Una might have been nervous about coming home after her fight with her mother, about what she would say to her mother and what her mother would say to her once they saw each other in person, about whether she would be able to pursue her dreams again or if things would just go right back to how they were before. But it was just so hard to worry about anything when Everett was there beside her. He was so steady and reassuring, and there was just so much to talk about with him around. They talked more about movies and about all sorts of other things, too. (It turned out they liked almost the same flavours of ice cream, but that their tastes in pizza toppings wildly differed.) And at one point, she mentioned to Everett that she was a little nervous about talking to her mother, and he said, "No, she wants to listen to you. I could tell. You both want each other to be happy; I know you'll work something out. And if you want me to, I'll help you."
Una had to glance down at her lap because her cheeks heated up so much she was sure Everett would notice. Why did everything feel so much... easier when he was around??
It was just starting to get dark when Everett's car pulled into Una's driveway. Before Una could even get out of the car, she saw the curtains twitch and her mother's face peering through the window, then a few seconds later the door flew open. At the same time Everett got out of his side of the car and went around to open Una's door, which she had seen done in old movies and always half-hoped someone might do for her one day. Next thing she knew her mother had thrown her arms around her.
"Una! You're safe! Thank you," she added to Everett over Una's shoulder.
Una's cheeks heated for a rather different reason. "Mother, I'm fine...."
"It was my pleasure, ma'am," said Everett smoothly.
Una's mother finally let go of her. "Come in, both of you. Let me make you some tea, Everett. I must thank you for helping my daughter - and me," she added softly.
Everett smiled. "That would be lovely, Mrs. Stratton."
They all went inside and Una's mother went to the kitchen to put the kettle on, leaving Everett and Una alone. Una sat down on their couch, and Everett took the seat next to her, with a questioning, hopeful sort of smile. Una grinned and shifted so that she was closer to him. She could swear his smile widened.
"I hope you don't mind my mother," Una said. "She's just a bit...."
"She's happy to have you back," Everett finished for her. "And I don't blame her. And yes, I do like her."
Una flushed happily, but she refused to look away this time. Everett was directly beside her, so much so that she could have reached out and taken his hand if she'd wanted to. Her mother was moving around the kitchen, and she could hear the kettle whistling, and knew that soon her mother would come out and it would be time to discuss Una and what she was going to do with her life now that she wasn't trying to run away anymore. And somehow, she knew that with Everett helping her, it really would all be okay.