I watched my reflection in the bathroom mirror as I slipped the cheerful yellow cardigan over my navy floral cocktail dress. After cinching the brown wide belt around my waist, I fastened the string of pearls I got for my college graduation around my neck.
I could hear Andy sighing in frustration from the bedroom of our cozy room at the Simsbury 1820 House. The drive from Ithaca to Simsbury, Connecticut was a long five hours. Just as Andy had said, he had worked until noon at the admissions office before leaving early. He had booked our room at the 1820 House for the weekend, hoping to show me around the "better parts" of his hometown.
Believing that my appearance was going to be as good as it was going to get, I spritzed on a little perfume before switching off the bathroom light and rejoining my boyfriend in the other room. Andy was sitting on the four-poster bed, haphazardly trying to put his watch on. I could tell he was anxious to get this over with- his brow was furrowed in deep thought as he stared off.
"Do I look okay?" I asked softly, putting my hands behind my back. My voice seemed to snap him out of his trance. I watched his eyes glance over me as a warm smile graced his handsome face, ceasing with the watch and moving to stand in front of me. Grabbing my arms, he rubbed them up and down soothingly. "You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." He reassured me, kissing me softly and causing zings to fly straight to my toes.
"And you're the best thing to happen to me." I replied, returning the kiss back.
Andy let out a small breath and rested his chin on the top of my head as we held one another for support. "Are you ready for this?" He asked.
"Let's get the show on the road. I'm sure it'll be okay." I smiled, forcing some confidence.
Oh, how naïve I was…
Walter Bernard, Senior had inherited a nice piece of property after his divorce from Ellen thanks to his parents, Andy's paternal grandparents. It turns out, the elder Bernard's felt that sweeping everything their son had done under the rug and making it appear like nothing had happened was the best avenue to take.
Andy parked his car in the circular driveway behind a black Lexus that had the Connecticut license plate "WALTJR". We stopped at the front door, Andy ringing the doorbell. Apparently, he didn't feel comfortable enough to just walk inside. A man with dark brown hair and matching eyes opened the door and greeted us with an excited smile. "Bro! It's so good to see you!"
"Hey Walt," Andy greeted warmly as the men embraced enthusiastically. Watching them made me feel better than he had someone close and important to him. They released and Walt suddenly turned to me and gave that charming Bernard smile that was so familiar. "And this must be the woman who stole my big bro's heart. It's so great to finally meet you in person, Kate." He hugged me as well, but a little more calmly and polite.
"You too, Walt. Andy's told me a lot about you."
"What's he said about me?" A new, deeper voice called from the mouth of the entryway. We all turned and watched as Walter, Senior walked up to us. He stared at his oldest son for a moment, as though studying him. His right hand came out for a shake, "Hello Andrew. I trust your trip was adequate?"
"Long, but adequate, thank you dad." Andy's tone was clipped. He released Walter's hand before slipping his arm around my waist and pulling me in close. "Dad this is my girlfriend Kate. Kate, my father." I smiled politely and held out my hand to him, "Nice to meet you." He nodded and smiled back, shaking my hand.
"Shall we go to the dining room?" Walter took my arm and escorted me to the direction of the dining room, while Andy and Walt followed behind.
We sat down to a soup appetizer before diving into roasted rosemary chicken, new potatoes, and asparagus. I sipped my sauvignon blanc and listened to Walt's story about his ambitions to write the next great American novel. Andy sat somewhat stoic beside me as he listened to his little brother's story. He hadn't said much throughout dinner, and I wanted nothing more than to end the night as soon as possible.
After dinner, we all retreated to the lounge where the men shared cigars and snifters of brandy. I continued with the wine. Andy and I sat comfortably on one of the couches, his arm draped around my shoulders. I lazily traced circles on his thigh, hoping to make him feel more comfortable. He kissed my temple lovingly, "You're going to drive me crazy if you keep that up," He teased. I smiled, it was wonderful hearing him finally say something to me for the first time since the car ride over.
His father's voice interrupted our private moment. "So Kate, what do you do for a living?"
"I teach fifth grade in Scranton." "Ah, education. Very good. Of course, the public schools in Pennsylvania don't have the cognitive strategy that Connecticut private schools offer."
My heart stopped for a moment- was he making those weird condescending remarks that he usually did to Andy…to me?
"Uh, well private schools have better access to certain technologies and the latest educational programs. Public schools are constantly trying to scrap by, and teachers can't afford to pay out of pocket. We do the best we can with what we are given."
I glanced at Andy, who was giving me a look of pride.
Walter looked at me like he was gearing for a challenge.
Walt just looked like he was becoming nervous.
"Well your talents could probably be better served elsewhere, Kate." Walter 'assured' me.
"Dad, I think Kate's happy where she's at." Andy encouraged.
"Andrew, Kate is a big girl. I think she can speak for herself without having your opinions be heard."
The fallen look on Andy's face was the beginning of my undoing. The verbal diarrhea was building and and there was no stopping the speeding train.
"Mr. Bernard, Andy's opinion means the world to me. And the fact that he's sticking up for me against you means even more."
Walter looked confused, and slightly insulted. "Excuse me? What exactly do you mean by that?"
"Kate…" Andy murmured softly beside me. I ignored him. It was time this happened.
"I mean that you have been so incredibly hard on Andy his whole life and he has done nothing but work his ass off to appease you! And you go and treat him like crap! Nothing he ever does is good enough for you in your eyes! Who the hell renames their child when they're six? And you know what else? I have no idea how he turned out so wonderful despite all the short comings he dealt with thanks to you. Andy is a good man and you should be proud of him!"
I was out of breath after my speech, and the three Bernard men stared at me incredulously before Walter stood up out of his chair, looking thoroughly peeved.
"How dare you speak to me like that in my own home!"
I stood up as well, holding my own. "Well let me save you the trouble. I'll see myself out. Thank you for dinner." I spat. I turned around and promptly walked out of the lounge, not even knowing if Andy was following me or not. I made sure to grab my purse at the entryway before walking out the front door to Andy's car.
It was unlocked luckily, and I slid in my seat.
"Fuck," I muttered.
Did I just ruin my relationship?
I certainly ruined any relationship with Andy's father.
The tears were threatening to spill, but I refused to cry. Walter deserved to hear it. I would never take it back.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Andy come out in a hurry and look around before seeing me in the car. He got in and didn't say a word, but pulled the car onto the road back to our hotel. It wasn't a long drive, maybe ten minutes max. I chewed at my bottom lip- was this the end of our relationship? We were still so new, would he find this unforgiveable? I looked at Andy, and his face gave away nothing. He looked like he was in a hurry.
We pulled into a parking spot and the weight of the last fifteen minutes, and the ramifications of my actions flooded over me. The tears began to flow down my face- I couldn't stop them anymore.
Andy pulled me into his arms and kissed the top of my head lovingly.
"Shh, why are you crying Kate?"
"I'm so sorry, Andy! I don't know what came over me! Please don't hate me! I'll go back to your dad's and apologize…"
"Please don't. Nobody has ever stuck up for me like that to him. Not even my mother. I should be thanking you." His tone was soft and loving.
I looked up at him, and he smiled in a way I'd never seen before. He wiped my tears away with his thumbs, and I closed my eyes at his touch.
Andy began planting feather-light kisses on my face, and it was like a hotline to my nether region. I was so afraid he was going to dump me, and here he was thanking me.
"Want to go get a drink at the bar?" I asked.
"No, I have something else in mind." He planted a hard kiss to my mouth before getting out of the car. He swung around to my side and opened my door, helping me out.
We made it to our room in record time.