closest thing to a father figure in my life. After a while I began to stop listening to Bill’s story and watch the game instead. I was totally clueless until I heard, “So, you guys being safe?”
“Jesus,” I screamed, while Jon almost choked on his beer.
“I lived through free love, I know what its like to be young,” Bill continued.
“We’re being fucking safe,” I groaned.
“Good,” Bill took a swig of his beer, “then we don’t have to worry about things going all after school special on us.”
“Okay, anyway,” my mother rolled her eyes. “What do you two have planned for tonight?”
I shrugged my shoulders as Jon answered, “Actually this was going to be a surprise, but, I got us tickets to the game also.”
I turned to look at him, “You did? You aren’t too tired?”
“No,” he shook his head, “this should be fun. I don’t get to go to many games cause of how our seasons are.”
“Okay, awesome,” I couldn’t help but smile.
“Where are you guys sitting?” Bill seemed very interested when my mom asked.
Jon’s jaw tightened, “Court side.”
Bill almost spit out his beer, “You hear that honey?”
“Good thing you put some effort in your outfit tonight,” my mom smiled at me.
“Thanks mom,” I said sarcastically. Though, she was right. I was so thankful I put the time in to bring my A-game. I’m sure sitting court side with Jon would get us noticed.
His hand squeeze mine, causing my heart to skip. All the dreadfully feelings I had been feeling earlier started to slip away. I didn’t need my mother, I needed Jon. That scared me. That I could need someone and not even know them that well. We ordered dinner and had a pleasant conversation. By that I mean, my mother and Bill didn’t embarrass me too much. Bill only asked once for tickets, and my mother’s swearing was curbed compared to how she usually was. In my mother’s language, if she called you bitch she was very fond of you. When we were all done eating and Bill deemed it was time to head to the game. We said our goodbyes, making plans to meet at one of the bars during the half, and Jon and I headed to the valet.
“So, tell me,” I turned to Jon as we drove to the United Center. “What did you think?”
He laughed, “I almost died when Bill asked about sex.”
I flushed red thinking about it, “Yeah, I’m sorry. He thinks he has to be protective, but, he isn’t sure how to go about it.”
“It’s fine,” his crooked smile appeared, “your parents are very mellow. They don’t even seem like parents.”
“Yeah, some times growing up I felt more like the parent,” I sat back into my seat.
“They are fun,” he added.
“What are you’re parents like?” I felt maybe I had crossed a line asking. Too late.
“They are pretty typical parents,” he glanced over to me, “they are super supportive, and try to visit whenever they can.”
“That must be nice, since you are so far away from home.”
“It is, even though I consider Chicago home. I still get homesick for Canada,” his seem to go distant.
Jon pulled into the United Center Employee parking lot, making sure he got a good spot to protect his new car. He grabbed my hand as we walk into the building and all the way through. We took an elevator up to the Lexus Club. The arena was packed, full of fans ready for the game. I felt so bad that I wasn’t wearing any Bulls gears. My mother at dinner assured me that most the people on court side didn’t wear any. I was lucky that I had chosen my red long sleeve, peplum top that allowed me to blend better into the crowd. Jon escorted me to one of the bars and bought us both a Stella. His hate was low of his eyes, allowing him to almost go unnoticed. As we stood by the bar I over heard two men talking.
“Is that Toews?” The older one asked.
“No, they just got back from their game. He wouldn’t be at a game,” the other reasoned.
I couldn’t help be giggle at them. Jon gave me a strange look, obviously he hadn’t heard them. “Those guys were trying to figure out if it was you.”
“I’m guessing they didn’t?” He chuckled, “Wanna go sit down?
I nodded my head, and we made our way down to the court. Security came, just to make sure no fans would harass Jon. As we walked by people tried to recognize us. I felt insecure for a moment, I wasn’t used to these many eyes locked on me. We sat opposite of the benches, almost right in the middle of the court. I was glade, this way I wouldn’t be on TV that often.
