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Joe had had a plan: bake a cake in the hope it would impress the cute Italian exchange student to such a degree that he would go on a date with Joe.
Joe didn't understand how he could have burned the cake. He had followed the recipe and done everything the paper said. And then there was his mother's kitchen. It looked like a battlefield. After cleaning the kitchen, Joe sat down at the kitchen table and looked at the burned cake.
"Joe?" Aisha asked. "Are you home?"
"Yeah," joe replied with a deep sigh.
Aisha found her son with his head resting on his hands on the kitchen table looking like all hope had left him. It was clear that he was fighting to keep the tears back. Aisha sat down on a chair next to Joe and placed her hand over his.
"Tell me," Aisha said. "What's wrong?"
"Me being stupid as always," Joe replied. "Nothing new."
"You're not stupid," Aisha reassured once again. "No matter what your so-called father says."
Joe's father had called Joe stupid when Joe had found the courage to tell his father, that he was gay. It was the last time, Joe's father had spoken with him.
"Is not that, mom," Joe said. "There's this guy and he is so wonderful. For months, I've tried to talk with him, but every time I try I lose my nerves. So, I thought that baking a cake would make things easier because he loves cakes. Look at the result of that plan."
Joe pointed at the cake.
"Another thing I can add to the list of things, I can't do," Joe said with a defeated look on his face.
Joe rubbed his eyes. The last thing he wanted was to cry in front of his mother. Aisha ran her fingers through Joe's curls.
"Then we better teach you how to bake a cake," Aisha said. "Show me what you did."
"The recipe is over there," Joe replied and pointed at the kitchen counter. "But I don't see the point. The last time I baked, I almost burned down your kitchen. Sorry."
"We won't talk about you burning the kitchen down," Aisha said as she took the recipe.
"Thanks," Joe replied. "I promise that I'll never bake or cook again."
"Yes, you'll because you want to give a cake to a very special person," Aisha replied. "And what kind of recipe is that?"
"I know he likes chocolate, so I printed the first recipe I found on the net," Joe replied. "And look at the result."
Joe once again pointed at the burned cake, which made Aisha take the cake and throw it in the bin together with the recipe.
"Find your jacket," Aisha said. "We're going shopping for a cake."
"Didn't I just say that I'll never bake or cook again?" Joe asked. "Maybe I can impress him with my skills when it comes to instant noodles."
"Jacket, now, Joe," Aisha ordered. "You're going to bake that cake."
Joe reluctant got up and found his jacket and followed his mother to the supermarket. It didn't take long before they were home again.
"Take a bowl," Aisha said. "And the scale."
"Mom," Joe said. "I really don't want to burn down your kitchen."
"You won't," Aisha reassured. "Just do what I tell you to do."
Joe knew that it was better to do what his mother told him to do, so he found the things she asked for.
"Tell me about the young man you like," Aisha said.
"I didn't say I like him," Joe replied. "I just want to give him a cake before he leaves."
Joe stopped stirring in the bowl. He hated himself for having lost the courage over and over again to speak with the Italian exchange student he didn't know the name of.
"He is from Italy and is only here for a year," Joe said. "But I don't know what it is he is doing to me. Every time he smiles or looks at me then...."
Joe didn't know how to explain it, so he returned to stirring.
"You're in love," Aisha said. "It's one of those things you can't explain, you just know you're in love."
"Did you love dad?" Joe wanted to know.
"Not the way I should have. We were so young when we got you," Aisha replied. "But you're and will always be the best thing I got out of that relationship."
"Does it feel right with Holger?" Joe wanted to know.
Holger was a Dane, Aisha had met a couple of months ago. Joe liked him more than his father because Holger had said there was nothing wrong with being gay, and given Joe a number to Holger's uncle, who was gay in case there were questions, Joe didn't want to talk with his mother about. Also, Holger had been there for every of Joe's football matches, taken him to the cinema, and even bought him new art supplies. But the real reason why Joe liked Holger was that he had asked Joe first if it was ok that he dated Joe's mother.
"It does, yes," Aisha replied. "But we're taking it slow as we promised you."
