“Dang, meeting the parents. That's serious, Mays,” she said. My gut twisted at the mention of it. When I had brought up the fact that my parents would be coming up for the weekend, Jordan had immediately suggested that he join us for lunch. I tried not to sound as freaked by the whole thing as I actually was.
Jordan and I hadn't been dating that long and I felt it was a little soon to do the whole introduce the boyfriend to your folks thing. Plus I was dreading the reaction my conservative parents would have to my guy with his facial piercings and visible tattoo. But I didn't want to hurt Jordan's feelings, so I had reluctantly agreed.
Jordan seemed strangely excited about it. He had called late last night after his shift at Barton's to confirm the plans. I wanted to tell him to forget about it, but it was obviously important to him.
“I guess,” I hedged. The truth was it gave me a bit of whiplash at how serious Jordan and I were. We went from zero to joined at the hip in no time. I loved being with him. I loved how we could spend time together and it was so comfortable , as though we had always been together.
But...
“Stop stressing. Your parents will like him. You need to stop building things up unnecessarily in your head. You'll end up in the loony bin at this rate,” Riley told me, giving me a sharp look. Introducing Riley Walker, my good sense.
“You're right. Turning off my overactive mind now.” I tapped my head and gave her a smile. Riley snorted. She watched me continue my one woman whirling dervish as I flitted around the apartment, making it as clean as humanly possible.
Finally it was time for me to get showered and dressed. I chose a simple, knee length flowered skirt with a short sleeved pink shirt. Virginia was enjoying unseasonably warm weather; fall hadn't begun to move in. I loved it. I hated when I had to start cramming my feet into closed toed shoes and cover my legs with pants and leggings. I was a summer gal and I would live it up while I could.
I had just finished putting my hair back in a braid when the doorbell rang. Riley answered it before I could and I listened to my mom and dad's voices drift back from the living room. Riley must have said something amusing because I could hear my dad's rich laugh.
I walked down the hallway and saw my roommate and parents talking animatedly. My parents may be older but they still looked great. I got my long, dark hair from my mom. She wore hers down and it curled around her shoulders. Her face was only just starting to show signs of wrinkles, primarily around her eyes and her mouth.
My dad was a big dude. He towered over my mom's 5 foot 3 frame. He was clean shaven with a strong jaw and dark brown eyes. His thick, black hair was peppered with white and his mouth was smiling. I wasn't used to my dad looking happy. He was serious guy. Being a high school English teacher, his thought process often went right over my head. He had always had high expectations for me and I knew I often fell short of them.
“Hi Mom. Dad,” I said, joining the trio in the living room. My mom's face lit up when she saw me and immediately enveloped me in a warm, rose-scented hug. My dad gave me a small smile, nothing like the one he had been wearing seconds earlier. My mom pulled back and patted my cheek before my dad leaned in to pat my back.
No hug. Just a freaking pat on the back. What, was I a dog?
My mom looked around the apartment. “It looks so clean in here. I'm glad to see you guys aren't like other college students living in squalor,” she stated. I shared a look with Riley. If she only knew that on a normal day, our coffee table was covered in used glassware and empty pizza boxes. And our kitchen would have dirty dishes piled in the sink. We weren't complete slobs, just lazy about housekeeping.
“Thanks,” I said. My dad was looking around, and I knew he was trying to find something to criticize. I hated how inadequate that man made me feel.
“So what exactly did you spend all of your money on? Because I'm not seeing anything here that cost more than fifty bucks at a garage sale,” my dad asked coldly.
I tensed and my mom hissed out, “Dan!” Two minutes in and I was ready to cry. This was going to be a long day.
“Well, you know our Mays. Giving to the homeless and feeding stray animals.” Riley jumped in. “So, Mr. Ardin, how are those Gamecocks doing this year?” she asked, steering the conversation away from my spending habits to the football team at my dad's alma mater, the University of South Carolina. Another reason for my dad's chronic disappointment where I was concerned. He wanted me to go to USC, I wanted to come to Rinard with their awesome English Program. That hadn't gone over well.
I gave Riley a look of intense gratitude as my dad launched into a detailed stats rundown of his favorite college football team. “Do you want anything to drink, Mom?” I asked, heading into the kitchen. My mother followed me.
“I'd love some iced tea if you have it.” Of course I had iced tea. I'd stocked up because my mother drank it by the gallon.
I got a flowered glass down from the cabinet and poured her some tea. “I love these glasses, Maysie. They're adorable,” my mother said a little too enthusiastically. I knew she was trying to make up for my dad's nastiness. That was the way of our family. I was the royal screw up, my dad got pissed and my mom worked her ass off to smooth it over, even as she drilled in her own guilt trip.
“They're Riley's actually,” I said a little shortly. We fell into a kind of awkward silence. My mom finished her iced tea and put the empty glass in the sink.
“Maysie.” She began, facing me. My shoulders sagged in preparation of whatever she was about to say. She must have recognized me bracing myself because she took a hold of my hand. “I know your father can come across a little gruff.” I wanted to roll my eyes at that understatement. “But he loves you. Very much. And he just wants what's best for you.” I nodded, not trusting myself to say anything positive.
My mom leaned in and dropped her voice to a near whisper. “We've been getting your checks, sweetheart. And even though we were disappointed with your irresponsibility with the credit card, I think it's wonderful that you're taking care of that.” Back handed compliment number one. Check.
I gave my mom a fake smile. “Just doing what I should do. I'm sorry I messed up,” I admitted honestly.
My mom squeezed my hand. “I know you are, honey.” She reached out and brushed my bangs back from my face. “I wish you'd let your bangs grow out. They cover up your beautiful face.” Back handed compliment number two. Check, check.
I was saved from getting defensive by Riley and my dad coming into the kitchen. I got my dad a glass of iced tea and I spent the next fifteen minutes trying to withstand the cutting commentary on my college life. Riley, bless her, tried to intervene where she could. But there was only so much she was able to accomplish when faced with the full force of my father's attack.