Tonight she was meeting his parents for the first time. It was a beautiful fall day on the coast and all the room mates were inviting their families to eat together. Jack and Kristie had been dating seriously for several months now and they were falling deeply in love…. In fact they had both used the L-word and were spending most nights together. One by one, she had heard him breaking it off with each former girl friend in turn. It was definitely serious.
There were complications. Like the fact that she was a divorce’ with two cute little kids. She had actually been around the block a few times before, so she wasn’t the white picket fence his parents were hoping for in a mate for their eldest son. He, on the other hand, had been looking for a woman just like her: exciting, talented, smart, funny, determined, and a good mother who was also sexy.
His mom pursed her lips together. She had her doubts. She had already heard the gossip from Jack’s younger brother. Judgement had been passed. His family had been disappointed each time one of their mid-western Christian children married someone other than a WASP. Jack’s dad, however, did recognize the draw of this MILF for his son.
She was on her best behavior when one of the guests looked around the table and said, “Well, I guess we’re going to have a big announcement tonight?” Suddenly Kristie’s heart started palpitating and she began sweating. Then it was like she went deaf.
She couldn’t hear another thing that was being said. She was so afraid of what it was going to be about… It was too soon. She had kids. There were rules. First date for one year, then move in for one year, and then decide sometime after that if a permanent relationship was viable. It was a three year plan. It was too soon to make any proclamations.
Paralyzed with fear, it was like she was in a foreign movie and couldn’t understand a word of the conversation. Just then her baby began crying having just woken up from a nap. At that exact same moment, her future father-in-law began rubbing his foot up and down her leg under the table.
She took this opportunity to bolt from the room and sequestered herself in Jack’s bedroom to comfort her son. She came back into the dining room some minutes later holding the now smiling towheaded chap on her hip.
Right then her future mother-in-law opened her heart and arms to the whole situation. She took the little chappy on her lap and held him close. The charming little guy saved the day. Whew!
Happy Thanksgiving!
(First published 11/23/11)
