THE PAINT POT

THE PAINT POT Part 4

‭The table had a good view of the entrance, they got some coffee and watched for their folks. Liam and Kathryn Shaughnessy arrived first. Del waved at them and they walked over, Del and Carlene rose and greeted them. Del introduced them to Carlene, "Carlene meet my parents, Liam and Kathryn Shaughnessy. Mom, Dad, meet my Fiance, Carlene Adams." The three people shook hands and smiled. While they were standing, Carlene's parents walked in and Del introduced them all, "Carl and Letisha Adams meet my parents, Liam and Kathryn Shaughnessy." Carl asked, "Are you the head of the Main power station, Liam?" Liam smiled, "I thought your face was familiar, good to see you again, Carl, you and your team did a great job on our remodel and yard extension, we've got a lot less headaches now." The two men shook hands warmly. Letisha and Kathryn exchanged pleasantries. Everyone sat, the waiter took drink orders and passed out menus.

‭ Carlene smiled at Del, "This is going well, I love you sweetheart." Del rose, " I'm sorry we haven't give you much notice, this has caught Carlene and I with almost as much surprise as you. The wedding is two weeks from today, at the Union Baptist church, at two o'clock PM, Reverend Jackson officiating. There is a Potluck reception following in the Fellowship hall. I am taking Carlene to the Cerulean Lake Resort for our honeymoon week. I am picking up the tab for tonight so have fun and get acquainted, we're all friends here. Thank you."

‭The waiter came back with the drinks and everyone was in a jovial mood. Del gave his Fiance a quick kiss on the lips. Kathryn asked, "How did you get Del out of his shell? I wondered if he would ever get married." Carlene joked, "I had a flat tire and he fixed it for me. We had been stealing glances at each other at work for months. It all came together around a flat tire, and a tow truck." Letisha smiled, "Carl and I had been exchanging glances for weeks before we met." Kathryn said, "Liam was so shy, I had to practically announce myself before he would talk to me. It sounds like similar stories to me." Letisha and Kathryn got to talking about their love stories. Carl and Liam were sipping their coffee and swapping stories about Engineering problems. Del and Carlene held hands below the table and just stared lovingly at each other. The waiter came back and took the Dinner orders.

‭ Carlene showed the Mom's her engagement ring, they oohed and aahed over it. She shared their plans for the future with them. Del just sipped his coffee and enjoyed the family unity. Carl and Liam were talking about the best neighborhood to buy a home in. They advised Del to check out the homes in Bellwood Estates north of the city. There were some three bedroom starter homes there for good prices. Del punched up their website on his phone, he looked at the homes and liked what he saw. He passed the phone to Carlene, she looked at the floor plans, and smiled, "I like these, let's look at them." She passed the phone back to him. The waiter brought the steaming plates of food and set them beside each of them. Del fed his bride to be some of his Prime Rib and she fed him a bite of her Risotto. Carlene told her Mother, "We're always sharing our food. We love it."

‭ Carl stood and proposed a toast to Carlene and Del, "Here's to our kids, May they always be as happy as they are tonight. We love you and wish you the very best." The Parents stood and raised their glasses, wine glasses clinked merrily to the ringing endorsement. They all smiled at each other and sat back down. The excellent food and happy conversation marked a joyous truce in Carlene's struggle to marry Del. She and her man had won over her parent's, and his parents to her way of thinking, and now the couple were on the home stretch to being wed. The three couple's finished their main courses and lingered over dessert and coffee. Kathryn and Letisha shared funny stories of Carlene and Del in their youth. Laughter and smiles lined the table, and an evening of family unity and fun ended. Del gave the waiter his credit card and signed. The group retired to the cars and said goodnight. Carlene and Del hugged everyone goodnight and drove on home.