Soul Mates by Thomas Melo

her and her husband to get to know his son’s girlfriend a little bit more. Perhaps it would assist in putting aside some qualms she had about the relationship. “She” because Ray was proud of his son for having such an attractive girlfriend, and he didn’t exactly disguise it either, by God. 
    Second, is a classic and frankly at this point in history, clichéd misstep by parents of children who are dating someone that the parents don’t particularly care for. That is unintentionally driving their child deeper into the clutches of their significant other with their blatant disdain for the companion. Cindy had seen enough Lifetime movies and sitcoms growing up to know the score. She knew the score very well. 
    “I’ll run it by your father when he gets home, but I don’t see why not; I don’t mind. Like I said though, wait until I ask dad before you invite her,” Cindy said. 
    “Ok,” Tyler agreed and began walking towards the stairs to go to his room.
    “And make sure her mother is alright with it too!” she called after him.
    To the latter, he didn’t answer. Tyler had never had a conversation with Lilith’s mom after all of these years, and yes, he  did  find that somewhat strange. He had seen her and met her, sure, but the words spoken between them could fit on a postcard and you’d still have room for the stamp. There were a few times over the years when his mom would drop him off at her house, before he was old enough to take his bike, and eventually his car, when Tyler and his mom would see a pale, dark haired woman standing at the front door waving to them with a wan smile before they exited the car, and then turn and walk back into the house. Tyler and his mom took this as a sign that it would be alright for him to walk up to the house, and by the time he got up to the front door, it would swing open, and Lilith would peek her head outside after Tyler walked in, give a little wave, and then promptly close the door behind her guest. 
    Tyler didn’t know if it was just that they were wrapped up in playing together (when they were younger… and  when they were older) or a classic case of out-of-sight-out-of-mind, but he tended not to dwell upon the fact that he didn’t recall seeing the mother for the rest of his visit…ever. Perhaps the reason he and Lilith’s mother barely spoke was that when he  did  end up running into her, Lilith was always off in another room or busy doing something somewhere else. As polite as Tyler was, he just didn’t feel very comfortable shooting the breeze with Lilith’s mom. He would be happy to answer anything she asked him, but  start  the conversation? No, not Tyler.
    Lilith told him that her father had left the family before she was even born. So, he didn’t expect to cross paths with him at Lilith’s house. Ty had felt a bit guilty about the feeling of relief that that information had provided. Knowing that he would never have that awkward meeting-the-father-for-the-first-time encounter that all young growing boys loathed was soothing. There were only a few times when Lilith’s home was the location of their play dates, and she never wanted to go to Tyler’s unless they had the place to themselves. Tyler didn’t think she seemed like the type that would be uncomfortable talking to parents, but he thought that looks could be deceiving…could they ever .  Most of the time they stayed outdoors, which was a lost art of leisure in the age of iPhones, Xboxes, iPads, and Playstations. That suited them and the adults in charge just fine. 
    When Ray Swanson arrived home from work in a great mood, not only did he not balk at having his son’s girlfriend for dinner, but he suggested he take them all out to an Italian restaurant that they liked going to, Buon Mangia. Everyone thought it was a fine idea. Cindy and Ray took their car, and Tyler picked up Lilith in his car. Cindy thought it was silly to take two cars, and that they would be happy to pick