Keepsake

Chapter 5

Alysia Evers

Class started with a few words exchanged between Sarah, Joanne, and I while waiting for our teacher to show up. Ms. Shannon was late all of a sudden and there was no word of when she'd show up. The whole class had time to talk and throw balled up papers at each other across the room.

Shockingly to us when she did show up, Ms. Shannon was reapplying makeup and lipstick. Everyone grew suspicious instantly. The guys all smiled because they could all guess why she was late. We ladies smiled because we knew that applying makeup without a proper mirror was nearly impossible. Doable, but difficult to get it just right.

Sarah was laughing low to herself with a hand over her mouth. Joanne reached into her purse, took out a compact and got Ms. Shannon's attention. Joanne handed her the compact and we all stared while waiting for today's assignment. We stayed quiet while giving each other looks around the room. Ms. Shannon hurried to finish her makeup before beginning class.

It was finally at break that my day really got started. Marcus was already at his seat with Mike, Danny, and Toby when my friends and I arrived. Linda and Mike had sat next to each other a few days in a row and now it was starting to look like they liked each other. It still wasn't official yet. But there was talk among our group about them.

"I've got news," Marcus said after giving me a sweet kiss. "My parents would like to invite you and your parents to come over. They insist on a formal introduction between sides. Point blank, they want to do a barbecue. I'm still not sure who else they're going to invite."

I took a breath to give myself time to think it over. The weather was already burning up. A barbecue would make it super heated. I was really missing some snow right about now. "A barbecue? Yeah, I guess we can do that."

"You don't seem too happy about it," Marcus said.

"I am. It's just unexpected, that's all."

"Well, talk to Lawrence and Pamela to see if they'll be up for it. Better yet, have your parents call me on my cell and I'll connect them to my parents."

"What's with the sudden interest?" I ask.

His face appeared to be thinking the answer over. "I don't know. I think they're just being nice and want to appear to be as formal as possible. Me having dinner with your family may have had something to do with it."

I made a face. "Are your parents competitive?" I felt bad for asking.

"No," he said with effort. "They seem honest about it."

I thought it over and came to realize something. It wasn't obvious, but maybe Marcus had never brought a girl over to the family before. And now that he'd done so with me, his parents are showing a high interest in the topic. Maybe that wasn't it. I could be wrong.

In the next class, Marcus and I were able to stay together and I hoped I could get more info on the meeting of our parents. Honestly I hadn't ever done this before, so it bothered that I didn't know everything.

While Marcus was giving me a ride home at the end of the day, I brought up the subject again.

"What are your parents like?" I ask him.

"You've met them before," he said and kept his eyes on the road.

"I've met them, but never really got to know them."

Marcus laughed and his white smile still managed to sparkle in the low light. His slightly long fangs added to his attraction and had the appearance of miniature wolf fangs.

"You don't have to worry about anything, Alysia. Your parents will be there if you get uncomfortable, which you won't, and I'll be there if you really feel uncomfortable." Marcus' answer seemed very lightly spoken.

He parks and we say our byes that are once again filled with special looks and sweet words. I don't want to get out of the car and leave his sight. His every word he spoke was intoxicating to me. My heart was racing from the thought of him. I felt a little bit of shame when the spark of a sexual thought crept in.

When I got inside, dinner was in the refrigerator. I heated it up in the microwave and finished it quickly. Mom and dad were already in bed sleeping for the night. I'd get a short chance to pass the invitation to them in the morning before they headed out to work.

***

At dawn before my father made it out the door, I told him about the barbecue and he answered that he'd be up for it. Mom said the same thing. That alone made me a little more fearful of what could happen. I mean it all was bound to go well, but I was worrisome about how good it could go. Maybe I needed to face reality. Marcus and I were getting serious now. We were just starting to get serious and now our families were going to see us first hand.

When the weekend came, the time for the barbecue was at the door. I got dressed slowly making sure that everything was right. The clothes I wore and the makeup I put on were done with extra effort and time. It was sunny, so I kept with light colors.

My dad didn't really dress the part. I guess it was because he knew he would be near the grill with Michael most of the time. My mother was smart and dressed for the weather. I half expected Michael and Julia to invite a few other guests to be there. I wanted to ask Marcus if we could invite some of our own friends but felt that it wasn't the right occasion.

Once we arrive, I press the doorbell and wait. In a few seconds Michael answers the door. He greets us and we are brought through the house, entering the kitchen where I find Marcus. I give him a hug and a kiss as he welcomes me and my parents. Soon, we all go to the backyard where there are a few more people and the smoking grill. Everyone there is sitting under the tent at a table arrangement. Among them is Julia, Marcus' mother.

Michael led the introductions. There were more people than just Marcus, me, and our parents. Everyone was friendly and kind. The atmosphere had a sense of comfort as the conversations started going around.

We spent the afternoon eating and talking. Marcus' parents and mine were actually very busy telling stories about growing up and the old days. I found that the men stuck together and the women stuck together. It made sense. They discussed being French Canadian, but never visiting either France or Canada.

Through a window I could see that Marcus had gone back in the kitchen. He had announced that he was going for bags of ice. I left the group of ladies and went after him in a secret pursuit of our privacy. When I got there, he grabbed two bags from the freezer and set them down.

"Here, let me help," I said.

"It's okay," he said with a smile as if noticing my scheme. He picked them up with ease, then stopped and paused to look at me up and down. "You're looking awfully nice today," he mocked. "That wouldn't happen to be all for me, would it?"

I gave him a look. "It's not just for you. I'm trying to look respectful for your parents. Plus it's warm outside."

"You're overdoing it. They already like you." He leaned in close to me flashing his bright smile. I could feel the heat of his body and lips. With the bags of ice in his hands, his arm muscles and chest muscles were bulging from under his shirt. He leaned in closer and his eyes hypnotized me. Finally his lips were pressed against mine and I heard the bags of ice fall to the floor. Our lips were like sweltering heat in a desert. I realized then how desperate I was for him.

We stopped and took a breath.

"Yeah, but it's the first time that we're actually together like this so I want them to have a good impression," I said answering back his previous statement.

Marcus' eyes turned toward the window leading out to the backyard. I looked and saw my father and Michael talking near the grill. They were laughing and having a good time.

"Maybe I don't need to try so hard after all. My dad seems to be doing fine. Evers think alike," I said with a light tone.

Marcus grabs the ice bags and we sneak back to the group outside and rejoin the barbecue. My mother gives me a sparkling look that tells me she noticed I was missing from the party.