I had never been that low in the UC. The amount of people in the stands was kind of daunting. I looked over to Jon who was talking to the people around us. I didn’t recognize, I assumed they were some rich business men. A few children came up and asked for a picture, Jon was so kind and agreed. This small girl even wanted me in the picture. After she looked over to me, “You are beautiful.”
I thanked her and asked for a hug. It always feel good when people find you beautiful. I looked over to Jon, who looked satisfied. I furrowed my eye brows at him.
He leant over to my ear, “You are beautiful.”
I could feel my cheeks begin to redden. His hand clasped mine, as he stared at the players who were warming up on the court. This was really starting to feel real, and I had no problem with it. I felt my phone vibrate in my lap, it was a message from my mother.
>>I see you!
I couldn’t help but giggle, and look down to the floor. Jon noticed my reaction and nudge me, “What’s up?”
“My mom just texting saying she can see us,” I looked into his deep brown eyes.
“Should I stop holding your hand?” He questioned.
“No, no,” sounding a little to eager.
The game began, I found myself getting a little too into it. I wasn’t a basketball fan, but, its hard not to get rapped up in the excitement when you are less then a foot away from the ball. It was half time, and Jon and I were expected to go meet up with my parents at one of the bars. I excused myself to the bathroom before getting to the bar. I lucked out, there was no line. Before stepping out I checked myself out in the mirror. I stood and fluffed my hair as two girls walked in talking extra loud.
“Yeah I saw him,” her squeaky voice irritated me, “did you see he was with some girl?”
“Oh my God, yeah! Super surprised that he was dating someone,” the other one squealed.
“I’d totally hook up with Toews,” she giggled.
I just shook my head, and went to find Jon. He was standing by the door, taking pictures with a few fans. When he caught my eye he mouthed sorry. I quickly texted my mother we were on our way, and just waited for Jon to be done. I thought about what the girls were talking about in the bathroom. I wasn’t used to outside parties judging me while I was on a date. Even that, I wasn’t used to people want to take pictures with my date. Jon said goodbye to the fans, grabbed my hand and lead me to the bar. Fame wasn’t his favorite thing about playing hockey, but, he dealt with it very well.
My parents were waiting for us at a table, with a beer for each of us. When we walked up Bill was whispering something into my mother’s ear to make her laugh. When she caught site of us she stopped.
“Are you guys enjoying the game?” Bill patted Jon on the back.
“Yeah, it’s been a lot of fun,” Jon sipped his beer.
“We could tell,” my mom laughed, “even Cailynn is getting into the game.”
“What do you mean?” Jon was confused.
Bill slapped the table, “Cailynn doesn’t like basketball.”
“Untrue,” I slapped Bill’s shoulder, “I hated playing basketball. I was too short and uncoordinated.”
“What every you say, kid.” Bill tapped his glass against mine.
“Cailynn has always loved sports,” my mother looked at Jon, “but, the poor girl was awful at most of them.”
“Thanks mom,” I muttered.
“Did she tell you she was on the dance team?”
Jon looked shocked, “No, that hasn’t come up yet.”
“Yes,” I was starting to think my mom was tipsy. “She was did competitive dance. You wouldn’t think it, cause of how much of a tomboy she is. She was my little tiny dancer.”
“And this why you don’t go on a second date with your parents,” I said before downing the rest of my beer.
Bill bought us one more beer before Jon and I headed back to our seats. I was itching to get away from my parents, who were having too much fun embarrassing me. Jon was telling me the whole process changing the basketball court to a hockey rink, while we waited for the second half to start. I heard of other the loud speaker, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we would like to welcome one of Chicago’s finest athletes here tonight. Captain of you Stanley Cup winning Blackhawks, Jonathan Toews.”
I looked to the court to see a man squatting in front of us with a camera. I assumed then we were on the jumbo tron above. I looked over to Jon who was smiling at me. I watched as he waved to the camera, thanking everyone around who was clapping for him. It was so loud as people screamed his name, and cheered him on. I couldn’t help but smile and just stare at him. It was better then looking at the man with the camera. Eventually he left as the players began to take the court.