The Exchange

Chapter 48

"Damn Lou, you look nice." I say, noticing his light blue dress shirt and snow white tie as I enter the kitchen. I wonder why he hasn't left to go to an Easter celebration yet, like everyone else has.

"Thanks." He chuckles from behind his computer screen where he is probably youtubing or tweeting. It's the same with everyone. "Why aren't you dressed?"

"Dressed for what? I'm not going anywhere." I remark. Since this morning I've changed out of my church dress and back into comfy sweats.

"Yeah you are." He says with a grin.

"No I'm not." I reply crossing my legs in my sweats under the table, "I don't have anywhere to go."

"Yeah, I'm taking you with me, remember?" Louis says slowly. His grin turns into a full smile from ear to ear across his face.

"No." I reply just as slowly. I can't recall agreeing to anything of the sort.

"Oh yes, that's right. I left it a surprise." He closes his computer screen just slightly and I see straight through his evil looking eyes.

"What are you talking about?" I laugh picking a fluff off my sweater.

"You're not staying alone on Easter. This is a day for family."

"My family is in Canada." I counter.

"Loved ones then."

"I don't know your family. Besides, I'm perfectly happy to stay home."

"Well, you'll meet my family. We're supposed to spend Easter with loved ones and you belong in that category."

"Louis don't be so stubborn." I exhale and lean my head in my hand on the table.

"You're being the stubborn one." Louis replies and closing his laptop fully, "so we'll leave in 15?"

"Louis," I whine.

"Mira," he mimics back.

"But Louis you know I don't have any place going to your family."

"Why not? I've told them all about you."

I don't know what shocks me more. Is it that he really wants me to go with him, or that he's been talking about me?

"15 minutes and I'm not leaving without you." Louis states superiorly. I don't know why he's being so insisting. I look at him challengingly but he only stares back, into my own eyes.

Ten minute pass and Louis make it clear that he's being serious. As much as I don't want to I sigh in defeat.

"You're really not going to see your family?"

"Not without you."

"Ugh, fine." I say getting up in defeat, "I guess I have to change." I am not about to be the reason Louis misses his Easter meal.

I fold my sweats, which I've only been in for an hour or so, and pull on the dress I wore to church this morning. I bright orangey/red with a belt at the waist and flared skirt. I remove my white flats from the closet and grab my over-the-shoulder black purse on my way out. Louis is still waiting in the kitchen when I'm ready.

"How does this look?" I call from the entrance. He turns his head to see me.

"Perfect." He closes his laptop and saunters over to me, extending his hand.

"Shall we?"

"I suppose."

Louis opens the passenger door for me and I slide in. What did I just get into?

Louis holds my hand and drives with the other to the restaurant. Apparently his parents loved this place the first time they came to London and it's become a tradition for all of them to drive down and book the whole place for their entire family.

"Louis!"

"Mommy." Louis giggles, hugging a pretty woman with brown hair in a flowy floral top and black pants. They embrace and he pulls me over. He rests his arm around my waist.

"This is Mira." he says introducing us.

"So this is Mira?" She says with a sly grin.

"It's very nice to meet you." I choke out still studying his expression. What has he said about me?

We march up to the front door of the restaurant. The inside is dim and I realize I didn't catch the name outside. People are standing around the room, greeting and embracing. Naturally, Louis guides me around the room for brief introductions. I'm surprise at the amount of people who react similarly to Lou's mother.

"Nan, this is Mira." Louis says introducing me to an elderly woman with pure white hair, seated in a chair. She's small and cute and I find myself instantly liking Louis grandmother.

"It's nice to meet you ma'am."

"You too darling." he replies looking over at Louis, "American?"

"Canadian." Louis corrects.

"Oh really? What part?" She looks at me with widened eyes totally interested. I tell her about my little home town of Ottawa and she takes interest, telling me about her trip to the maritimes when she was, "young and spirited." I find great interest in her stories and I don't realize when Louis has left to talk to some of his cousins. Talking with Louis grandmother reminds me of when I used to sit with my grandmother. It feels good to hear the way someone talks about the past long before me. It just occurs to me now how my grandmother used to tell everyone about my interest in 'what's never coming back.' I end up sitting next to Mrs. Tomlinson and people drift in and out of our conversation until we're made to sit down for the meal.

***

"So Nan really likes you." Louis announces during our drive back.

"Oh Louis, your grandmother is so sweet!" I reply, thinking of our talk in the beginning.

"Well, she thinks the same of you. So does everyone else." He says quietly.

"Your family is great." I say, looking at him. He offers me a smile and we drive the rest of the way in a comfortable silence. Still savouring the day. I can't get over the fact that I met his family, and it was a wonderful time.