"I think you should say yes to going with Holger for the event in Denmark," Joe suggested. "I know you want to do it."
"If it's ok with you, Joe," Aisha said. "But do you want to come? There is a lot of art for you to look at, and Holger mentioned his niece, who is more than happy to show you around."
"As long I don't have to look at you kissing him, then yes," Joe replied. "Sorry."
Aisha gave Joe's hip a gentle push.
"Typical teenager," Aisha said laughing. "And just wait until I say the same thing to you when you kiss a boy."
"MOM!" Joe said as he blushed. "Please stop or else I won't go with you to Denmark."
"You started," Aisha said. "Remember that."
They both laughed as Aisha put the cake in the oven.
"Now, tell me what is your plan with the cake," Aisha said.
"Leave it on the doorstep and run," Joe replied. "I really don't have the courage to face him."
"You're not doing that," Aisha said. "Joe, if you want to speak with him, you have to face him."
"I don't even know if he has noticed me," Joe said. "And what do I have to offer someone who is perfect?"
Aisha took Joe's face between her hands.
"You're kindhearted, sweet, and got a lot to offer," Aisha replied. "If he can't see that, then he is worth spending time with."
The next morning after yet another pep talk from his mother, Joe found himself standing on the street staring at the house he knew the exchanged students were staying at. With every passing second, Joe lost more and more of the courage to go over and knock on the door.
"Are you looking for someone?" A voice asked behind Joe.
Joe turned around and found himself face to face with the Italian exchange student, Joe had been daydreaming about for months.
"Yeah, uhm, yeah," Joe said. "I better leave."
"Why leaving, Joe?" The Italian asked. "You just said you were looking for someone."
Joe stared at the Italian. He had never thought that someone saying his name would be like hearing an angel speak.
"How do you know my name?" Joe wanted to know.
"I asked Susie," The Italian replied. "On the first day, I saw you."
"You have seen me?" Joe asked. "Why?"
"How could I not see you?" The Italian asked. "Your smile and laughter lit up the entire room."
Joe's jaw dropped. The Italian exchange student had noticed him.
"But I know you aren't interested in talking with me," The Italian said and got a sad look in his eyes.
"Why do you think that?" Joe wanted to know.
"Every time I tried to speak with you," The Italian replied. "You ran the other way."
Joe felt so stupid. Well, more than that. He was also a bit angry at himself for his behavior.
"Please don't think that," Joe said. "Is not that I don't want to talk with you, because I want that more than anything. Is just because I didn't have the courage to do it."
Joe held out the cake with an insecure smile.
"That's why I baked a cake for you," Joe said. "I was hoping that I could use the cake as an excuse to talk with you."
The Italian looked at Joe without taking the cake. Joe started to feel like it was a bad idea.
"Thanks for the cake," The Italian said. "But haven't you noticed we have been speaking together for the last five minutes?"
"Please go on a date with me," Joe said but the moment the words had left his mouth, he regretted saying them. They had just started to speak together and Joe knew there wasn't a chance that would happen.
The Italian took the cake with a smile.
"Met me at the cinema at 7 PM," The Italian said.
Joe stared after the Italian, who was walking towards the house, trying to process the last thing. It was first when a man walked into Joe, that he moved.
After taking a shower and going through his entire wardrobe without too much interference from his mother, Joe got to the cinema on time.
"Hey," Joe said. "Have you waited long?"
"Hey," The Italian replied. "And no. Just a couple of minutes. What do you want to watch?"
Joe looked at the different movie posters.
"What about Call Me By Your Name?" Joe suggested.
"Great idea," The Italian replied. "Then I can show you the town I'm from."
"Wait," Joe said. "Are you from the city it takes place in?"
"Yes, Crema. It's a beautiful place," The Italian replied. "So, if you're buying the popcorn, then I'll buy the drinks."
"Sounds fine," Joe replied. "But you have to let me buy the tickets. Then you can buy the next time."
"Are you already hoping for a second date?" The Italian wanted to know.
"Hoping, yes," Joe replied. "And praying."
"Since the cake, you baked tasted so good," The Italian said. "There's a big chance for a second date."
