The Love of Jury Duty

They Don't Like Me

"Alright is everybody ready?"

I smiled getting back in the truck after helping Lilly get back in. Abby slept quietly in her seat. She hadn't moved for a few hours, but Jake needed a pit stop and Lilly went with him so I could stay with the baby.

I was nervous, anxious and excited for them to make this trip. Neither had been to Bend, OR let alone stayed in a fully functional condo suite. I knew Lilly was afraid. She did a good job of hiding it, but every now and then I'd catch a glimpse of her and I knew she was thinking about it. She wanted to impress my family. But most of all she wanted them to like her. It's so hard not to, but my family may not see her the way I hoped they would. In the end I didn't want either of them to be hurt or feel unwelcome or unwanted.

"I think we're ready now."

Lilly smiled cuddling next to me in the middle seat. She looked beautiful today. She looked beautiful every day, but today seemed to stand out more than usual. I pulled my truck out of the rest stop and headed over the pass into Oregon. It was going to take roughly four and a half hours to get where we were going.

"Mommy? Are we going to the H place?"

"H place?" I mumbled to her confused

"No, Jake. Remember? I told you we're going to a really nice condo Resort type place."

He frowned and started to cry. I was so confused and had no idea why he was crying.

"What's going on? He's crying."

I whispered to Lilly. She looked in the back seat and half smiled.

"Why are you crying?"

"But I told you I want to stay at the H place because they have Fruit Loops."

Lilly chuckled and sighed

"Jake, don't cry. It's OK. Nick and I can buy you some Fruit Loops. Does that sound ok?"

"Yeah." He muttered

"What's happening? I'm lost?"

"When Kevin and I would take him on trips we always stayed at Holiday Inn Express. Their logo looks like a big H in a green square. So he calls it the H place. Anyway they serve a free breakfast and his favorite thing is a cup of orange juice and a bowl of Fruit Loops with no milk."

"Ohhh I get it now." I half smiled watching him in the rear view mirror. "It's alright buddy. I know how you feel. But when we get there and get settled we'll find a grocery store and buy all of our favorite stuff. Including Fruit Loops. Sound good?"

"Can I have en-e-nems?" He smiled

"Yeah if mom says it's ok."

He smiled and seemed satisfied with our answers. The scenery was so beautiful here blanketed with white, powdery snow. I leaned forward and turned the heater up a little more and smiled as Lilly snuggled up closer to me.

"Nice and warm?" I smiled

"Yes. Nick?"

"Hmmm" I smiled taking our exit

"I love you."

"I love you Lilly."

"Will you still love me even if your family doesn't?"

"Of course I will Lilly. Nothing about how I feel will change."

She grinned and sat up and kissed my cheek. I laughed and wrapped my arm around her squeezing her tight. She was very nervous about this trip. I couldn't blame her because I was nervous too.