Just a thought in Time: contest book

Meeting the Family

"Are you sure that you want to do this Tyler?" Fay said as she adjusted his tie.

"Of course." He said reassuringly.

"It is not too late to back out." She smiled at him before turning away.

"Fay, I am committed to this. To us. You are not getting rid of me so easily." He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, watching her face in the mirror. She chewed her bottom lip like she did every time she was anxious about something. "What's the matter?"

"I just hope they think you are as perfect as I  think you are." She turned around and looked into his sage green eyes.

"I will do my very best." Tyler flashed her a quick grin, "You ready? I don't wanna be late for meeting your family."

Tyler opened the car door; Fay stepped out, her sheer black skirt flapped in the breeze. They stood, holding hands, on the sidewalk admiring the decorations: little cheesecloth ghosts in the trees, and realistic skeletons hanging in a noose. "They love Halloween."

"What do they do again?" Tyler asked, Fay could feel how nervous he was by the tight grip he had on her fingers.

"Herbal remedies, oils, those kinds of things." She said quickly as she opened the door, the little doormat screamed at them as they stepped inside. "I'm here! I brought Tyler!" she called out. The two of them stood in the foyer, waiting. 

Soon several men and women stepped out of the kitchen, Tyler took a chance to observe them. They all had the same button nose that Fay had, their hair a myriad of colors, but all of them had the striking cognac brown eyes, the same shade of alcohol that his father drank himself to death with. Finally, "Oh Fay! He is just darling! Come, sit! It's almost ready."

Fay pulled him into the dining room, the table was set with candles and little gourds. "So, Tyler, Fay tells us that you have no family?" an elderly woman said as she sat across from him.

"Uh, yeah, I currently couch surf with some of my football buddies, just until the school year is over."

"I see. Well that is terrible! Your grandparents couldn't take you in?" she asked.

Tyler shook his head, "No, they live in California. I wanted to finish my year here, and spend time with Fay." He flashed a smile, "So what's cooking? Smells good." he took a sip of the cider set before him. Fay watched him anxiously.

"Dead man toes." a man down the way chirped. "They are a favorite in this household."

Tyler coughed, unsure if he heard the man correctly. He was going to say something but his throat was on fire. He felt lightheaded and was losing feeling in his hands. "Fay?" he croaked.

"Tyler? Are you alright?" He could hear her muffled voice.

"Fay, he was just so perfect. Good job. We will have enough for the year, maybe more!" the old woman cackled as Tyler's head smacked against the table, foam spilling out of his mouth.