Family Ties

I almost said, “Dismissed!” But I decided that teasing my girlfriend’s father was probably something I should ease into, rather than jump with both feet.

She couldn’t decide if our expressions were good or bad.

“Relax, Birdy,” her father said. “I’ll give him a chance.”

Christy rushed into his arms. “Oh, Daddy! I knew you’d like him!” She released her hug, but he kept his arm around her protectively.

Anne glanced at him and then pointedly at me.

I smothered a smile.

“Oh, right,” he said. He lifted his arm from around Christy’s shoulders, and she moved to my side.

“I’m not ready to give her away, mind, but you can look out for her in Tennessee. You seem to be doing a good job so far.”

“Why, thank you… Harold.”

“He does that very well, doesn’t he?” Anne said with a grin. “You can almost hear the ‘sir.’”

He nodded. “Like he wants to impress me.”

“What a novel idea.”

“Thank you very much for inviting me,” I said. “And this probably isn’t the best time, but I want to apologize for… you know.

We really didn’t mean to fall asleep together. And then Rich… well… yeah.”

“You handled yourself well,” Harold said. “You shouldn’t’ve been in the situation in the first place—”

“Right you are,” Harold said. “So… see that it doesn’t happen again.”

“Not a chance,” I said, as earnestly as I could.

“Oh, Harold,” Anne said. “Be nice. He’s trying to apologize.”

She jumped and looked at her watch. “Time. Oh, dear! We’re going to be late.”

“Then let’s get a move on,” he said. “Paul, help me with the luggage?”

I turned to the row of suitcases along the kitchen wall and pulled up short.

“Um… sorry?” Christy said in a guilty voice. “I couldn’t fit everything in the ones I brought.”

Her father and I shared a look.

“Son, if you can keep up with her wardrobe, you’re a better man than I.”

“Not a chance,” I said again, as earnestly as before.

Christy’s parents parked the car and walked with us into the airport terminal.

We chatted in line until we reached the check-in counter.

Christy shot me a guilty look as she remembered the near-fiasco on the trip out, but we didn’t have any problems this time.

We checked our suitcases, took our boarding passes, and walked a little way toward our gate. Christy’s parents hugged and kissed her and said goodbye. Harold shook my hand, and Anne gave me a long hug.

“Be good to her,” she whispered. “She really likes you.”

We lingered a bit longer, until I looked at my watch and gave Harold a little nod.