Last month’s visit went much smoother than my first one. Even with the distance, the three-ish months we’ve been together seemed like forever.
After two missed periods, Carrie-Ann convinces me that despite my normal irregularities I should take a test.
I still haven’t done it. Logically, I know it’s more than probable cause we haven’t once gloved up, but I am not sure if I am ready for the changes being pregnant will bring. I am not talking about the physical changes, but the changes between Perry and I.
I want his babies, but currently I’d be doing it basically alone and I know I am not strong enough for that.
I am super stressed about meeting his parents and decided to travel red eye Thursday night, just in case. I don’t want to make a bad first impression by not being put together.
From the way he talks, the Gentry’s are Boston Royalty. I’m only third generation new money, but thankfully my mother made me take etiquette and elocution classes, so I won’t embarrass myself or Perry for that matter.
I packed my bag last night, because lesson was learned the last time. I am getting my nails and hair done this morning. Then I have a lunch meeting with a prospective buyer and dinner with Migan, before heading to the airport.
When I open the door, I am not expecting my mother to be standing there.
“Hello, darling.” Josie Lewis is not what you would expect of a rich man’s wife. She is a 5’11 purely country girl. She grew up in a trailer park near Tulsa, Oklahoma. My dad found her in a diner where she worked. She was seventeen and so was he. They never looked back.
“Mommy?” I have always called her that and I always will. I pull her into a big hug. Just because I don’t want to hear a big lecture from her doesn’t mean I don’t love her.
“It’s been ages. I promise not a word about your career choice, but I want to spend some time with you.”
“Oh. I am on my way to the salon. Do you want to join me?” I am almost hoping she says no, but that’s only because I don’t want to hear it.
“I could use a little sprucing.” She says. She looks like she walked right off the runway, but whatever.
I lock up and we walk down the street. I need coffee, so we stop at the coffee shop on the way. It’s cute and the coffee’s delicious. We sit down, and I eat my chocolate chip muffin, while she has a disgusting looking Danish. I think I am going to be sick, but I manage to keep it in check. It’s looking more and more like I need to take that friggin test.
“So why did you really stop by?” I ask my mother to take my mind off this dilemma.
“I told you. I miss you. We haven’t spoken in weeks. What is going on with that guy you were telling me about?” I feel a blush creep up my face. “That good huh?”
“Is it that obvious?” I ask.
“It is to me.” She says laughing and I join in.
“It’s going really well. I am meeting his parents on Saturday.” I inform her.
“So, it’s serious then?”
“I love him. I told you he lives in Boston and we are trying to make it work.”
“I hear distance is hard, baby girl. But I do know if it is meant to be, it will be.”
“I know, and it is hard, really hard. I feel like a piece of me is missing and I worry that they won’t like me.”
“I can understand that. Remember when your father would take those business trips without us when you started school? We were adamant about no nannies and we couldn’t leave you with Nana all the time, so I let him go. He always came back, but those weeks were some of the hardest of my life. I am so used to him now that even a few hours apart are too much. Besides, how could anyone not like you?”
“I had no idea it was so hard for you.” I say, laughing.
“It was. But I had you, so I was perfect. Plus, when he got home I was more than fine.”
“Oh God. That was too much info.” I say laughing.
“Grow up baby girl. Tell me about this clothing line. Is she making old lady clothes too? I want to promote it.”
“She makes clothes for ladies of all ages in business and casual styles.” I say laughing. What’s with the change of heart? Three weeks ago, I couldn’t hear a nice word about it?”
“I cannot go weeks without talking to you again. I was out of line and only wanted better things for you than I had growing up. Since I met your father, I feel like I won the lottery. I mean, you know how many mistresses your uncle Mickey has had over the years? Fourteen. That we know about. I don’t know how Aunt Rachel has put up with it. Your father loves me, and I love him. He has never given me a moment’s pause on that front, but I never did anything for myself. I wanted you to have options.” She explains for the first time.
“I have options and I have never been happier. Rest assured, I know what I want out of life, but even if I am only half as happy as you have been, I will still be okay.”
We finish our coffee and head over to the salon. I get a blowout and mani-pedi. I go for a tasteful nude color, so that it will match all my clothes options this weekend. It is the nicest time I’ve spent with my mother in years.
I give her a hug and tell her I will call her when I land. We make plans for a late Sunday dinner, since my flight gets in at three in the afternoon.
When I get home from dinner with Carrie-Ann, which was all wedding talk I grab my bag and drive to airport. I park in the long-term parking and make my way to the terminal. This time I opted for first class. It might be a little luxurious, but I was so cramped last time that it was uncomfortable, which was a lovely cap on a shitty travel experience.
Even though it is three in the morning, I walk into the baggage claim and I see him. I take off at an undignified run and he catches me in his arms. The kiss we share is soul-searing.
“Hi baby!” I say, excitedly.
“Hi, Angel. I fucking missed you.”
“I missed you too. Is there anything open right now? I am starving.”
“IHOP?”
