"Don't be nervous, they are like this usually." Jackson said in a natural tone.
Elena looked at Jackson's expression, which seemed to have no feeling of concealment or comfort, and nodded. Although she was curious, she did not continue to ask because she didn't know how to ask.
'Do your parents hate each other? 'Ask that? hehe.
Jackson gave Elena free space to make the call without listening. Not long after, the girl put down the phone, returned to Jackson with a sigh of relief, and headed back to the restaurant.
The atmosphere at the table became more harmonious without one person, and Mrs. Bishop very considerately postponed the dinner process until the two of them came back before it officially started.
Mrs. Bishop smiled and asked, "Did you have fun this afternoon?" She actually started the topic, as if she wanted to chat at dinner.
Jackson couldn't tell if this was unusual because it was his first time inviting someone to his home. Jackson has no precedent to compare with, so no matter how his mother, who usually always has a poker face, behaves, he will not make any judgments.
Maybe 'hospitality' was one of his mother's undiscovered qualities? Who knows.
"Thank you, madam." Elena glanced at Jackson, who looked normal, and accepted the other person's kindness with peace of mind, "I am very happy."
Mrs. Bishop chuckled softly, "Little girl, you are so easily satisfied."
Jackson was stunned. He had never heard this kind of laughter, this kind of tone, this kind of description from his mother's mouth, 'little girl'
Elena didn't feel anything was wrong and glanced at Jackson suspiciously, "What's wrong? Madam?"
Mrs. Bishop actually raised her fork on the dining table. In her own words, it was disrespectful! But she smiled. "It's nothing, it just reminds me of myself." She waved the fork with a shimmering light in her hand casually, "The caring young man, the big family, unlimited snacks, the servants who answer all requests..."
Mrs. Bishop raised her eyebrows, curled up the corners of her mouth, and a trace of sadness flashed across her eyes for a moment, "These things. Let the little girl... fall."
Elena became nervous, she didn't quite understand Mrs. Bishop's words. In fact, we don't understand it yet.
Mrs. Bishop seemed to realize that she had said something strange. She smiled and waved her hand, raising her eyebrows at Elena, "I mean, don't let these things buy you off." Mrs. Bishop glanced at Jackson, He actually blinked, but the meaning was unclear.
Jackson frowned, he had no idea what his mother was thinking. In fact. The atmosphere at home has been wrong lately.
While Hailey was still around, there was at least a semblance of peace, but after Hailey disappeared, that peace seemed to be shattered. The dinner table, the only time the family can gather together, is usually spent arguing over trivial matters.
Then, after the arrival of the Grande brothers, the atmosphere became even more sour and the quarrels disappeared. But what ushered in was even worse cold violence.
As Jackson, who has lived in this family since birth, he has seen enough things. He could guess the reasons behind these changes. but now. There was something going on at the table where there was an extra guest that Jackson couldn't understand at all.
"Then." Mrs. Bishop smiled without any need to explain, "You two little guys, do you have any plans for the summer vacation?"
Is this official permission to continue the relationship? Elena's face began to turn red and she lowered her head slightly. Shake.
Jackson looked at his mother with some confusion as she focused her eyes on his face. Mrs. Bishop used a urging tone, "Jackson?"
Jackson pursed his lips, "No plans yet, mother."
Mrs. Bishop smiled. He seemed to smile a little self-deprecatingly, "It seems that my son is not very considerate."
Jackson wanted to retort, but he had no reason and pursed his lips helplessly. He literally couldn't even think of a place for the second date. Even though he told Blake that he would take the initiative like a man, so far, he has not taken the initiative in anything!
Mrs. Bishop seemed to understand her son's thoughts very well, and thought for a moment, "There is the Graduation Prom of Repert High School tomorrow night." She smiled, "Why don't you two little guys go and experience high school life in advance? "
"Prom?" This was the first thing Elena noticed.
Jackson's eyebrows raised unconsciously and he looked at his mother. This is such a good idea! At the same time, he was also a little annoyed, why didn't he think of it!
"Yes." Mrs. Bishop looked at Elena and asked with a smile, "By the way Elena, will you go to Reiput in high school? It might be a good opportunity to go and see it. Jackson has a friend who can take you. Walk around.”
Mrs. Bishop was very considerate and had already begun to extend the itinerary for the two of them.
"Oh." Elena shook her head a little disappointed, "I think my parents would prefer that I stay in the South District and go to high school."
"Really? It's a good hope to be closer to home this way." Mrs. Bishop's words were unclear, but she obviously would not continue this topic that revealed the class gap.
Mrs. Bishop thought for a moment and looked at Jackson, "If you go to the North District to play, remember to ask Laura and Kepler to accompany you." She smiled and turned her eyes away, "Blake is also in the North District. , there shouldn’t be any accidents, I can rest assured.”
How could Jackson not accept such an obvious reminder? He nodded, "I will, mother."
Remember what was Jackson's biggest obstacle to dating? It's a follower!
Mrs. Bishop smiled and nodded, stopped talking, and concentrated on enjoying the dinner.
However, this enjoyment did not last long, Bishop's owner actually came back!
Bishop sat back in the main seat without saying a word, his face tense with some suppressed emotion. He completely ignored his abrupt exit just now, glanced at the dining table where the atmosphere was depressed due to his return like a master, his eyes fell on Elena, and he said in as calm a tone as possible, "Jackson, are you still here?" I haven’t introduced your friend yet.”
"Elena, father." Jackson said calmly without looking at the person sitting on the seat, "I already introduced him when I came in the afternoon, have you forgotten?"
The slight banging of the tableware was obviously the result of Bishop suppressing his anger. However, he did not explode again. After being silent for a long time, he actually suppressed a string of laughter, "Hahaha..." A very unnatural laughter. , "I forgot!"
Jackson put his hand down on the table and patted Elena, who was getting nervous, as a comfort.
Silence returned to the restaurant, and the four people were handling their own food. Then, the silence was broken again, and it started with unnatural laughter, "Haha. Jackson, do you two little guys have any plans for the summer vacation?"
It's like time went back. The same question was asked at this table.
Jackson pursed his lips and searched in his memory for the last time his parents agreed on the same thing. He couldn't find it in his memory, for the first time.
Jackson frowned and glanced at his parents with different expressions. He doesn't think this is a good thing, because this is not a situation without precedent, but the precedent is completely opposite to the current situation. This is an anomaly!
During the dinner at this family, the atmosphere changed again and became even weirder. However, Jackson began to realize the reason behind this change.
"There are some, father." Jackson looked at his dinner plate, "We want to visit the North District and attend Reiput's dance. I will let Laura and Blake accompany them..."
Jackson said, but he did not mention at all that these were brought up by his mother. Do you know why? Because Jackson realized from his own experience of living in this family since he was a child that he was caught in the middle. (..)