"Beef stroganoff."
Her mother said nothing for a moment. "With a mix, or from scratch?"
"From scratch."
Her mother stood there in silence. "And before that?"
"Lasagna."
Rowena's mother sighed. "What a good girl," she said. She watched as her husband drove the car up and brought it to the curb. "Soon you won't need me any more."
"Mom . . ." Rowena had no idea what to say. Her mother gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"And you'll make such a good wife," she said, smiling proudly. "If only you'd get married!"
"What was all that about?" Sammy asked, as she fastened her seat belt. They were finally alone.
"Would you believe," Rowena said, "my mother, of all people, almost admitted I have a right to live my life without her interference. Almost admitted I could."
"Did she really?"
"And she thinks I'm a good daughter, a good sister, and, apparently, a good cook."
"You are."
"But--my mother . . . I mean, my mother. She never thinks I can do anything right. I was--I was almost wondering if she really was my mother, just now, or maybe some lookalike sent by space aliens."
"She never admits to you that you can do anything right. She never admits you've grown up and become independent."
Rowena looked out the window. "She just about did tonight," she said. "She said I won't need her much longer."
Sammy took her hand and kissed it. "And then," Rowena said, "she told me I ought to get married." Sammy laughed, and Rowena squeezed the hand holding hers. She wasn't sure whether she wanted to laugh or not.
"At least you know now that she really is your mother," Sammy said. Rowena shot him an amused look.
"Some things never change, huh?" She looked out the window; Sammy, beside her, just sat quietly, his car's engine still running and the brake still on.
"What do you think?" Rowena asked, after a while. "Think she'll tell The Girls she baked the cake herself?"
"No."
"No?"
"What, and risk losing the Best Offspring competition? She's gonna brag on you, Sweetheart. Whether she's going to admit it to you or not."
"I, um--I still can't believe she's noticed I have any talents or anything."
"A good daughter like you?" Sammy asked. "Besides, I know a case of Cake Lust when I see it."
Rowena laughed. Sammy kissed her hand again and pulled his own away to put it on the steering wheel. He turned to look over at her.
"I think even Maralynne's impressed, down inside," he said.
"Maybe."
"So where do you want to go? We could go for a drive, or out for coffee, or to my place or yours . . . wherever you like."
Rowena looked out the window a moment, then back at Sammy. She didn't have to consider long.
"Home." She smiled at him so he would know it was an invitation. "Take me home."
S.D. Youngren - Rowena 5 - Rowena Moves Closer.txt Page 15
