Chapter Four
Christmas Morning came, Horace came and picked up Clarabelle in his truck to go visit their famillies. The two had begun to talk about their situation.
"So how are we gonna tell them without making a huge scene?" Clarabelle asked.
"That's the problem, there is no way it's not gonna be scene." He replied.
"Let's just hope my dad takes it easy on you Horace."
"Yeah, I just hope my ma doesn't make too much food again."
"Oh yeah, I rememeber that. We ended up having take some of the leftovers home, it lasted a whole month."
Both of them laughed.
"So where we going first?"
"Let's see your family first."
"Why."
"Ladies first."
They reach to Clarabelle's parents house, the house itself was almost big as a boarding house. The truck pulled into the park way, Horace and Clarabelle got out and walked passed all the cars.
"Let's see Markus and Itsey-Betsy are here, Miss Bovina is here, wow the whole family is here." Clarabelle said with excitement.
"D'oh! So is Sarabelle." Horace grumbed.
"Oh I know how evil my sister can be."
They reached to the front door, Clarabelle rang the door bell. Opening the door was Clarabelle's mother, she was very happy to see her daughter.
"Oh my little girl came to visit. I'm so happy!" Clarabelle's mother hugged her. "Oh hello Horace."
"Hello ma'am" Horace smiled.
"Is Dad here?" Clarabelle asked.
"Stang!" Clarabelle's Mother called out. "Clarabelle is here. Oh come in, the whole family is here."
Inside Horace stared around at the entire family, he was pratically invisble to them without Clarabelle. The first family member they talked to was Clarabelle's handicapped aunt who was simply called "Auntie".
"Hello Auntie."Clarabelle smiled.
"Hi Clarabelle sweetie how's my niece doin'?" Auntie smiled.
Auntie noticed Horace and drew out her rifle pointing it at Horace.
"It's alright Auntie, this is Horace remember." Clarabelle said calmly.
Auntie put her rifle down. "So your the feller' courtin' my niece."
Horace nodded.
"Well why didn't ya' say so." Auntie grinned and gave him a big pat on the back.
"Hello sister!" Sarabelle walked in.
"Hello Sarabelle." Clarabelle replied.
"Hello." Horace said sarcastically.
"Hello Horace," Sarabelle replied. "Still full of ego? I see."
Horace rolled his eyes. Then suddenly sounds of little running mary janes went through the hallway. Betsy ran up to Clarabelle and hugged her.
"Aunt Clarabelle!" Betsy cried out with joy. "Hi Uncle Horace!"
"Hey little Betsy." Horace smiled.
Markus, Betsy's father walked in. He was on his cellphone talking to his business partners, he didn't even glance at them. A few seconds later he was finally off his cellphone.
"To invisible to notice us Markus?" Clarabelle joked.
"Very funny sis." he replied.
"Daddy this is Uncle Horace." Betsy pointed at Horace.
" 'Uncle Horace' ?" Markus asked puzzled.
"She says that cause I'm considered family to her." Horace whispered.
"I see." Markus replied.
Then suddenly Clarabelle's Father walked in. He walked over to Clarabelle and gave her a hug.
"How's my little girl?" he was happy to see his daughter, but then he looked and noticed Horace. Boy was he furious, no one couldn't see the deathly look in his face, accept Horace of course.
Horace was a little scared. "Good day sir, uh I mean Stang umm..."
"Save it Horsecollar, it's christmas so take it easy." He replied.
"Yes sir." Horace sighed with relief.
"Lunch is ready!" Clarabelle's Mother called out.
Later everyone was eating and talking to one another, Markus was once again on his cellphone. Betsy snached her father's cellphone and hid it in her skirt pocket.
"No cellphones at the table daddy." Betsy said.
Everyone laughed. Bertie, Clarabelle's ten year old cousin began sneakingly flinging peas at Horace. Horace on the other hand was ignoring the peas being shot at him, he sill managed to eat while being shot at.
"Boy Horace you have alot peas don't you? Clarabelle asked.
"Let's just say, I like peas." He replied with a hint of sarcasm.
"So Clarabelle anything new sweetheart?" Clarabelle's Mother asked.
"Well, I just want my whole family to know," Clarabelle replied glowing. "Horace and I are getting married."
The whole family was in shock except Betsy and Auntie. Stang was so angry he was speechless, it was the holidays so he had to show a little respect. The rest of the afternoon Stang was so speechless he had a crooked smile just covering up his anger. Everyone later said their good byes and left the house. On road again, Horace and Clarabelle began to talk about the situation.
"Well that went well." Said Horace.
"At least my Father wasn't angry about it." she replied with concern.
"I know right."
"So now we're heading to my parent's place."
"Well let's hope nothing goes wrong."
"I hope."