Joe rubbed his neck sheepishly.
"I better confess something," Joe said. "It was my mom's fault you got a cake that tasted good. I almost burned down the kitchen with my first attempt."
"I'm glad you're honest. It's a good quality to have," The Italian said. "And it is something I appreciate."
"So do I," Joe replied. "I promise to tell my mom you liked the cake."
It didn't take long before they sat down on the seats.
"Something wrong? The Italian wanted to know when Joe kept turning his head to the left.
"Yeah, we need to switch seats," Joe replied. "I can't hear what you're saying if you're sitting on my left side."
"That's no problem," The Italian replied and they quickly switched seats. "May I ask what happened?"
"Yes, since we're honest with each other," Joe replied. "It was a freak accident when I was 3. I was playing football with a friend and the ball hit me on the left side of the face. When I woke up the next morning, I couldn't hear anything. It turned out the football had broken the eardrum. Ever since I have had a hearing aid."
Joe turned his head and showed it to Nicky.
"Nowadays they're smaller than when I was younger," Joe said. "But I still prefer to have people to my right side."
"I'm sorry to hear you lost your hearing, but I'm glad you got help," The Italian said. "And I promise to stay on your right side."
"Thanks," Joe replied. "Much appreciated."
When the movie started the Italian leaned his head against Joe's shoulder, while they held hands. Joe enjoyed it and felt so lucky to be on a date with the most handsome person in the entire world, but he also still hated himself for being such an idiot the last couple of months. He could have had this all the time instead of running away.
"You come from a beautiful place," Joe said when they left the cinema.
"I hope I can show you one day," The Italian replied. "Are you from Rotterdam?"
"Yes, I'm born here, and I love the place," Joe replied. "But one day I want to see the world."
"So, do I," The Italian replied. "That's why I'm going to work for a year, before travelling for a year. After that, who knows."
"Sounds like you got a plan," Joe said. "I'm still trying to work it all out."
The Italian took around Joe's arm and leaned into him.
"If you haven't noticed, this is working out pretty well," The Italian said. "Or do you disagree?"
"Not at all," Joe replied. "I love how that worked out."
Joe placed a kiss on the Italian's cheek.
"Did Papa really kiss you on your first date?" Sofia asked.
Joe nodded.
"How romantic," Sofia said with hearts in her eyes. "I hope someone will do that one day with me."
Joe didn't hope for that. It would mean his little girl had grown up.
"You call that a bedtime story?" Lucas asked with his arms crossed looking irritated. "Where's the action? The dragon? The bad guy? And who in their right mind kisses someone who they don't know the name of? He could have been a killer."
"Papa is not a killer," Sofia said. "And I still think it's a good bedtime story."
"That might be," Lucas replied. "But tomorrow Papa tells the bedtime story. More dragon, less kissing."
Lucas made a growling noise, which made Sofia hide under her duvet.
"And now it's time for you both to sleep," Nicky said as he tucked Lucas under his duvet. "And don't scare your sister anymore today."
"I promise," Lucas said with a yawn. "Night Papa and Baba."
After tucking the children in and kissing them goodnight, Joe and Nicky started to clean the kitchen.
"Not that it wasn't a good bedtime story," Nicky said. "But you didn't kiss me before our fifth date."
"I know, I know," Joe replied before placing a kiss on Nicky's cheek. "I just told the story the way I had hoped it would have happened. Remember what a mess I was."
"A very lovely mess," Nicky replied. "And I think it was a very good bedtime story."
Nicky put down the tea towel and pulled Joe in for a kiss.
"Awwwwwwwww," Sofia sighed. "How romantic."
"I disagree," Lucas said. "I would rather face a dragon than kissing someone."
"And why aren't you in bed?" Nicky wanted to know.
"It was Sofia's idea," Lucas said as he pointed at his sister. "It's her who loves kissing."
"Was not," Sofia protested as she pointed at her brother. "We all know Lucas is the one who gets the ideas. He is 12 minutes older than me, which means he has been making trouble longer than me."
Joe and Nicky each picked up a child before carrying them back to bed. The children didn't sleep before they had gotten another bedtime story about a dragon.