“I can’t have you there Patrick. My mom is going to be crazy enough without you being there,” I tell Patrick as we get closer to the park where I texted my mom I would meet her.

“She won’t. Sometimes having a stranger there or doing something in public defuses a situation a little bit. And besides that, what’s the use of having a boyfriend if he can’t be with you during difficult situations?” Patrick answers, taking his eyes off the road for only a second before looking back.

“Look Patrick, it’s bad enough to spring Mister Watson on her in the middle of the park. If I throw my...