Family Ties

I picked up my bags and took them out to the porch.

Christy followed and pulled the door closed to give us a moment of privacy.

The screen porch was fairly large, with comfy-looking wicker furniture.

The longer couch was made up as a bed. Danny’s suitcase sat atop it. My

“bed” was a military cot, the old style with a wooden frame. Anne (or someone) had made it up with sheets, a couple of blankets, and a pillow.

She’d even turned down the covers for me.

She moistened her lips and slowly opened her eyes.

“Mmm hmm. Relax. I’ll be fine. Yeah, I’m a bit nervous, but your family has been super nice so far.”

“Okay. I’m just worried about my dad. He’s…”

“You’re his only daughter,” I said. “I get it. I’ll do fine.”

She nodded and then smiled up at me shyly. “Will you kiss me again?”

I was happy to. “Better?”

“Good. Now, we should get back inside before they figure out what we’re up to.”

“I hope you like your bunk,” her father said.

“It’s very nice, sir. Thank you.”

“You don’t have to call me ‘sir,’” he said automatically. “I’m just Harold at home. Would you like a drink?”

“Why don’t we step into my office.”

Both Christy and her mother looked at us, Christy with surprise and worry, her mother with forbearance.

I realized I was about to get the “What are your intentions…?” grilling.

“Don’t keep him too long, dear,” Anne said to him. “He’s had a long trip.

He and Christine probably want to relax a bit.”

“Oh, he looks like a sturdy young man.” He gestured for me to precede him.

I walked down the hall and felt a shiver of fear and determination. I was about to step into the ring with a smarter, stronger, quicker, tougher opponent. He outclassed me in every way, yet I wasn’t going to back down. I couldn’t. Not now, not ever.

I barely saw the dining room on my right. The front entryway loomed at the end of the wide hallway, and a small part of me wanted to walk straight out and never look back.

I turned in and automatically scanned the mahogany-paneled room. His “I love me” wall was full of photos and service plaques and commendations.

The wall on the left was lined with built-in bookshelves behind an antique desk.