Author's Note: This is a ROMANCE story between a guy and gal; he happens to be black, she happens to be white. Looking for a fetish stroker? This isn't it. I must thank AsylumSeeker for his patience and long-suffering in editing my copy. All good is from him, any bad comes from my own stumbling mind.
*
"Are you sure your family's ready for this?"
"Ready for what?" she asked with a slight smile, her eyes focused on the road in front of her, already understanding his meaning.
Kevin glanced sideways from the passenger seat and quirked an eyebrow.
You know damn well what,
he thought.
"You should have told them."
Deonne had somehow forgotten to mention to her lily-white, redneck family that her boyfriend of over a year was black. Okay, so she hadn't really forgotten, she just kept putting it off. They knew everything about him but his race. She wasn't really sure how they would react initially. Yep, she had been a coward and now Kevin was going to pay the price when they climbed out of the car in a few minutes.
"It'll be okay," she suggested hopefully, "they're open-minded, not stereotypical hicks from the sticks. We'll just have to give them time to adjust."
"Dee ..." he started then stopped. Sighing, he continued. "It's one thing to be open-minded in general, but something else when your baby girl brings home a black man."
Her eyes grew concerned, a small, deeply buried worry that she had tried hard to ignore felt like a stone in her stomach. Taking her eyes from the road, she took in his strong profile, his hair, cropped short, his wide, almost blunt nose and firm, lean face that revealed a dimple in his left cheek when he smiled. Right now his brown eyes looked back at her with mild accusation. Race had not been much of a factor in their relationship, but instantly it had become this huge deal and it was all because of her.
Watching her face change expressions, Kevin felt a tight frustration pull at his gut. Frankly, he didn't give a damn what her family thought of him or their relationship, but they were very important to her, and with so many brothers, sisters and a plethora of extended family, she had a minefield to negotiate.
As she turned the car off the pavement onto the gravel road that would carry them the last leg of their journey to her parent's house that feeling of wholeness, of belonging, came over her as it always did when she returned to her childhood home.
Much about the area bothered her. The poverty and lack of hope that hung over the region decade after decade like a persistent never-ending fog had driven her away and made her weep for those stuck in its oppressive grip, but it was still home. The mowed off cornfields of the lowlands that trailed the river and gentle rolling hills covered in trees were now barren, cold and packed up for the winter. This would always be a living part of her, invisible roots buried deep into her very being, just as the roots of the old oak trees on the farm burrowed deep into the rich Ohio soil.
Accelerating quickly up the steep, curving incline, she announced abruptly, "This is where my brother slid off the road and flipped over. The van rolled once before it stopped. I thought we were going to die!"
Kevin refused to show fear, but as he gazed at where she pointed his eyes grew large as he saw the steep slope down the hill, a small creek meandering at the bottom.
"You were there? Were you okay?" he couldn't help asking.
"Oh, yeah! It was just John and me. It started to snow while we were in town, so there was a thin coating on the road and with the washboard effect these roads get he lost control of the back and next thing we knew, over we went. But Dad just got the tow truck out here and he and my brothers flipped it over and pulled it back up the hill. It fired right up and he drove it home. It got a couple scratches on the side and a dent on the roof, but other than that, it was fine. I was so mad at him. I wanted to drive and he bullied me."
"Was your dad upset?"
"Dad? Nah, he rarely gets mad. He may look like a night club bouncer, but he's usually a pussy cat. It was just an accident. John wasn't driving fast or anything."
Deonne's idea of fast driving had him doubting her on that, but he kept quiet.
The next thing he knew they were sliding on the gravel as she hit the brakes and made a hard left turn onto a dirt driveway. He was grateful for his grip on the dash as she slammed into a pothole the size of Rhode Island; chickens were scattering in their path.
God. Does she ever slow down?
As she pulled to a stop Kevin was able to focus on his surroundings, the jarring from her breakneck speed over the rutted path having abruptly halted. To the left stood a large modern barn and several outbuildings with woods and pasture spanning to the right. In the middle was a rambling old Victorian farmhouse. Kevin climbed out of the small rental car.
Okay, where is it?
He knew there had to be one. Yup, sauntering his way was the scruffiest, dirtiest yellow mutt he had ever seen. And he was making a beeline right to him.
"Larry!" Deonne shouted, "Get off him! Right now!"
"Larry? Your dog's name's Larry?"
"What's wrong with Larry?" she asked, pulling the fishy smelling dog off her impeccable boyfriend. Kevin had never seemed so city-boy as he did right now. Wasn't he a tough army guy? But as she watched him brush dirt and crud off his black sweater, she noticed a small smile. Not so slick after all.
