True Love Waits novel Chapter 123

The dinner had a pleasant start, but it wasn't long before Megan began to fawn over Carlos. "Uncle Carlos, this is popcorn chicken. I helped Tabitha cook it. Give it a try, please."

"Mmm," Carlos said, unwilling to say more with a mouthful of food. The look on his face and the sounds of chewing were enough to gauge how he felt.

"Uncle Carlos, taste the soup. I helped Tabitha flavor it. Does it taste good?" Megan put a bowl of soup on the table, setting it down in front of Carlos.

She acted as if she were the hostess, and anyone who didn't know better might believe that Megan was Carlos' wife.

His face deadpan, Carlos answered "Mmm" again. He was a man of few words, yet those few words usually said enough.

Still, Megan continued to pile food onto his plate, and soon his place was inundated with all sorts of tasty dishes.

Debbie, on the other hand, grew angry when she saw this. As any woman would be. Tabitha kept putting food onto Debbie's plate, ignoring the gal's rage. Debbie had to take a deep breath to suppress her anger, so she wouldn't snap at the wrong person.

She lowered her head and ate her food quietly. Suddenly, a piece of fish was put onto her plate and the man finally spoke, his mouth finally forming words that were not just sounds. "I boned the fish."

Debbie paused for a moment. If Tabitha were not here, she would mock him, "So you finally remember your own wife, huh?"

She put on a fake smile and said icily, "Thank you."

Before long, he put a piece of raw lobster onto her plate. "I remember you like seafood. Mom made a couple of dishes just for you. Here..."

Tabitha smiled at Debbie, "This lobster was flown in from Australia earlier today. It was very fresh, so I just sliced it. You'll love it."

"I really appreciate it, Mom!" Debbie gave Tabitha a sweet smile, and ate the lobster. She always loved lobster, ever since she was a little girl. Even when she was too young to properly shell it, her dad had always made sure to give her some. It was a nearly lifelong love affair with the dish. Carlos now paid all his attention to his wife. When Debbie was about to pick up a piece of lobster again, he was one step ahead of her and picked it up himself.

Debbie stared at Carlos in confusion. He dipped the lobster into the sauce before putting it onto Debbie's plate. Then he picked up another piece of lobster with shell and began to shell it.

Debbie's jaw dropped. She approached Carlos and whispered in his ear, "Put it down. Mom and Megan haven't touched the lobster yet."

He answered with a shrug, "They're not fond of lobster."

"Don't worry about us, Debbie. I'm allergic to it, and Megan hates seafood." But that didn't echo her thoughts. What Tabitha was really thinking was, 'My ungrateful son forgot his mother after he got married.

Look, how considerate he is. He boned the fish and shelled the lobster for his wife, but he didn't dish up anything for me." Despite her thoughts Tabitha was glad that Carlos and Debbie loved each other.

"Allergic? Are you okay now? You sliced the lobster." Worry was obvious in Debbie's eyes.

Tabitha shook her head. "Don't worry. As long as I don't eat it, I'm good."

"Er... Mom, have some of this." Debbie placed the almond curd in syrup in front of Tabitha.

"Thank you, Debbie." Tabitha scooped it onto her plate.

"How about you? Are you allergic to seafood? Or just don't like it?" Debbie asked Carlos.

He shook his head.

'Come on! Can't he say something? He's acting like a mime!' Debbie rolled her eyes secretly. 'They say silence is golden, but this is ridiculous!'

Megan was the first one to finish. Then Tabitha, and finally, Carlos. He had eaten slowly on purpose, because he knew Debbie had a good appetite and she would feel embarrassed if she was left eating alone. Besides, he liked to take his time, and not much would make him rush. Even if the house were on fire, he might simply walk out of the door, calmly and elegantly.

Debbie was still eating, while Tabitha and Megan ate some fruit as a dessert and chatted with each other.