Alicia met his mother once. He didn't tell her she was stopping by. There she was, sitting on Will's bed in a pair of his boxers and a t-shirt at eight in the morning when his mother knocked on the door. It didn't matter that they had only been studying. Alicia was mortified.
When he tells her now that his mother wants to meet her all Alicia can think is well it can't be worse than last time. She remembers her as being nice. Polite. And confused as to why there was a girl other than her son's girlfriend in his bed. The nerves start low in her belly.
They set the date for dinner at two weeks. Plenty of time for Alicia to get ready. Just enough time for her to truly panic.
His mother insists on cooking at home in the little house a couple of hours south of Chicago where Will grew up. They plan to arrive a polite hour early for family time. Will drives and that hour becomes an hour and a half.
His father opens the door before they can knock. He takes her hand with a smile, the other on her shoulder and pulls her inside. Will's hand is a steadying constant on her back.
When she sees his mother, the recognition takes a moment. Alicia feels her stomach roll as it flashes through the other woman's eyes. Still, the smile is warm, the hug a nice surprise. The wine is a hit.
Pre-dinner conversation mostly consists of Will and his dad talking baseball. Alicia tries to relax, offers to help in the kitchen, contributes what little she knows about the current state of baseball at Will's encouragement. When his mother announces dinner is served, she breathes a sigh of relief.
Dinner is a lively affair. Alicia tries to keep up with the banter but it flies fast- sports, economy, work, sports, family, back to sports- all with a familial shorthand. Politics is politely avoided at a knowing glance. Father and son debate but Will relaxes around his mother.
After dinner, talk is slow over wine and pie. Her kids are a source of gentle curiosity and for once, Alicia's guard stays down. With the television quiet in the background his parents are welcoming.
On the drive home, they are mostly quiet. This time, they linger on the winding roads. Alicia finally relaxes, her hand in Will's. It went well.