"It just doesn't seem very dog-like."
The front door opened and two very large men came out. Deonne had not exaggerated when she mentioned a night club bouncer. Coming towards him was Daddy Bouncer and Junior Bouncer. Both were wearing yards of hunting camouflage, boots and well-worn baseball caps.
"Well, look what Larry drug up from the pond!"
Deonne stuck her tongue out at her brother. Kevin was sure that only a little sister would dare challenge Junior Bouncer like that.
"Daddy, Phil. This is Kevin."
Please,
she prayed,
don't let them say something stupid. For once.
Kevin took half a step toward her brother, who was closest and stuck out his hand. "It's nice to finally meet you."
Deonne's oldest brother gripped his hand and looked him in the eye. "Same here. Glad you could make it for Thanksgiving."
When Kevin turned towards her father his hand was already waiting. "Nice to meet you, son." With that he turned towards his daughter and gave her a long, hard stare full of meaning, and then he grabbed her to him for a big hug.
"Glad to see she managed to get you here in one piece. Seems to think a car is a plane that flies on the ground." Having said his little joke, he stuck his hands in his pockets and made his way back towards the house leaving everyone chuckling except Deonne.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she huffed.
"Need any help with your bags?" Phil volunteered.
"I sure do," Deonne piped up.
"Not you, river rat. Get your own bags. I'm talkin' to the compn'y."
"Nah, I'm good," Kevin replied, grabbing both his and Deonne's bags out of the back of the car.
Deonne pushed open the heavy red door and held the wooden screen for Kevin, letting it slam shut with a loud bang behind her. Kevin found himself in a large living room with a staircase running up the left side of the room. He took in the light green walls and worn, overstuffed brown couch and loveseat, built more for comfort than looks. In the corner was Mr. McNeil's obvious throne, a dark green leather Lay-z-boy, with a direct view of the older model television. On one wall was a fireplace, and next to the loveseat was a vintage upright piano.
"Deonne! You're here!" Rushing at her was a tall, slightly heavyset woman in her early thirties with long dark hair and wearing a loose t-shirt and jeans. Behind her was an attractive, petite blonde, looking overly dressed for farm life in a beige pantsuit and stiletto heels. Both were wearing large smiles.
"Becca! I thought you weren't coming down until tomorrow?" Deonne greeted, putting her arms around her taller sister.
"Well, Dan can't come until tomorrow, but I couldn't stay away," she responded before glancing at Kevin.
Oh yeah,
Deonne thought,
my sister couldn't stand waiting a minute longer to meet my mystery man.
Looking past her sister, she moved towards Phil's wife, Camille. "Hi, Camille. It's been a long time. I'm glad you guys could make it," she said and gave her a small hug. Deonne had never felt comfortable with Phil's wife. Her sophistication and quietness intimidated her. Phil and Camille were proof that opposites attract.
Looking back at Kevin who stood watching by the luggage, she introduced him. "Becca, Camille. This is my friend, Kevin."
Merriment lit Becca's eyes. "Hi, Kevin. We've heard so much about you." With that she gave her sister an ornery look and shook Kevin's hand.
Kevin smiled back, "And yet, not enough, I'm afraid."
Camille, more naturally reserved, politely put out her hand in greeting and Kevin realized that this sophisticated looking lady had the kindest eyes he had ever seen. He instantly liked her.
Receiving their room assignments from Becca, Deonne pushed her nose in the air and commanded in a pitiful British accent, "Follow me, kind sir, and I shall take you to your suite!" With that she proceeded to head towards the staircase.
Deonne trotted him down a long hallway and picked a doorway on the right. Shaking his head while trying to keep up and not bang the luggage into the wall, he wondered if there was a fire or something. Deonne walked just like she drove.
Upon entering his room, he took in the two mismatched twin beds with coordinated thin dark blue bedspreads, dark blue curtains and light blue walls. A small maple dresser from a bygone era stood between the two windows. Small children's sleeping bags covered the floor along with gym bags, toys, and young boys' clothing dumped helter-skelter.
Behind him Deonne leaned on the door, closing it. Putting the bags down, Kevin straightened and looked at her.
"You know, I don't think you've had a very good McNeil welcome," Deonne decided, her face wearing a look of mock seriousness.
"I haven't?"
"Nope," she confirmed, shaking her head slowly as she climbed over a gym bag and Matchbox cars making her way towards him. "And I think I'm going to have to do something about that."
"Oh, yeah?" A small smile touched his lips as he watched her.
Her mark in sight, Deonne felt her toe catch on the end of a sleeping bag, halting her forward movement abruptly. Throwing her hands out, she managed to land on her hands and knees at Kevin's feet.
