The events in this story take place shortly after Denae's Day of Research
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On the way home from Atlanta, Bill thought about the job offer and the possibility of a future with Denae. Still excited by her experiences at the strip club, she was very talkative during the drive and did not leave Bill many opportunities to speak. As he pondered and Denae talked, he looked over at her occasionally, taking delight in her mannerisms, her beauty, her joy. By the time they were nearing the Georgia border, he had decided he would take a leap of faith and ask her to marry him. He spent the rest of the drive and the next couple of days working out how and when to propose.
Having made up his mind to ask Denae to marry him, Bill wanted to be sure to do it the right way. To him, that meant seeking and getting permission from Denae's parents and then having a ring to give her should she say yes. He used funds that were earmarked for his relocation to Atlanta to purchase the ring. Deep down he knew this was unwise, but he reasoned he would be able to move economically by doing the job himself and would finance the move with money earned by working basketball games. This allowed Bill to buy what he considered a respectable diamond.
Bill knew very little about jewelry, so he placed his trust in the people at the only jewelry store in town. They counseled him extensively over the course of four visits and helped him select a 2.5 karat diamond in a white gold setting.
As for getting permission from Sam and Serena, Bill decided he would make a quick trip to Florida to speak to them in person. Keeping such a trip a secret from Denae would require a cover story and the one he concocted was his need to attend a Referee Clinic in Charlotte that would last two days and require an overnight stay. He explained to Denae that he would have limited opportunities to speak to her by phone while he was away and that she would not be able to join him because he would be compelled to share a room with another clinic attendee.
Once he had all his plans made and his cover story in place, three days before he wanted to speak to Denae's parents, Bill called Serena to ask if he might stop in to see her and Mr. Sam briefly. Serena was surprised by the request as it was unexpected and unusual. When Bill asked her not to mention his visit to Denae, she realized what the purpose of Bill's visit would be; or at least what she hoped the purpose of the visit would be. She told Bill she and Sam would love to see him and when she found out he would arrive around five thirty in the afternoon, she told him she would prepare dinner for the three of them.
After the call, Serena phoned Sam at work and told him about her conversation with Bill and his upcoming visit. Sam was puzzled and wondered why Bill would come on short notice and without Denae. Serena, smiling broadly when she spoke into the phone, said, "I know why he's coming here and I'm sure you do too. Isn't it wonderful?"
The day of his trip to Florida, Bill told Denae he would miss her and assured her he would call when opportunities arose. He put on decent pants, a nice shirt and his only jacket and made his way to Charlotte and boarded his flight to Tampa. During the flight, Bill rehearsed what he would say to the people he hoped would become his in-laws. He had gone online and utilized translation software in order to ask the Rapallinos' permission in their native Italian. He hoped the extra effort would make them more likely to give him their blessing.
From the Tampa airport, Bill took a ride-share car to the Rapallinos and arrived just after five-thirty in the afternoon. Sam, who was still dressed from his day at the office, answered the door and invited him in, shaking his hand warmly. As they walked into the family room, Serena emerged from the kitchen. She was removing an apron, revealing a nice dress. Bill could tell she had gone to some trouble fixing herself up and looked beautiful as a result. And he noticed she was barefoot, which he knew meant she had spent considerable time in the kitchen. Bill could see Serena was treating his visit as a special occasion. She hugged him and kissed him on the cheek.
Serena announced Bill's timing was perfect and that dinner was ready, so they should all proceed to the table. Bill and Sam took their seats, Bill across from Serena's chair, both their spots flanking Sam at the head of the table. Serena brought out a platter of veal cutlets and a bowl of pasta. She made a return trip to the kitchen to bring Bill a beer while Sam poured wine for Serena and himself from a bottle that had been waiting on the table.
The three made small talk as they began eating. Sam and Serena asked how classes were going. Bill asked how work was going for Sam and how things were for them both at home. Bill was nervous and Denae's parents could tell. Eventually, Bill stopped eating and looked at them. "I know my showing up on short notice without Denae and in the middle of the week is odd. But there is something important I felt I needed to discuss with you both."
Sam and Serena, sensing the moment had come, were both attentive. After a deep breath, Bill launched into his highly rehearsed request in his best Italian. When he finished, he sat and awaited an answer. Serena looked perplexed and Sam dipped his head and chuckled. Bill was ready for several different reactions, but neither of these.
Sam spoke first, saying, "Bill, are you asking us this or telling us this?"
Serena immediately began to scold her husband, but he cut her off. "No. Serena. We should hear the boy out."
As if he were holding back laughter, Sam turned to Bill and added, "Bill, I could not tell from your use of the verb, if you were asking us or if you were telling us you want hold Denae's hand at a wedding."
Bill deflated; Sam laughed a good-natured laugh, and Serena shook her head at her husband.
"I guess I blew that, huh?" Bill admitted.
Sam grinned. "Bill, we appreciate the effort very much, but why not just try again and in English this time?"
Bill looked at them both and, with no rehearsed speech to recite, found himself speaking from the heart. "Mr. Sam and Ms. Serena, I love Denae more than I thought I could ever love anyone. She's kind and smart and patient and generous and beautiful. She makes the world a better place and me a better person. I can't imagine what my life would be like without her. I don't know if she would have me, but may I have your permission to ask her to marry me?"
Bill did not have to wait for their reactions to this version of his request; he noticed tears welling up in Serena's eyes and Sam grinning. Serena looked at her husband and Sam spoke for them both when he said they would be very happy for Denae to marry him. Bill was greatly relieved to hear that and told them so. There was an air of celebration through the rest of dinner. Bill showed them both the ring and told them he had accepted the job offer in Atlanta. Near the end of dinner, Serena asked if Bill's mother, Cheryl, was excited that he would be proposing to Denae.
"Well, she doesn't know," he replied.
"What? You haven't told your mother yet?" Serena asked, clearly surprised.
"No ma'am. No one knows yet. Until a few minutes ago, I didn't know if I'd even be able to ask Denae. Now that I have your permission and can ask her, I don't know what she'll say. If she turns me down, I'd prefer to keep the number of witnesses as low as possible."
Serena shook her head. "Don't be silly, Bill. Of course, she'll say yes. And this is a big step in both your lives. I know Cheryl would want to know about this."
Bill reiterated his preference to keep the matter quiet for the time being. Serena begrudgingly promised she would not share the news with Cheryl, leaving that to Bill on his own schedule.
When they had finished their dinner, Serena suggested that Sam pour each of them a drink from his good bottle of scotch and asked Bill to assist her in the kitchen. Bill dutifully grabbed his plate and Sam's and followed Serena to the kitchen. After they had both deposited their dishes on the counter, Serena turned to Bill and hugged him.
"Oh, Bill, I'm so glad you're the one who will be the father of my nipotini," she said.
"Nipotini?"
"Sorry. Grandbabies. And I want lots of grandbabies," she said, expressively waiving her hands.
"Ms. Serena. Please don't put the cart before the horse. I'm not convinced Denae will say yes. And I always thought bambino was baby."
