Over a year had passed since Leah first came to Arlen, leaving behind her old life and painful memories. She had never in her wildest dreams considered meeting someone like Boomhauer-and falling deeply in love with him. She hadn't ever thought there could be a person out there whose aura, whose very state of spiritual being, could have complemented hers so perfectly. It was the sort of thing she had only seen between her parents.
It was springtime now, and in came the rain and sunshine. The grass was beginning to turn green again, and the leaves on the barren trees were beginning to bud. Leah's flowers were also showing their signs of new life, promising big blooms later in the season.
Finally her father had come to visit her, much to her delight. He was looking better than he had in years, his skin clear instead of ruddy, the alcohol bloat faded away, and the dazzling smile she always remembered had returned.
She gave him a house tour which was met with enthusiasm, and the showing of her garden was met with pride. He was pleased that Leah was doing so well for herself, and that she had found her own happiness. He also approved of Boomhauer. Leah knew he would, but was relieved anyway.
Soon the beginning of summer was upon them once more. Boomhauer and Leah were planning a trip to Florida to see his parents and celebrate their big wedding anniversary. Even Patch said he was going to be there. Leah was looking forward to finally meeting Boomhauer's family. Boomhauer just hoped Patch wouldn't hit on her; the guy had no moral compass, judging by the whole Katherine thing.
A little over a week before they were to leave, Boomhauer and his friends stood out in the alley, beers in hand.
"I can't believe I have a date again," Bill mused, a note of incredulity in his voice.
"How long's it been since your last one?" asked Hank.
"Oh… about a year."
Dale spat out his beer.
"You haven't gotten laid in a year?"
Bill shrugged like it was no big deal.
"If you quit jerking off, you'd develop super powers, you know."
"Dale," Hank sighed.
"How'd you meet her?" Boomhauer wondered.
"I haven't yet. It's sort of a blind date. My buddy at work is setting me up with his sister in law."
Dale looked skeptical. "What's wrong with her?"
"That's the thing-nothing. He showed me a picture of her. She's the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."
"That's great, Bill," Hank beamed, "I hope your date goes well."
"I just hope you get laid! Damn… a year?"
Bill ignored Dale, instead looking off into the sunset, inside his own thoughts.
Boomhauer hadn't realized how long it had been since Bill had gone out with someone. Bill had always told them about dates he was going on, and once Boomhauer thought about it, the last time Bill mentioned a date was back when he saw that woman from the bowling alley.
Dang, was that really a year ago? That means it was getting closer to a year when he and Leah started dating.
When Boomhauer and Leah were on the plane to Florida, he did his best to prepare her for his family.
"My dad doesn't say much. It might seem like he doesn't like you, but it's just that he's not a talker. My mother is, though, she talks more than enough for the both of them."
"How about your brother?"
Boomhauer scowled to himself. "He'll probably hit on you. If he bugs you, just let me know and I'll kick his ass."
Leah laughed. She didn't realize how serious he was.
"I just hope everybody likes me."
"Of course they will. You're perfect."
She smiled.
They took a car from a ride service to his parents beachside condo. His parents lived in an affluent community, comprised mostly of retirees or high status business people. There was a large, crystal clear pool, a gym, and even small boutiques on the ground floor. The place was swanky, very Miami-chic, but it was a little much for Boomhauer's taste.
"Wow," Leah looked around the lobby, impressed. "I'm surprised people who made a Texas boy like you moved to a place like this."
"Tell me about it."
Suddenly something collided into Boomhauer's back, and then he found himself tugged into a half-Nelson.
"You dick," he grunted, and elbowed his way out.
"Nice to see you too!" Patch grinned, pleased to disgruntled his brother. His attention was then drawn to Leah, who was standing to the side in startled amusement.
"Hey," he smirked, trying to look suave.
"Hi, Patch."
"Ah… So you've heard of me!"
Boomhauer shifted between them and led Leah to the elevator. Patch trotted along behind them, chatting the entire way up to the 5th floor and down the hall to their parent's place.
"Mom is going nuts knowing you're bringing a girl home," he told Boomhauer, "She won't stop talking about it. And I gotta say, I'm pretty curious myself. Never thought I'd see the day."
"People can change," Leah said on Boomhauer's behalf.
When they got to the door, Patch went ahead and led them in, acting as though he lived there too.
The apartment was overwhelmingly gorgeous, with high ceilings and big windows, giving them a bright view of the ocean. Everything was sleek and contemporary, bright whites or soft neutrals. It looked like something that would be on a fancy homes show, or in a travel magazine.
"Oh, you're here!" his mother exclaimed, and rushed over to hug him tightly. She pulled back to look him over, and clearly seemed to approve, as she began nodding fervently.
"And you're Leah! My, look at you!" Leah was also grabbed into a hug. "It's so nice to meet you."
"Thank you so much for having me," Leah beamed, "You have such a beautiful home."
