ALMOST HEAVEN

Chapter 7

A week after the barbecue, on Clyde's day off, Clyde picked Laurel up to take her to meet his Aunt Ginny and Uncle Jimbo. He had called his Aunt Ginny a couple days before and asked if he could stop by on Sunday so they could meet Laurel.

"Clyde Logan, you're bringing a woman for us to meet? That sounds serious," Aunt Ginny had said with a smile in her voice. "I hope she's nothing like that last girlfriend of yours. What was her name? Bethany?"

"You know darn well what her name was, Aunt Ginny. And Laurel isn't anything like her. I think you're going to like her."

"Clyde, we'd be happy to meet Laurel. You been dating her long?"

"Well, that's the thing. I met her about a month ago. I know that sounds crazy but there's something about her. It just, uh, it just seems right."

"Bring her on up on Sunday. Plan to have Sunday dinner with us. We'll be looking forward to both of you."

Ginny hung up the phone and looked over at Jimbo. "Did you hear that? Clyde's bringing a girl up to meet us."

"That sounds serious, don't it?"

"It does. I sure hope she's a good one."

They pulled into the driveway to Clyde's aunt and uncle's house. It was a two story white farmhouse with a small red barn in the back. Everything was tidy and neat.

Clyde turned towards Laurel. "Uncle Jimbo is my father's brother. He and Aunt Ginny have the big family get togethers picnics during the summer. I got a bunch of cousins. Next month there'll be a Fourth of July picnic out here." Clyde looked at Laurel with a grin. "Be prepared to meet my cousins then. They can be a wild bunch."

"I'm looking forward to it. I can get them to tell me stories about all the hell raising you did."

"They're all liars, you can't believe them."

Laurel laughed softly. "I'm a little nervous, Clyde."

"Don't be, my aunt and uncle are good people. You'll see. You ready?"

Ginny opened the door before Clyde could knock. "Clyde Logan, get in this house. Give me a hug, you scoundrel." Clyde hugged her.

Ginny let go of Clyde and said to Laurel, "Come on in, honey."

Laurel stepped inside the old farm house. She saw an older man standing behind Ginny who was giving Clyde a one armed hug.

Clyde straightened up and came to stand beside Laurel. "Aunt Ginny, Uncle Jimbo, this is Laurel Williams. Laurel, my Aunt Ginny and Uncle Jimbo."

"It's very nice to meet you, Mr and Mrs Logan. Thank you for inviting me."

"Nice to meet you, too, Laurel. We're pleased to have you both over. I want to meet the woman who can get my nephew to come visit more."

"Aunt Ginny, I come when I can. That bar keeps me real busy."

"That bar. Enough said about it. Laurel, you like that bar?"

"Um, I, ah, I do. I go up to see Clyde there. It's nice."

"Ginny, just stop, you're putting the girl on the spot. You think she's going to say she doesn't like Clyde's business? And she's wondering what the right answer is to give you. Stop about the bar," Jimbo said. "Ya'll come in, have a seat in the living room." He grinned at Laurel as he ushered them deeper into the house.

Clyde, walking close behind her, said, "Aunt Ginny doesn't  approve of bars. She thinks Duck Tape is a sinful place."

"It's a bone of contention between us, isn't it, Clyde?" Ginny said cheerfully. She patted his arm affectionately.