When the Past Becomes the Future

Meeting the Quinns

Both of Brian's parents stared in horror and were silent for an all too awkward amount of time. He figured he needed to give his parents time to process so Brian made his way back into his kitchen.

After a few moments Brian was joined by his mom and dad. "Tell me this is a joke Brian, please!" Carol Quinn cried out.

"You really think I would joke about this Ma?" Brian snapped.

Jim Quinn stood at the counter glaring at his middle son, "Watch your tone, that's your mother." He growled. He was furious at his son for keeping this secret from them. "So you knocked some girl up and didn't care to tell us?!"

"Hold on!" Brian interrupted.

"How old is he? What's his name? Why weren't we a part of his life?" Carol kept asking question after question.

Brian was staring to realize that his parents were getting the wrong idea. They thought Brian had known all along. "Can I speak?!" He yelled over them. When his parents quieted down he took a deep breath. "He's name is Levi and he's 4 years old. And in two days it will be exactly one week that I found out this kid even existed. So if I hid anything from you both it was only because I was trying to get to you in person to tell you." Brian then went on to explain seeing him at the library while he was working.

"Who's his mother?" Carol asked her son.

"Do you remember that summer I was seeing this girl Juliette?" Brian replied.

"Of course we remember her." She answered smiling fondly recalling the young girl that had stolen her son's heart that summer.

July 2010:

"Hello?" Carol answered picking up the phone. "Oh hi honey, please don't tell me you're cancelling." Carol said right away nervous that her middle son may have gotten called into work. She was so excited to have her whole family together for a Fourth of July barbecue. Especially since after the summer they would be putting their house on the market and moving to Pennsylvania when Jim retired in the fall.

Carol listened to her son on the other end of the phone, "Well sure..." she answered a little shocked, "Of course you can bring someone with you. Ok, see you soon. Love you."

When she hung up she made her way out on the deck where her husband was cleaning up the patio furniture. "Brian called." She told him.

Jim rolled his eyes, "Let me guess, he's not coming."

"No no!" Carol answered, "He just wanted to know if it would be okay if he brought a guest."

"Probably Sal." Jim said.

"I don't think so, by the sound of his voice, I think it may be a woman." She smiled.

Jim smirked, "You seem happy about that."

"Well it's been a long time since he's brought anyone home." She responded before walking away to check on all the food in the kitchen.

Few hours later and Carol was in love with this girl for her son. She was respectful and had the sweetest personality. However she was still good at giving Brian the business when he needed it. Carol had always said for years that her middle son would need a strong girl in his life.

As she looks on she noticed Juliette talking to Jenny, her daughter in law. As the two younger women were laughing about something, Brian came up from behind her handing her a drink. Carol watched as Juliette accepted the drink and gave Brian a small kiss on the check and continued her conversation with Jenn. Brian wrapped his arm around his girlfriend and joined the conversation looking more content than he had ever looked before.