Meeting the Fam Cont

I just got nervous.
"Mom, Mom, are you home? Mom?"
"I'm up stairs. I'll be down in a minute. Who's here?"
"It's me Mom, Carly."
"This is a pleasant surprise. I'll be down in a minute."
"You can sit here at the kitchen table. Do you need a drink or anything?"
"A glass of water would be great." I was feeling fidgety and hoped that having something in my hands would make it better. However, I became so nervous I drank the entire glass. Carly saw what I had done and she refilled my glass. She then headed upstairs to find her mom.
She must have met her mom on the stairs.
"Carly, what a surprise. It's been awhile. What's the occasion?"
"Well, come in the kitchen and I'll tell you." I was trying to decide if Carly was wearing her biggest smile or was she trying to hide it.
Carly entered the kitchen first. "Mom...this is Brian Owens."
When Carly's mom came in the room I stood like my parents had taught me. "Brian, this is my mom Melinda."
"Hi." I said a bit too quietly.
"Carly, you didn't tell me that we had company."
"Ah...Mom he's more than company."
"Carly Anne Smith, what do you mean by that?" It took one look at Carly for Carly's Mom to know what she meant.
"You are engaged? When? Why didn't you tell us? Carly, you never told me you were dating anyone let alone dating anyone seriously."
"Well, there is a story Mom, if you'd like to hear it?"
"Sure I'd like to hear it. Do you guys need any thing to drink? I know it's a bit of a drive. I think we have some pop in the fridge."
"No, Mom, but thanks."
"I'm fine Mrs. Smith. Thank you."
"Ah, Brian is it? I'd really like it if you called me Melinda or Mel for short, you decide."
"Yes, ma'am."
Turning to Carly Melinda said, "Did he hear anything I just said?"
"Mom give him a break. He's being polite. Give him a couple of years and he'll come around."
I know Carly was just kidding, but it does take me awhile to warm up to people. Carly was different; she either forced me to do it or she was able to draw it out of me. I can't decide which, and it doesn't matter anyway.
"There's the smile I've grown to love." I felt my face get hot and I'm sure it turned a pretty shade of pink.
"Do you want me to call Dad and tell him to come home. He's got a light schedule today? Never mind, I can't wait for him to get home to hear the story you've got to tell. Before you get started let me make a phone call." We waited a few minutes for Carly's Mom to cancel an appointment she had for this afternoon. When Carly sat down she did so by me and grabbed my hand under the table. That felt reassuring.
"Okay, I'm all ears."
Because our story is really short it didn't take long. "While Brian was taking my picture I started to feel a warm tingling sensation. It was strange, but very comfortable. He had snapped a picture and then let his camera hang around his next and just looked at me. It wasn't that uncomfortable stare like something was wrong or that didn't make me feel uncomfortable. He looked at me like he was looking through me. I became lost in my own thoughts when he said, Carly, marry me. Without hesitation I told him to come and kneel in front of me, take my hands in his and ask me again. He did and I said, Yes." Carly's Mom had been dabbing her eyes with her apron. "Wow!"
When Carly had finished she laid her head on my shoulder and I kissed the top of it.
"Do you have a ring yet, girl?
"We've been shopping and have liked several rings, but none of them feel right. I want to have one and I'm getting impatient."
"I can understand that Dear, but if you wait for the right ring you will be glad you waited."
"When I say that I feel so something. I can't quite describe it. Selfish, spoiled, worldly? I know it's not about the ring. Mom, am I bad for feeling that way?"
"That depends Carly. Do you I'll be happy when I get a ring? I'll do this when I get a ring? On and on?" Melinda asked Carly.
"No. Even though I have never worn a ring on that finger I feel naked without it. Often I grab my finger and expect to feel something there, but there's nothing there and then I remember I don't have a ring yet."
"You're fine Dear. Carly does this boy enjoy a good steak?"
"Mom he does speak English, ask him." Carly replied, smiling this was some inside joke that I was not privileged to know.
"Brian, do you like steak?"
"Yes ma'am I do."
"Good, I needed a reason to fire up the grill and this is as good as any."