Chapter 8. Thanksgiving at the Houseman's

"Hey, Johnny. You've been invited to my family's Thanksgiving dinner. It will be great for them to know you better. Will you come at about 2:00?" asked Baby.

Wow, you actually told them I'm your guy? That's great, just great. It makes me so happy, and I want to be with you. I'll wear a suit and tie and hope to impress them. In the meantime, I still have two rehearsals for Hello Dolly on Tuesday and Wednesday. See ya on Thursday.

[Johnny parks in the driveway and rings the bell. He straightens his coat and tie and is a bit intimidated by the house and the Housemans. Baby answers the door and throws her arms around him.]

"Oh, Johnny. I'm so glad to see you. Come on in and greet my family. You've already seen them at Kellerman's, but you haven't been formally introduced. Daddy and Mom, this is my guy, Johnny."

[Right away, her father is in a negative mood. He shakes Johnny's hand reluctantly. Her mom and Lisa are more welcoming.]

Dr. Houseman, I know I'm not the guy you want to be with your daughter, but I do love her. Dr. Houseman replied, "You should have known better. You're the older one. She was just an innocent girl, and she's never had a boyfriend."

Baby piped up, "No, Daddy. It wasn't like that. Let me make this clear. Johnny didn't prey on me. I'm the one who went to Johnny's cabin after you helped Penny. He had been teaching me a dance routine for the talent show, and I asked him to dance with me. I made him see I wasn't a girl anymore. I am a woman, and I wanted to make love with him."

"You've always said I was smart and mature for my age. You also said everyone deserves a break. I never liked any of those goofy high school guys, but Johnny is a real man. He may come across looking macho, but he has a soft, caring heart and has taken good care of me as well as his childhood friend Penny and cousin Billy," said Baby.

"Jake, we were high school sweethearts. Love wants what it wants," said Marjorie. "But we never went 'all the way' until we were married," replied Jake. Marjorie said, "Well, that was 25 years ago. Things are different now, although good, upper-class girls usually don't 'do it' or else they keep it secret. I know you still think of Frances as your baby, but she's a woman now."

I've never known anyone like her, sir. She's smart and caring. She sees the best in other people and she brought out the best in me. I'm not the macho dance instructor the "Bungalow Bunnies" try to make time with. I'm a guy who's been waiting a long time for someone to love what's inside and to stand by me. Baby's the one.

It tore her up to admit to you that she had been with me all night when Kellerman was calling me a thief. No one has ever done anything like that for me. Probably Moe's wife was jealous that I wouldn't sleep with her and that I was sweet on Baby. She made up that story about her husband's wallet being stolen by me. I'm no thief. Just an honest, hard-working guy even if I'm not a doctor or lawyer.

"Johnny has a full time job on Broadway, now. He tried out to be a dancer in the musical, Hello Dolly, and the famous choreographer, Gower Champion, hired him. They are in rehearsals now. The play opens on January 16, and Carol Channing is the leading star. While I'm home for winter break, maybe we could all see it."

Mr. and Mrs. Houseman, I am a dancer in two acts. One of them is called, "Waiter's Gallop." Kind of ironic since that sleazy Robbie Gould, who got Penny pregnant, was a waiter. But it feels good to have a year round, full-time job. My uncle got me into a workman's union to do painting and plastering, but although I'm no stranger to hard work, that didn't interest me. I've always liked music and dancing.

Lisa said, "Oh, can I come, too? I watched you at Kellerman's, and you're a terrific dancer. I was amazed at how you did the last dance with Baby. How you lifted her up! I didn't know she could dance, so you're a great teacher. Billy tried to teach me the Mambo, but I was kinda stiff. It's wonderful you will be on Broadway."

I'd be honored if you want to come to the show. If you want to go to the play, I'll see if I can get tickets. And Billy likes you a lot.