Millie From Minnesota
"…Sy, Thank you." Abbey said.
He looked back and with one last smile, faded away. Suddenly Sy became aware of tears. Someone was crying. He listened for a moment until he was able to identify the voice. Millie…from Minnesota. He went to her and found her laying face down on her queen sized bed, sobbing.
"Come now, Millie. Why all the tears?" he asked sitting in the chair at the bed side.
"Oh, Sy! It's awful. My parents are coming for a visit. I tried to talk them out of it. I mean, I picked a college clear across the country for a reason, you know."
"They can't be that bad, Millie." He said in his clear British tones.
"You haven't met them yet. They refuse to act their age. Dad talks to my friends like he thinks he's so cool, so with it and he so isn't. And Mom dresses like a teenager …from the 80's. We're talking neon green spandex pants, with heeled jelly shoes and big t-shirts with even bigger gaudy belts around them. And as if that wasn't enough she thinks I should date anyone with a Y chromosome. They are SO embarrassing and humiliating. I bet you have the perfect parents, Sy." Millie moaned.
"Well, Mum and Dad were rather proper, so I guess that prevented any embarrassing episodes. But, really Millie, you are too mature and sophisticated a girl to be bothered by it. They'll come and see how well you are doing and maybe see you in a different light."
"Yeah right. And if that doesn't work?"
"Plan B. We distract them with some sort of activity."
"Hmm. Ok, but what?"
"There's a new exhibit at the museum."
"Yeah, Dating and Courtship Rituals of the Middle Ages. That'll go over real well with mom. She'll think it's a great place for me to get some dating tips. Moving on…what else?"
"What about…What about the movies? Isn't there a classic film festival at the theater on campus this month?" Sy asked.
"Yes. Dad will think it's current and contemporary. It'll just give him more things to talk about when he's trying to be "cool" with my friends. Oh Sy, this is impossible." Millie wailed grabbing a pillow and pulling it over her head.
"All hope is not lost. We just have to find the right activity. What about that lecture you wanted to attend? The one that archeology chap is giving in the history building on Friday?" Sy suggested.
"That….that just might work," Millie said emerging from her linen cave. She was quiet for a moment and Sy thought he had saved the day again until… "Oh, why do they even have to come at all?" Millie wailed again.
"Come on, Millie, what you need is a distraction of your own. Why don't we go watch one of those romantic movies you're always going on about?" Sy said flashing his brilliant smile.
He was rewarded with her smile as she got up from her prone position on the bed.
"Can we watch "Pride and Prejudice?" she asked in a begging tone.
"Sure. You know how I just love that story."
"Yeah. What other guy would put up with Mrs. Bennett's hysterics, except maybe poor Mr. Bennett."
"He is a brave fellow. Come on, I'll race you to the living room. Last one there has to pop the popcorn." Sy said mischievously and started to run.
They fell into a heap on the giant bean bag in the living room laughing. Sy flashed a smile, pleased he had finally succeeded in cheering up his new charge.