"Oh, crap," Melissa Hanscomb said as her boyfriend pulled up in front of her house. "I was hoping they would be asleep or out on the town. I figured the latter, since it
is
Friday night." Melissa was referring to her sister, Michelle, and her mother, Angela. The three had been close for years, ever since the death of their father / husband, Donald, sticking by and supporting each other.
By the same token, Melissa wanted some time alone at her home with her boyfriend, Robert Lackland. The occasional Friday or Saturday night "staycation" at a hotel (even a nice one, as Robert tended to select) was no substitute for the idea / dream of holding him close (and possibly more) in her own bed. But her mom and sister (and often her nephew, when he wasn't spending time with Michelle's ex-husband) always seemed to be around, putting a damper on anything more than cuddling on the couch while watching a movie.
"Don't worry, Melissa," Robert replied as he shut off the engine. "I'm sure that one of these nights, they'll be more than willing to give us some extra private space. And you have to admit - they
do
care about you. Maybe I just haven't won them over yet."
"Yeah, right," she scoffed. "You should hear them! It's as though you're the best thing since sliced bread and canned beer combined! They're always gushing about how great you are. Hell, I think Michelle might be a bit jealous of me!"
"In that case," he said while opening the driver's door of his Buick Enclave, "let's not flaunt it
too
much when we get inside." Before Melissa, could reply, he had already jogged around the car and was opening her door. While objecting to this at first, saying she was grown enough to open her own doors, Melissa had come to appreciate and even enjoy her boyfriend's bouts of being an old-fashioned gentleman. Once the car door was closed, the two walked hand-in-hand up the front walk and into the living room.
"Hey, you two," boomed Angela Hanscomb from the dining room table. "I wasn't expecting to see you guys for another few hours... or maybe even tomorrow morning." The lilt in the older woman's voice said she knew - or at least strongly suspected - the reason behind their very late nights together. "Seriously, would either of you like some coffee?"
"Only if it's already made," Robert replied. "Don't go brewing a pot just for me. I'm not that special - ow! That hurt!" A sharp elbow to his ribs cut off Robert's self-deprecation.
"Don't worry, Robert. I just brewed a fresh pot about five minutes ago. You want some too, Mel?"
"Sure, mom. Need me to help you?"
"No, no, I've got it. You kids just settle in on the couch. I'll be back shortly."
"Say, mom," Melissa asked the retreating back, "where's Michelle?"
"On the phone, saying good night to Donny. She should be out in a few minutes." As if on cue, Michelle Hanscomb walked down the stairs, tossing her ash-blonde hair, dressed in her usual home attire of cargo shorts and crop-top t-shirt. While a little disconcerted by it when they first met, Robert had grown used to the older sister's overly casual at-home attire.
"And what are you doing at home on Friday night," Melissa asked her sister. "With Donny at his dad's, I figured you - shoot, both of you - would be out painting the town." Taking the cup of coffee from her mom, Melissa took a quick sip. Robert had set his on the coffee table without drinking.
"That's tomorrow night," Michelle replied. "Bobby Ramone is doing a show down at the Edgewater - now don't you start," Michelle said on seeing the scowl on her sister's face. "Despite what you think, he's actually a good guy. Just a little rough around the edges."
Rough around the edges?
Melissa thought.
More like misogynistic bastard. He puts down women every chance he gets. What in the
HELL
do you see in him?
"Michelle, we've got company. Let's not get into that argument, okay?"
"Agreed, sis." Michelle took a sip from her own cup as Angela sat down. "The thing is... I need a little something this weekend to take my mind off the fact that Donny is with his dad. I wish I could keep him all the time, but the court did grant Allen custody and visitation, and there's not much I can do about that."
"So I take it you're going to make the best of the weekend," Robert asked. "Both of you ladies, even?"
"Oh, I'm sure we'll find something," Angela replied. "Even if it's just a private wine and cheese party here at home. I'm not into the rock and roll scene like Michelle, is after all."
"I think I can understand that," Robert said, leaning back with a slight smile. "I'm not a big fan of what passes for 'rock-pop' music these days myself. Give me some Chicago or Journey any day."
Robert's eyes quietly took in all three ladies. Melissa, of course, was by far the most attractive, her 27-year-old body fit and trim with nicely proportioned 38C breasts (he knew the size from glancing at her discarded bra during one of their staycations). 31-year-old Michelle, he thought, could have been as pretty, but seemed to be letting herself go in the aftermath of her divorce two years before. Not only were her clothes somewhat ill considered; she had been getting a bit dumpy over the months that Robert and Melissa had been dating. He hoped she would find a way out of that spiral soon. As for Angela, he couldn't believe the woman was 57 years old. Robert knew that a good part of her striking figure came from the evenings she spent at the gym with Melissa, as well as her career as a registered dietician. Robert had also seen the way various 20-something boys and 30-something men stared at her in awe - something that Angela somehow took in stride.
"I'm curious, Angela" - she had long ago made it clear she
despised
being called "ma'am" - "what sort of wine would you choose for this party?"
"Oh, maybe a bottle of Pinot Grigio, maybe Pinot Noir if I'm in the mood. Certainly a good one, not some cheep Lambrusco!" It was an inside joke, stemming from the time that Robert had shown her how the cheaper wine could just as easily be used as a chicken marinade for grilling. "Why? Do you have a suggestion, oh great wine expert?"
As everyone chuckled again, he said, "Actually, yes. Something I tried the other night at a friend's house. I'm not sure you've heard of it - I know I hadn't. It's called