“Sounds amazing.”
We talk for a few hours over pancakes and coffee. He takes me back to his condo and I pull on some jammies, which consist of his boxers and t-shirt as he gets ready for work.
“I would have taken the day off, but I am due in court at eight.”
“Not a problem. I’ll sleep. Then I’ll find a store and make you some dinner tonight.”
“Perfect. I’ll be home around six or call if I am going to be later.”
“This all sounds very domestic. I like it.” I say.
“I love it. I love you. Have a good sleep.”
“I will. I love you too. Have a good day at work, dear.” I say laughing. He has those shades that keep the sun out and it’s heavenly.
I finally wake up at two-thirty and take a quick shower, while being careful of my hair. Since you can’t walk anywhere here, I get an uber to the Whole Foods and stock up on wine and all of the fixings for pasta and Caesar salad.
Instead, I decide to make spaghetti and meatballs. Perry comes home at five thirty and I get dinner going. The rest of my day is spent relaxing. It is very nice. Over dinner, we have a light conversation about his day. He doesn’t tell me much about his case though.
We spend the rest of the night making love.
The next morning, we sleep in because we don’t have to be at his parents’ house till three. They eat dinner quite early and at exactly five every day. This is such an early time. I mean old people in nursing homes eat this early.
I put on a black cocktail dress, since Perry is wearing a suit. I brought red heels and black ones. Deciding demure is better, I wear the black.
When we get to their house, which house is a huge understatement. There are several other cars in the driveway.
“Is this a dinner party?” I ask, hesitantly.
“It isn’t supposed to be.” He says and doesn’t look happy.
We get out of the car and walk to the front door. He knocks. I have never knocked at my parents’ house and find that both weird and cold. I plaster a big smile on my face. From what I’ve heard about them, this is going to be about as fun as a visit to the gynecologist.
He shakes his father’s hand and kisses his mother’s cheek.
“Father. Mother. This is my girlfriend, Portia Lewis. Portia, my parents Susan and Trenton.”
“It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Gentry. I’ve heard so much about you.” I say, shaking each of their hands.
“That’s funny. We haven’t heard anything about you.” His father says. The awkward silence is almost too much to bear.
“Dinner will be served in fifteen minutes and we must mingle.” His mother says as they walk away.
“I am sorry about that, Angel. They are not the best people.” He says.
“I’m tougher than that, baby. Don’t worry about me.” I say, though I don’t mean it.
I am introduced to his brother and sister, an aunt and uncle, and his grandfather. His sweet grandfather is the only person who is nice to me at all, besides Perry.
Portia, this is my aunt, Fallon and my uncle Soren. This is my girlfriend, Portia.” He announces.
“Lovely to meet you.” I say, extending my hand to them. They shake, but I feel like the snootiness is pouring off of them.
“Likewise, I am sure.” Fallon says.
“This is Tabby’s father.” Perry whispers in my ear. He’s handsome in a silver fox kind of way.
“Perry my boy, so good to see you. I hear my no-good daughter was hiding out with you.”
“She was.” Perry says. His back stiff.
“She will come home soon enough. The good of this family is worth more than any ridiculous notion of freedom or finding love. Trust me.” He says, looking at his wife. “You’ll do well to remember that, boy.” He says, pointedly looking at me.
What the fuck is wrong with this family? Suddenly a bell rings and someone calls out that dinner is served. Thank fuck.
When we get into the dining room, I am dismayed to find that we are not seated together. He is sitting by a ridiculously pretty girl named Mackenzie. I am annoyed and try to ignore the girl’s heavy flirting. Perry, bless him only talks to his cousin Cymion on the other side of him. She looks completely miserable. Her husband, Kenton, who I might add is sitting right next to her and chatting up an older pretty woman, whose name I can’t remember. He is totally ignoring her, and she looks like she might cry at any moment. I am sitting by his grandfather Marvin, who is a lovely dinner companion. Since I can’t sit by Perry, this is the second-best choice.
The meal is delicious, but I feel most unwelcome. I can’t imagine the rest of my life being treated so coldly by the family of the man I love. I wonder if the rest of my life will be the same.
This is just another obstacle we will need to overcome. I won’t stand between him and his family and if I am carrying his baby, do I really want him or her around these people? I really don’t, but it may not be up to me. By the time desert comes, I am ready to go home. To Minnesota. I have never felt so unwelcome in my entire life.
“You ready to go, Angel?” He asks me, coming up beside me.
“Oh God, yes.” I say, taking his outstretched hand. We head for his car and are the road before I know it. I finally feel like I can breathe again.
“I feel like I should apologize for them again. I have done everything in my power to not be like them.” He says, taking my hand in his and intertwining our fingers.
“You can’t control their behavior, Perry. You are nothing like them. I can tell from being around them. I love you.” I say, trying to reassure him.
“I love you too.”
I don’t let this put a damper on the rest of my trip. By the time we get to the airport on Sunday morning, I’ve fallen even more in love with this man.
As soon as I get home, I have a test to take.