Blast From The Past

Meeting The Fam

I wake up alone in Joey's bed which feels huge when it's just me laying here. Quickly, I grab his bathrobe off the back of the door, nip into the bathroom and then make my way downstairs to where I can hear Joey and Nikki talking. It makes me feel happy that they're getting along really well. The waft of hot pancakes hits my nostrils as I get closer to the kitchen. I think I make them jump when they hear me pulling up on the dining chair.
'Morning Katee!' Nikki tells me how comfy her bed is as I glance over at Joey, admiring his bedhead look. I ask what the plans are for today.
'I've spoken to my parents and they have invited us over for dinner today if you would like to meet them?' Despite feeling a little apprehensive about what they will think of me, I'm excited to meet them. 'Of course, I'd love that. Where about are we meeting them?' Grinning, 'in Jamaica Plains. That's where we're from so we will be going to my old house. You coming too Nikki, they said you're more than welcome to join us?' She shrugs her shoulders, too busy looking at her phone. 'I think I might just have a wander around and chill out here, if you don't mind me staying here alone.'
A few hours later, I'm in Joey's car and we're on our way to his parents home. Despite being excited at meeting his family, I'm feeling really nervous and I hope they like me. 'Katee, hey baby, don't worry, I'm sure they will adore you just like I do.' He gently squeezes my hand while we're stopped at traffic lights. Thankfully it doesn't take us too long to get there and before I get to open my door, Joey is opening it for me. 'Aw thank you, very gentlemanly of you!' He reaches out for my hand and leads us to his family home, knocking as he opens the door. We're soon greeted by a woman who oozes warmth and love, I learn that this is Joey's mom; Katherine. She welcomes me into her home and calls for Thomas as 'Joseph is here with his beautiful guest.' After she hugs me, I come face to face with Mr McIntyre and I can feel myself relaxing in their presence. Mrs McIntyre heads through the door which I presume leads to the kitchen and Mr McIntyre takes us into the sitting room, I follow Joey to the sofa in the corner of the room. I glance around, taking in the decor and all the family photos. Thomas asks Joey about how he is and what's been happening, and I sit quietly, listening to them. It's endearing to hear them talk so lovingly and honestly, I'm not used to this with this after my own family complications. Katherine appears with a tray of drinks and homemade cookies. They smell like they've just come out of the oven... so tempting!! She gestures for us all to help ourselves.

So that is what we do. Just as I'm sitting back down on the sofa, another voice is heard coming from the front door. "Hey sis! We're in here." Joe calls out. I look towards the door and a smiling face appears. She greets Mr and Mrs McIntyre, before she gets to Joe and myself. They exchange hugs and she opens her arms out to wrap around me so I stand up. Joe introduces us to one another and I find out this is Carol. She perches herself on the edge of the sofa next to Joe. I sit quietly while they catch up with one another. It feels nice to be surrounded by a family that is full of love and warmth. Conversation flows do easily with the McIntyre's. I'm surprised to see how much time has passed.

I politely excuse myself to go to the bathroom. I suddenly lose my way as there's a lot of doors and I have forgotten which one leads to where. Joey appears. "I've got lost!" He chuckles. "I thought you might be. I'll take you. But if you're not desperate, I'd like to show you something first, if that's okay babe?" He asks me. I nod. He takes my hand inside of his own and leads me up the shakes. These houses are a lot bigger than what I'm used to, but they're definitely beautifully built. Joe pushes open a door and lets go of my hand before pointing for me to step into the room. I slowly gaze out in front of me. There's teenage posters on the wall. I walk closer to one in particular. It's Madonna. I turn to look at Joey. "This was my room." His cheeks blush slightly. The room is a typical teenage boy's room but it's sweet. I sit down on the edge of the bed. Joe sits next to me. "Is it weird that I can just imagine a younger you in here, but what kind of things did you get up to in here?" I notice a framed photo of Joey with some other person. "Apart from what young lads got up to, ya mean K?!?" I laugh and realise what a silly question to ask him. He leans in to kiss me and I place my arms around him. "I should show you the bathroom before we get too carried away."

I'm in the bathroom, reapplying my lipstick and I smile at my reflection. I do my business and then make my way downstairs towards where Joey and everyone else is hanging out in. As I'm walking the stairs, I can hear them talking. It sounds like they're talking about me so I pause for a second. Then I carry on walking. I'm greeted by laughter and smiles when I walk into the sitting room. I focus on Joey though. His mums asks us what our plans are for the rest of our trip. Joey informs her that we'll be relaxing tonight, then meeting the band tomorrow followed by a night out in the evening. Carol asks me about my family. "I have a brother and two sisters but I haven't seen them in a long time due to living quite a distance from them. My family is complicated. I can't believe there's so many of you all, are you all close?" Then they fill me in on all of the siblings which I lose track of as there's so many of them. Katherine shows me an old family photo and I spot Joey first. He looks so tiny and cute. Definitely had a cheeky look about him though!

My phone vibrates in my pocket, I know it will be Nikki wondering how much longer we will be out for. Joe stands up first to say goodbye to his parents and sister, and they each reach out to me for a hug. Mrs McIntyre thanks me for coming along with Joey and how happy she is at meeting me. Then a few moments later, we climb into Joe's car. I slide my phone out of my pocket and just as I'm about to speak, my stomach rumbles. "Want to head to a favourite takeaway of mine on the way back home?" He asks me. Nikki tells me to get everything for her as she's starving.
As soon as we're walking through the front door, we're greeted by Nikki who grabs hold of the takeaway bags from Joey.

As Joey heads to the bathroom, Nikki asks me how was it to meet his parents. "They were so lovely and welcoming. I also got to meet one of his sisters, Carol. I wish my family was more like his. I know it's probably quite quick but I feel like Joe could be the one." She hugs me and tells me that who needs my family when I have my own made family. She's right, my friends are my family. What more could I want and when I now have Joey by my side, I'm so lucky.