"Of course, oh I'm so glad you're here. We've heard, well, nothing about you. You know how Boomhauer is."
She and Leah continued their conversations while Boomhauer's mother gave her the home tour. Boomhauer opened the enormous stainless steel fridge to fetch a beer. No Alamo this far away from Texas, unfortunately, but whatever this was would have to do.
His mother and Leah went out on the balcony with his father. Occasionally some of what they were saying sailed inside on the ocean breeze.
Patch leaned against the white marble countertop with a beer of his own.
"She's cute," Patch told Boomhauer. He was looking out towards the balcony where Leah stood, her floral sundress swaying with the salty air.
"Don't get any ideas."
"Hey, what kind of guy do you think I am?"
Boomhauer gave him a dark look.
"You're still sore about Katherine, aren't you? You hadn't dated her in almost twenty years by that point!"
"I didn't realize there was a statute of limitations on sibling solidarity."
"Come on," Patch chuckled, "Can't we move past it?"
Though his tone was playful, his eyes were pleading.
Boomhauer sighed. He didn't care anymore.
He extended his hand and Patch shook it, then pulled him into a back clapping hug.
"My brother!"
"Yeah, okay, just keep it tame with her, alright?" He jerked his head to the balcony.
"I'd never try to bang my future sister in law."
Always so crude.
Leah was having a lovely time with Boomhauer's parents, who were deeply invested in everything she had to say. Her hometown, her hobbies, her career, everything was treated as though she was the most interesting person they had ever met. She attributed it to their lack of meeting very many of Boomhauer's girlfriends.
Later at dinner they all gathered together at the glass top dining table. Boomhauer's mother made a vegan dish which was incredibly delicious.
"So, how long have you two been together?" she wondered.
"Almost a year now," Leah answered.
"Oh my, that long? Boomhauer, why did you never mention her sooner?"
He shrugged and continued eating.
"Well, his father and I are very happy to have you here," she smiled warmly at Leah. "I never thought I'd live to see my baby bring a serious girlfriend home."
"What about me?" Patch huffed.
"If only you could get one to stick," she tisked.
Patch rolled his eyes.
Their mother put her fork down and sat up primly. "Now, Leah, I have to ask, have you given any thought to having children?"
Boomhauer choked on his food. "Mom!"
"I'm not getting any younger. I dearly wish to hold a grand baby of my own someday…"
"Can't you just hold Nadine's kid or something?" Patch asked. Boomhauer appreciated his show of support.
"Holding my niece's baby isn't the same thing. And besides, I want to have a sweet little grand baby with Boomhauer's cute little ears."
Boomhauer groaned and Leah giggled behind her hand.
"Give the kids a break," Boomhauer's dad spoke up.
His mother sighed. "Fine, fine."
She was going to have to live with the fact that she would never be a grandmother. Boomhauer knew Patch didn't want kids either, just as much as he didn't. Good thing, too, considering how childish and irresponsible he was.
Later that night, Boomhauer and Leah retired to the guest bedroom when it was nearing time for bed. Boomhauer watched Leah as she undressed, the view of the moonlit ocean behind her, and he was once again struck with awe of how beautiful she was.
"I really like your family," she told him, changing into her sleepwear, "I hope I made a good impression on them."
"Of course you did. And you made my dad laugh, which isn't easy to do. My mom loves you. You see how outspoken she is. If she didn't like you, she certainly wouldn't have minced words about it. And Patch, well… yeah."
He'd prefer it if Patch didn't like her, but it couldn't be helped.
Leah smiled. "They're all very sweet. I'm having a really nice time here."
"I'm sorry about earlier, with my mom at dinner. She, uh… Well, she gets like that."
"Oh, it's fine. I thought it was funny! And you put up with my dad's third degree, so this was nothing."
Leah came to bed, shifting around next to him under the downy duvet.
"She won't accept that Patch and I don't want kids. She used to grill us for years over it, though lately she's just started letting up. But bringing you home is going to get her going again." He sighed, knowing full well that he will never hear the end of it.
"Maybe you could get a puppy instead?"
"Well, I do have my koi pond. They can be her grandkids. Grandfish."
Leah laughed and cuddled closer, gazing sweetly up at him. Boomhauer looked down upon her pretty face, into her captivating eyes.
"You don't want kids either, right?"
"I told you before, it doesn't matter to me."
"Yeah, but… just making sure you haven't changed your mind," he mumbled.
"I knew what I was getting into when I fell in love with you," she assured him. "Besides, I have my step-fish."
Boomhauer smiled. He was very grateful they were both on the same page.
The next day was his parents' anniversary party. It was hosted in huge reception room on the ground floor of a gorgeous hotel. It began during the mid afternoon, when the sun was still high, which brightly lit the party room.
Caterers supplied the food, and the bar was, of course, open, much to the delight of Boomhauer and Patch. The pair of them hung around beside it, drinking beers and watching the party guests.
