That evening, our family sat down for dinner together. Since it was the weekend, everybody was casually dressed. My mom, who I have always been proud of for her looks, wore a blue, full length cotton skirt and yellow blouse that really made her shoulder-length chestnut hair stand out. My dad and I were in t-shirt and jeans, and Jen wore a gray, athletic-style t-shirt and brown corduroys.

I was going to take my normal place at the table down at the end, but mom stopped me.

"Mark, honey, why don't you and Jennifer sit together. Your father and I don't mind." she said.

Jen raised her eyebrows at me...