The moment when a woman tells her parents she is getting married is supposed to be one of the most exciting points in her life. For me, it was one of nervousness and anxiety. Seriously, I got a tension headache just thinking about what I would say. It had been two weeks since I'd let Mel know and she texted me saying that if I didn't tell Mom and Dad, she would. So, with Keisha sitting there holding my hand, I made the call.
To say that they were stunned would have been an understatement, especially when Melissa showed them the pictures and video that I'd sent her. But, to their credit, they both sounded happy for me when they said congratulations. We agreed to get together in a couple of weeks so that my parents could meet Keisha. After we hung up, I admitted to my love that it could have gone a lot worse.
Keisha kissed me and handed me a glass of wine to calm my nerves. I sat on the couch, sipping the chardonnay as my fiancé rubbed my shoulders and neck, easing the tension from my body. To be honest, my parents were only part of the cause of my stress. At work, it was difficult to adjust to the fact that I didn't have Keisha there to help me but I was coping pretty well. Jim had told me that I'd done an amazing job with Keisha's education and he informed me that he would be writing a letter of recommendation for her to be hired on once she graduated.
Two weeks flew by and, before I knew it, Keisha and I were in my car, driving to my parents. Keisha seemed calm and happy; definitely not like how she had been when we'd driven to New York to meet her family. I, on the other hand, was a raw bundle of nerves. It wasn't like the situation with Lisa. At least with my ex, she accepted me for who I was.
We arrived before lunch at the home where I grew up. Taking a deep breath, Keisha and I walked to the front door and knocked. I was nearly bowled over when the door flew open and Melissa crushed me in a hug. She was a little gentler with the hug she gave Keisha, who was practically doubling over with laughter at the look on my face.
"Ahhhh! You're even prettier in person!" Melissa said, grabbing Keisha by the hand and pulling her inside. I followed, then stopped dead when I saw my parents. I couldn't help it but start trembling a little. My father was an intimidating man. He'd studied law at Harvard, then joined the Army. After over twenty years, the man retired and went into private practice as a lawyer. He never lost his military bearing. That's why I was shocked when he walked up and gave me a hug.
"God Pamela, I've missed you." he said before kissing my cheek. I broke down in tears. My mother moved him out of the way and gave me a hug of her own before leading me to the couch. I gratefully accepted the tissue she handed me, drying my eyes.
"Mom. Dad. This is Keisha." I said, choked up. That broke the ice a little.
Walking over to Keisha, my father held out his hand for her to shake. "Hi Keisha, please call me Tom."
Keisha looked him right in the eyes, firmly gripping his hand and shaking it. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir." she replied, flashing her smile. "Pam has told me a lot about you."
"Yes, I bet." My dad said, chuckling. Dad gestured to where my mom was sitting, her arm around my shoulder. "This is Sonya."
Mom gave my shoulders a squeeze, then stood up and touched cheeks with Keisha. "It's such a pleasure to meet you, dear. Please. Sit down and relax. You two must have had a long trip."
I'd recovered enough to have a conversation. Of course, we had to recount how we met and how the trip to Hawaii went. Mel, who'd remained uncharacteristically silent, had a chance now to pepper us with questions. I loved my little sister to death but I was honestly a little jealous of her in a small way. She was allowed to get away with so much that I couldn't even think of trying.
"So, you two met at the office." Dad said after we'd finished recounting the tale. "That's how I met Pam's mother. She was the secretary at the firm I interned at. Love at first sight."
"Oh Tom," Mom chided, standing up. "Don't bore the poor girl with your stories." Keisha let out a giggle. "Pam, would you come help me in the kitchen? Lunch should just about be ready."
I rose up, giving Keisha a look of apprehension as I followed my mother to the other room. I'd warned my love that this would occur. It was time to be cross examined by the master of the house.
The kitchen was filled with the smells of a pot of clam chowder on the stove top. Mom walked over, gave it a stir, then sat down at the kitchen table. I sat down as well, looking at the grain of the wood. Mom took me by the hand. "Pam, I want to say how sorry your dad and I are for the way we treated you over the years." I looked up and noticed tears in my mother's eyes. "We...weren't there for you when you needed us, were we?" I shook my head no, unable to speak. "You know we love you, right?" I nodded. "Well, this changes now. We are so happy you have found someone who obviously cares deeply for you."
I listened to my mother speak and tried to formulate a reply but couldn't. There was too much I wanted to say. Finally, I squeezed her hand and smiled. "I know you do, Mom. I love you both so much. I just hope Keisha survives being on the stand." I said, using the euphemism to describe my father interrogating one of his kids when we misbehaved.
Mom let out a laugh. "Well, you'd better go rescue her and let everyone know lunch is ready." I smiled, rose up and hugged my mom, then walked out to the living room to save the love of my life from the evil dragon.
They were singing the Harvard alma Marta. My father was a lot of things. A singer was not one of them. Mel was sitting in the recliner by the fireplace, her head in her hands, her body shaking from laughing while Keisha and Dad were just finishing up the last verse.
"Come on, Pammy! Join us!" Keisha said, laughing in enjoyment.
"Forget it, kiddo." Dad said, winking at me. "Your love went to Yale."
I stood there, looking stern for a moment. "Yeah, and graduated with honors, thank you very much. Mom says lunch is ready."
"I hope you like the best chowder this side of Boston, young lady." Dad said as he stood up.
"I can't wait to try it." Keisha replied as they walked side by side to the kitchen.
Melissa rose up. "Oh God, that was so funny!" she softly said as we walked together.
