Route 66

7 Meet The Parents

We pulled up into my driveway and somehow was expecting things to look different just because Blake was with me, but nothing had changed. The moment I got out of the truck, the door flung open as Mom ran out to greet us.

"Welcome to our home, Blake, I've heard so much about you!" she said with excitement.

"It's good to finally meet you, Mrs. Morris," Blake said warmly.

Dad turned to Blake and shook his hand with an iron grip and then we then proceeded to put our luggage away, Blake's to the basement where he would sleep on a hideaway, and mine to the room I've called my own for eighteen years; untouched since Thanksgiving break.

The Christmas tree in the living room was decorated the same as always with tinsel, ornaments, multi-colored lights, and a bright star on top. The only difference was this year it went up without my help.

It was getting late so we all turned in and I took comfort from sleeping in my own bed again, a feeling of security that's hard to come by anywhere else.

After what seemed like only moments, I woke and slipped on a skirt and sweater. Mom was already in the kitchen making breakfast so I pitched in like old times.

We whipped up one of my favorites - pancakes with the extra large blueberries, buttery scrambled eggs and sizzling thick bacon.

"Mmmm..boy does it ever smell good in here," Blake exclaimed as he jaunted up in khaki slacks and a plaid flannel shirt.

"We make the best pancakes in town," I said with a flirty wink. "Did you sleep well?"

"Like a baby."

I ran over, gave him a nudge, and said with cheerful excitement, "It's Christmas Eve!"

Dad sauntered in, took a deep breath, and exclaimed, "Beautiful day isn't it?"

After breakfast, Blake and I drove around Winona as I pointed out landmarks that were familiar to me and gleefully shared silly stories about Annette, Paul and a host of other friends.

As afternoon turned into evening we headed home for supper and then went caroling to spread the cheer of the season as was a custom for us every year.

On Christmas morning, I eagerly joined Mom in the kitchen as we prepared a festive feast of glazed ham, fluffy mashed potatoes, savory gravy, warm rolls, sweet apple pie, and buttery Christmas shortbread cookies; filling our home with the delightful aromas of cinnamon, fresh bread, and perfectly baked ham.

"Okay boys, dinner's ready!" Mom said with a beaming smile.

We all remained standing and bowed our heads in prayer as Dad said grace.

"Dear Lord, we are grateful for these young people, Veronica and Blake. Thank you for granting them a safe journey to our home. Guide them through the greater journey of life and grant them wisdom and discernment. Bless this food to our bodies. Amen."

We relished the feast and patted our stomachs in contentment as a light snow started to fall.

Dad wiped his mouth and said, "There's something I've been meaning to talk to both of you about so I might as well bring it up now. When you're young and in love sometimes it's hard to see the big picture. I've been there myself."

What I'm trying to say is wait for marriage until you complete your education, and Blake, find a job that you love. I know three years seems like a long ways off but if you think of it in terms of your whole life, it's right around the corner.

You don't want to get into a situation where you're raising children and completing your education at the same time. That goes double for you young lady," he said with a stern smile.

We both nodded in solemn agreement.

After we cleaned up my parents took a nap while Blake and I took a walk hand in hand. We didn't even have to say anything to enjoy each other's company. Sometimes words unspoken can be the most intimate.

The rest of the week flew by quickly. One evening Annette and Paul came over and joined us.

"We used to spend a lot of time here," Annette said as she looked off in the distance, reminiscing.

"Right...beating Veronica at board games," Paul said with a snicker.

"That's not the way I remember it," I teased.

"Come on you two," Annette said as she rolled her eyes. "It was 50/50."

"What's your major, Paul?" Blake inquired.

"It's a tossup between physics, biology, chemistry or math. I don't know if I can choose. They're all fascinating. Maybe I'll double major."

"Well then, maybe I'll see you in a couple physics classes," Blake said.

"A man who's smart AND athletic? What a dream, Veronica. You're sooo lucky!" Annette said with a nudge.

"Are you going to be a big football star and make scads of money?" she asked Blake.

"I gotta be honest with myself, the chances of that aren't great so I'll stick with civil engineering."

"It doesn't hurt to dream sweetie," I said with a loving gaze.

Blake grinned and said, "Maybe first I should concentrate on getting to first string and winning a few games."

"How about you?" Paul asked me.

"What?"

"Well, you could be a concert pianist."

"Oh, I don't know, think I'd be more interested in starting a family," I blurted and blushed to a beet red hue as Annette giggled.

"One of these days I want to hear you play. Everyone says you're so talented," Blake said with encouragement.

Annette motioned to the piano and said, "Come on Veronica, play Fantasie Impromptu for your man."

"Well, okay," I said, strutting over to the keyboard. "Keep in mind now that I haven't played for months."

I positioned myself on the bench and looked outside. The landscape was covered in a blanket of snow and the trees made a silhouette against the twilight sky. I glanced at Blake, flashed him a sweet smile, then turned my focus to the keys and straightened up.

My mind went to a place where there was a sense of urgency, fury, and pathos. I lifted my fingers gracefully into the air and then struck the keys with inflamed passion, running them up and down the keyboard with surgical precision. When I came to the slower, romantic passages of the piece I closed my eyes with a raised head towards the heavens; lips parted slightly as deep breaths sustained my energy, oxygen flowing through arms and fingers to balance the nuances perfectly. As the final keystroke faded, I blinked, feeling like I had just emerged from a trance.

I whisked around and curtsied to wild clapping from Annette and Paul. Blake appeared awestruck for a moment and then raised his hands and began clapping as well.

The break invariably came to an end. Dad sent us off with advice and Mom with cookies and ham. As Blake drove us back to the big city I dozed off into a peaceful slumber with a content smile on my face. Everything was absolutely perfect.