Leah was some distance away, chatting with Boomhauer's younger cousin Nadine. He had been certain the two of them would hit it off well; Nadine was big into nature and living eco-consciously like Leah was. Looked like Nadine didn't bring her new baby this time; now his poor mother wouldn't get her baby holding fix.
"Think you might marry her?" Patch asked. He nodded to where Leah was chatting animatedly with Nadine.
Boomhauer's first response was going to be "No," but he stopped himself. Why not? He loved her. He couldn't imagine his life without her.
"I mean, maybe? I don't need papers to prove myself to her, but I do want to be with her for as long as I can." He felt corny saying "forever," but that's what he meant.
"Yeah, I felt like that once," Patch nodded, speaking as though he were older and wiser, "But I guess I couldn't fool myself. I like pussy too much."
Boomhauer groaned, but he understood where his brother was coming from...sorta.
"I guess I was getting tired of sleeping around. It's really nice to come home to the same person now. I didn't think I'd ever feel this way. So, maybe you'll feel like this some day, too."
"I doubt it. But I'm happy for you."
Patch raised his beer to Boomhauer, who clinked his beer against it.
Their mother turned on a microphone and stood at the head of the room next to their father.
"Thank you everybody for coming to celebrate with us! It's so great getting to enjoy our special day with you all. And we want to thank our boys, Boomhauer and Patrick, for making us so proud about the men they grew up to be. And we want to extend a warm welcome to Boomhauer's special girlfriend, Leah, who is so wonderful and lovely and we are so glad to have her here! And who knows-maybe next time we all get together again will be for a wedding!"
Everybody clapped and cheered. Leah blushed but smiled good naturedly, while Boomhauer shook his head in annoyance. His mother always had to do shit like that.
His father grabbed the microphone from her and said, "Remember, folks, it's an open bar. Here's to another forty years!"
During the following round of raucous applause, Leah slid through the mass of people and back to where Boomhauer was standing.
"Sorry about that," he sighed.
"Oh, it's fine." Leah grinned and grabbed a cocktail from the bar. "I don't get embarrassed that easily."
As nightfall moved in, the music turned from light and pleasant to something more up-tempo. Most of the guests were dancing, or drinking enough to want to dance once the alcohol kicked in. Nadine and some other cousin of theirs grabbed Leah and they went out to the dance floor.
It was nice that Leah could just go off and enjoy herself without him like that. He preferred hanging back and drinking quietly, which he did for quite some time. The occasional cousin or aunt or uncle would come talk to him for a moment, and his grandmother came up to him for a hug goodbye before she left for her hotel room for the night.
A slow song came on and the lights dimmed. He hardly noticed couples breaking off to dance together when Leah appeared at his side, pulling his hand and smiling coyly.
He tossed back the rest of his whiskey and followed her into the crowd. His parents were dancing together nearby, gazing as lovingly into each other's eyes as they ever did. Patch ordered another whiskey, alone.
Leah put her hands on Boomhauer's shoulders while he held her waist. He was pretty buzzed by now, sure, but his thoughts of her always stayed clear and steady. She was so beautiful, so enticing, and when she kissed him gently, there on the dance floor, he wondered if he could love her even more than he did at that moment.
He had never given much thought to marriage, but now, well, it wasn't the worst idea in the world. Maybe someday she would be his wife.
Leah Boomhauer. The very thought of it made him grin, like it was such a lovely thought it was almost a little amusing.
"What?" Leah asked, matching his smile.
"Nothing… Just thinking about how much I love you."
"Oh, is that all?" she teased.
He pulled her closer and kissed her again.
"I can't wait until we go home to Arlen."
"Why's that?"
He growled something in her ear that made her body surge with heat.
"There's got to be a closet or something around here," she suggested. He felt her fingertips graze at the back of his neck as she bit her lip.
He didn't need to be told twice. He grabbed her hand and quickly they scurried from the reception room, passing by guests who were hopefully too drunk or too tired to notice them.
It was late at night, leaving most of the hotel deserted and dimly lit. They ducked down an adjacent hallway, giggling and whispering while they jiggled every door handle they saw. Leah kept nipping at his neck or grabbing at the front of his pants every time they were met with a lock. He was half crazed with desire by the time they finally found an unlocked stock room, and all but yanked her inside behind him…
Later they emerged, after having smoothed out their hair and clothes, and peeked discreetly down each end of the hallway before casually ambling out. Apparently they weren't the only ones with the same idea… Striding out of a supply closet in another hallway was Patch, looking smug, and a caterer girl, looking nervous when she saw them approaching.
Patch tipped a nod to his brother. It was amazing to Boomhauer that used to be his lifestyle, too. He didn't miss it at all now. All that was ever on his mind now was Leah.
Spending the weekend in Florida with Leah and his family was fun, but he was ready to get back to Texas. He truly felt more at home there, more comfortable, and he had a real craving for a can of Alamo and the backdrop of the alley. He also had to admit he missed his friends, and wondered what they were up to while he was gone.
