The Hidden Path (WINNER OF THE BEAUTY AWARD for Spiritual)

Meeting The Parents

Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.
- Soren Kierkegaard

"You know, it's official: you are a bad influence!" I taunted Beni, who had dropped by the next evening.

I had told him on the phone that there was something important I wanted to tell him about the incident on All Saints' Day, but had refused to divulge any more information. Unless he came to see me in person. Not to be a nuisance, but because I didn't want to risk being overheard by any parental figures. On his end or mine.

That is why I was not particularly surprised, when he graced our doorstep in the evening of the following day. His curiosity had probably plagued him the whole day. (Hee, hee. . .)

Which, being a boy, he would never admit to, of course!

Mum had not objected to us being alone together in my room, so that's where we had gone.

"I am not!" he protested in mock-outrage, but he did look a bit sheepish at the same time. . .

"The police said you are and they should know. Being men of the law and all." I sniggered.

We were both sitting cross-legged on my bed, facing each other and enjoying the easy banter between us.

"You've never told me they already had a whole file on you!" I added, grinning.

"What can I say, I am a wanted man!" He smirked.

"Man? Pfft! You are still just a boy to me!" I teased.

"So, that's what you think of me?" His eyes sparkling with mischievous intent, he lowered his hands on the bed, crawling closer to me on all fours.

"Which reminds me. . ." I interrupted his playful mood, ". . .no sex before my sixteenth birthday!"

Beni sat back down on his haunches, a bit taken aback. "What? . . .Why?"

"Because Mum slept with a guy for the first time when she was sixteen. I asked her. And I feel that if I wait until I am of that age as well, I have the right to do what I want. She will not be in a position to complain at that time, because I will just have followed in her footsteps."

"But your birthday is in April, that's still five months from now!" Beni whined.

"Yeah, well. . . tough luck!"

He looked at me intently, probably trying to figure out if I was joking, or not.

I was not.

"All right," he finally conceded, "but that does not mean we can't play a bit. . ." And just like that, the smirk was back.

"Oh, by the way. . ." his facial expression unexpectedly morphed from teasing to serious. "My parents would like to meet you. They have invited you to have lunch with us on Sunday."

"Really?" This invitation took me completely by surprise. I obviously knew he had parents, but somehow it had never occurred to me that I would actually meet them one day.

"Hm. . . well, why not?" I decided, "but I shall have to ask Mum first."

"Could you ask her now?" He suggested, laying back and stretching his long limbs to get comfortable on my bed.

"You don't want to come with me?" I asked, pleading. Somehow, this situation just screamed awkward. I never liked having to ask for permission and the subject of my boyfriend was still a touchy one. . .

"Nah, you handle your parents better on your own. I shall be waiting here for you, enjoying Deep Purple." Of course, he would recognize the music that was playing. Beni linked his hands behind his neck, making a big show of relaxing.