There are six chapters in all. You may want to read the previous chapters before reading this one. The story has been edited by Estragon.
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I couldn't believe I was more nervous going to meet Tina's two teenage daughters than I have been meeting heads of companies. I wanted it to go right, my future with Tina depended on it. I had no idea what to expect. I arrive at their house. It was a beautiful home. Tina and her deceased husband had done quite well.
As I got out of the car and headed up the walkway I could hear one of the girls yell from inside the house, "He's here!" I took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. Tina opened the door and was smiling. "Come in Jeff." Her two daughters were standing there. They were two beautiful young girls, but that was no surprise since they looked like their mother.
"Jeff, these are my daughters Bev and Sue. You need to know that their bark is much worse than their bite."
Her youngest daughter Sue said, "Mom, that was so lame. We're just two girls that are intrigued about our mother's life when she was our age. Hi Mr. Adams, I'm pleased to meet you." She held out her hand for me to shake. I took her hand in both of mine and shook it lightly.
"If it's all right with you young ladies, you can call me, Jeff. I'm please to meet you Sue, and you, Beth," as I took her hand and shook it also.
"Would you like something to drink?" ask Tina.
"Coffee would be fine if you have it made," I replied.
"How do you take it?" asked Sue.
"Black would be fine; I sometimes use French vanilla or hazelnut flavoring."
"Oh my gosh, that's how Mom takes hers," said Sue.
I sat down and we talk about the company and general things and Sue asked if she could ask me a few questions. She said she asked her mother the same questions earlier and she wanted to see how compatible our answers were.
I told her I would answer them as best as I could. Tina, Beth and Sue were sitting on the couch and I was sitting in a chair. Beth had brought me a cup of coffee and I thanked her. She smiled at me. So far so good.
"What's your favorite restaurant? No looking at Mom for hints," said Sue.
I did look at Tina and she was laughing. "Well, I don't have one favorite restaurant but if it was seafood, then it would probably be the Red Lobster, for Italian I would say the Olive Garden."
"Mom said the same thing. Mom, you didn't call him and tell him your answers, did you?"
"No Sue, you just asked me the questions an hour ago. Maybe Jeff and I have a lot in common."
"OK, Jeff, what's your favorite movie of all time and why? No looking at Mom," replied Sue.
"Let me think about this one. I would have to say The Raiders of the Lost Ark, because I like Harrison Ford movies but mostly because it was the first movie I saw with your mom. If we're talking chic flicks I would go with Titanic. That was one awesome movie."
"I can't believe that you two didn't talk about it. Mom gave the same answers. Ok, this one won't be so easy. You're from Michigan but lived for eighteen years in Ohio; I read all about you in the articles mom cut out. Who do you root for, Michigan or Ohio State in football?" Sue was smiling, this has always been a huge rivalry.
"Sue, I need to explain something to you before answering. I want to be honest with you. While I was growing up it was the Big Ten Conference. But everybody always called it the big two and little eight. Most every year either Michigan or Ohio State would win the championship. It always aggravated me.
"You see, the Big Ten also had Michigan State in it and they hardly ever mention them in the Big Ten, but every year they would have a big game and beat either Ohio State or Michigan. So to answer honestly, I'd have to say I would root for the Michigan State Spartans."
Sue turned to her mother. "Mom, you must have told him. Your answers are all similar."
"Honey, Jeff told me that story about the Big Ten many years ago and since I liked him I agreed with him and rooted for Michigan State ever since. No one is trying to put anything over on you."
"Sue, I'm not a big sports fan. I like sports but I'm not a die-hard fan of any team. If the Cleveland Indians play the Detroit Tigers, I really don't care who wins. The same goes for the Browns and Lions. If I go to a game I root for the home team wherever I am. One exception is I do like the Detroit Red Wings."
"So does Mom," said Sue. "What about music? What's your favorite?"
"No favorites, but I'm a big oldies but goodies fan. I also have recently been listening to the Celtic Women. Their music calms me and I love the sounds of Ireland. Kind of like the music from Titanic. So, did I pass the test?"
"You and Mom could have been twins," replied Sue.
"Now, I have a question for you girls. Where would you like to go for lunch?"
"The Outback Steak House if you don't mind," said Beth. "It's mine and Sue's favorite."
"Sounds good to me, I've always liked a good steak."
Beth came up to me and asked me if she could ask me a question.
"Of course, what is it?"
She handed me her mother's yearbook. "We read all the saying that people wrote in Mom's book. A lot of them saying, 'Best of luck with Jeff,' or 'We wish you and Jeff the best life ever together,' I can go on but I think you get the idea. Why didn't you sign Mom's yearbook? She told us she signed yours."
I took a deep breath before answering. "Your mom and I had an argument which I totally regret. Your grandmother forbid your mother to see me or me her. I figured if I signed her yearbook and her mother saw it she might get in trouble and that's the last thing I wanted. Do you have a pen?"
I took the pen and opened it up to the last page of Tina's yearbook. I wrote, 'To the girl that I will never forget. You will be in my heart and always a part of me. Love, Jeff.'