A Little Big Crush

Meeting the Parents

Two months later,  as Lizzie rummaged through her closet to get ready to meet David's parents at their favorite italian restaurant, Caravaggio, she remembered her long- ago conversation with her friend.

This was the only time that Lizzie ever tried on dress after dress in her bedroom, stressing out over what would be the best and most appropriate outfit for meeting David's yuppie parents in one of the most luxurious restaurants in the UES. It wasn't that she had nothing fancy. It was that based on David's descriptions of his parents, it seemed that they were impressed with a conservative dressing girl. And out of her many dresses, she seemed to find something wrong with each one.

The length of the red Balenciaga dress was too short.  The leopard print style of a Roberto Cavalli dress this season was too trendy. A sleeveless cotton dress from Prada with a sash in white and black tie-dye in the bottom was better, but maybe too hippie-like with the print.

"Ugh," Lizzie sighed in frustration. She must have flipped through her closet for two minutes before coming across one of her favorites- a little black dress from Chanel. Everything on top was covered up and the dress reached to her knees while still remaining fitted and cute. Perfect. Sometimes, classics are the best. Especially when you're meeting the parents.

It was an excellent choice because the minute David's parents saw her, their eyes lit up. She was nervous that by the time she walked over to the restaurant from her apartment- which was only about two minutes walking distance, she would be sweating bullets due to the intense summer heat. But from the approving glances from David's parents, she knew she had nothing to worry about. His mother looked extremely elegant with a long, but simple black dress with see- through long sleeves, gold jewelry and studded pearl earrings. David resembles her with her gentle smile and same icy, clear blue eyes. was of average height, with shoulder length brown hair.

"Lizzie, May I present to you my mom, Ruthie," David said,  wrapping his arm around his mother. She patted his hand and smiled at him lovingly.

Lizzie's heart melted. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Gutierrez."  She extended her hand in greeting and winced.

Damn, she forgot that David's mother was remarried, so her last name would be completely different. She didn't think David ever told her what his mother's last name was and she definitely didn't ask. But instead of being offended, his mother enveloped her in a hug instead.

"Nice to meet you as well. Please, call me Ruthie." She let go of her and eyed her from head to toe. "I'm so happy to finally meet the wonderful Lizzie that my son has been talking about almost every day. It is a love match for him."

"Mom," David protested, exasperated. His eyes were as round as saucers as he mouthed I'm sorry to Lizzie.

This new revelation made Lizzie's heart flutter. David talked about her to his mother all the time? She could tell during their dates that he liked her, but that he would actually let his mother in on his love life? She didn't know for sure if he was very close to his mother but still... for a man to let his parents in on a girl he was dating spoke a lot. Even though they never broached the subject of their true feelings for each other and if it was deeper than just liking her, it gave Lizzie hope and allowed her to confirm what she was feeling- she really liked David. If she wasn't already, she was definitely on her way to falling in love with him.

"It's okay," Lizzie said, smirking. "I talk about him a lot with my parents as well."

David flashed her a quizzical look and mouth really?

So cute, Lizzie thought. She didn't respond, but just smiled back.

His stepfather, who was watching this entire exchange with curiosity, cleared his throat.

David shook his head as if shaking himself from a daze and said ," Lizzie, may I introduce my step-father, Robert?"

Robert and Lizzie both extended their arms for a handshake at the same time. She matched his strong grip with her own. "It is a pleasure to meet you," Robert said.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too," she replied.

"Should we go in and sit?" David asked, leading the small party inside the restaurant. "I called ahead of time to make sure they have the usual table ready for us."

As the party of four took their seats at a secluded section at the back of the restaurant,  Ruth said,
" Lizzie- I heard you are a writer?"

"Yes. I started off writing for The New York Times, but now I've written a couple of mystery novels," she said as she placed her napkin on her lap.

"Lizzie is being too modest, " David said, "She's a New York Times bestselling author."

"Wow, so you are more than very good with words, but a superstar," Ruthie clapped her hands with delight. "What's the name of some of the books so I can read them?"

" The Man in Red, Train 242, and Agent Green."

"Interesting. I'll be sure to read all of those books."

"David said you graduated college?" Robert asked.

She nodded. "Yes, I double majored in English and journalism at NYU."

"Good, good. So much better than the last girlfriend," Robert muttered.

Before Lizzie could respond or David could chastise, Robert raised his two fingers and a waiter immediately walked over to their table.

"Can I start everyone off with drinks?" he asked, smiling at all the occupants at the table.

"Yes," Robert said, "We'll have a bottle of your best wine... preferably red." Robert quickly glanced at Lizzie. " Do you drink red wine?" he asked her.

"Yes."

The waiter nodded and headed off to the kitchens.

"So," Ruth cleared her throat and grinned nervously, obviously eager to change the subject from the awkward gaffe made by her husband. "How did you two meet?"

"Mom, I told you already," David said.

"I know, I know, but I'd like to hear it from Lizzie."

"Well, we met through a dating app."

"You mean, through the computer?" Robert asked skeptically.

"Yes, your stepson was one of the few good ones I talked to. We hit it off right away and after meeting, our relationship just grew from there." Lizzie turned to looked deeply into David's eyes at that point.

Underneath the table, he reached his hand to touch hers, and lifted it up to place a light kiss. If Lizzie was a shy and awkward girl, she would be heavily embarrassed. But what was there to be ashamed about? She had the adoration of a wonderful man and from what she could tell from this first meeting, she had the approval of his parents. This was a girl's biggest dream come true. Almost perfect.

So she felt no embarrassment in placing her head on his shoulder briefly in acknowledgement of their blossoming relationship.

" How wonderful, "Ruth gushed. " Lizzie, you must come to our home sometime and I'll cook for you my famous risotto...with a cuban spin of course."

Lizzie smiled, a feeling of pure elation coursing through her at this warm welcome and approval. "I'd love to."