The Ineffable Ruth Rhodes

43 approval

vincent

"Are you nervous?"

Vincent stared at the familiar light brown and maroon red lined house with its manicured grass and garden, and the long driveway they'd walked up. He was nervous, oh God, of course he was. Maybe he should've worn a full tux instead of a collar and brown sweatshirt with jeans and high-top cream converse. Was it too late to change?

"If they're anything like you, I think I'll be fine," Vincent said mostly to convince himself, quickly kissing Ruth's cheek.

She arched sleek brows at him for a moment. Then she laughed like she found his comment genuinely funny, unlocking her door. "Alright, Vincent."

He stepped into her house first, silence meeting him differently  in comparison to his always rowdy home.

It wasn't like he'd never seen her parents at all-- he'd been to her house several times, but he'd never formally met them in a way where he was trying to impress them, only fleeting passings, like when he came to visit Ruth and met her mother on her way to work.

Yeah.

He should've wore the tux.

"Gabi is at Lethbridge this weekend sadly," Ruth said locking the door behind him. Then she cupped her hands around her mouth. "I'm home!" she yelled.

An older lady who looked strikingly familiar peeked her head out from the wall next to the stairs leading to the second floor, reddish curls bouncing. She had a kind face, her complexion bright and lively, and her smile inviting. That, he recognized, was her mother.

"Oh, hi, Vincent," she said first, then met her daughter's eyes. "Right?"

Ruth nodded, turning to Vincent. "That's my mom."

"It's very nice to meet you," he said, then held out his hand like he was going to shake it, before pausing. She was still by the stairs.

"I'll be down in a sec, and we can shake hands." She laughed with Ruth, making him more comfortable. "Ololufe, Ruth is back!"

Once her mom went back, Ruth turned to him, amusement in her eyes. "Let's meet my dad."

She pulled him towards what he realized was the kitchen, and the aroma hit him like a brick in the face. He could smell the unique scent of jasmine rice, along with another rich smell he couldn't quite put his finger on. Whatever it was, it smelled incredible. His mouth practically started watering.

"Smells good, right?"

Vincent blinked.

Ruth's dad was in front of him, holding out a hand.

And he was thinking about food.

He held out his hand with haste. "Sorry. I'm Vincent; it's nice to meet you, Mr. Rhodes."

Ruth's dad laughed a hearty and boisterous laugh, revealing the straightest and whitest teeth he'd ever seen, and the most charismatic face. He was dressed in a casual hoodie and jeans, and his hair was shaved close to his scalp, with a bald spot forming. "No need. It tastes as good as it smells."

Vincent grinned. "Then I'm looking forward to it. Thank you for having me."

"Thank you for treating Ruth well," he said, and winked at his daughter.

Ruth scrunched up her nose. "We'll be at the table."

"Okay, my dear."

He followed Ruth to the table, slowing down his pace when they passed her baby photos, and she had to pull him harder and remind him he wasn't allowed to look.