I wasn’t exactly sure why, but I was nervous. Not because I was scared of meeting Jake’s mom, but more so because I was nervous about making a good impression on her. Silly, considering there was no reason to be worried about that, and yet still, I could feel my hands getting slightly clammy, and my heart started pumping a little faster as we stood outside of her door. She shuffled around on the other side, the sounds of three heavy locks clicking open, followed by the creak of rusty hinges. His mom stood in the doorway with a smile that looked a whole lot like Jake’s.

“Hey, Ma, everything okay?”

Jake’s mom took him into a tight hug, the kind reserved for a mother and son, before letting go, one hand still on Jake’s elbow. “Yes, thank you. I had a moment back in my bedroom. I feel a little better now.”

“You sure?” Jake asked, looking her over.

“Sí, sí.”

“Okay, good.” Her eyes floated to me before Jake realized introductions were needed. “This is my friend Noah. We work together. Noah, this is my mom, Vivianne.”

She held out a hand, soft in mine as we shook, brown eyes bright even under the dim light of the setting sun behind me. “We haven’t met already, have we?”

“No, no, this is our first time.”

“Well, it’s great to meet you, Noah.” She let go of my hand and opened her arms for a hug instead. She gave me one of the warmest embraces I’d ever felt before stepping back, opening her door a little wider. “Did you both eat dinner already? I’ve got some chicken and rice left over?”

“Noah should be getting home,” Jake said, but I shook my head.

“I’ve got nothing on the schedule, and my stomach is kind of grumbly.”

Jake arched a brow, but his smile diffused any other argument he might be spinning up. Vivianne stepped aside as he entered with me right behind him.

Her home was warm, reflecting the same energy she had given me. The walls were painted a soft beige, and there was a lot of older wooden furniture, freshly polished and cleaned. There was a tall display case showing off plates collected from over a dozen different countries, with other trinkets sprinkled throughout them. She had a couple of plants but nothing like her green-thumbed son. A large blue-and-white rug brought a pop of color, matching the bright blue pillows on the wraparound couch that faced a large television, currently paused on what appeared to be Big Brother.

“Who are you rooting for to win?” I asked, pointing at the TV.

Vivianne chuckled, the sound exactly like her son’s. Bubbly and infectious. “Krystal, for sure. She’s played such a smart game.”

I nodded, agreeing, although I wasn’t entirely sure there was a Krystal in this season.