CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
"Uh, mom, dad, I want you to meet my fiancée, Jody Sawyer." Charlie said, once they were standing inside.
"It's nice to meet you Jody." Mrs. Sims shook her hand and smiled, though it wasn't a very friendly smile. Just as Charlie had expected, they hated her right off. Mr. Sims shook her hand as well, but seemed a lot friendlier.
Jody smiled warmly at them, trying to make a good impression. "It's nice to finally meet you both."
Charlie's parents invited them into the large living room. Mr. and Mrs. Sims sat on a couch facing Charlie and Jody, who sat on another couch on the opposite side of the room. Charlie put his arm around Jody and pulled her closer to him.
"And how long have you been engaged." Mrs. Sims asked.
"Almost 3 moths now."
Mrs. Sims nodded. "And Jody, you're a dancer?"
"Yes." Jody nodded.
Mrs. Sims nodded again, but Mr. Sims rolled his eyes.
Charlie frowned. "We're gonna go put the suitcase in my old room, ok?" Charlie said, standing up.
"Ok. Jody can sleep in Kyle's old room." Mrs. Sims said.
Charlie nodded and picked up their small bag. He led Jody up the staircase. He placed the bag inside a room and sat down on the bed inside. Jody sat next to him and looked around.
"So this is your room, huh?"
"Yup." Charlie nodded.
"Your parents must be incredibly rich."
"Yeah… basically." Charlie smiled.
"So, I didn't know you had a brother! What was his name… Kyle?"
"Yeah. Kyle's 32 now and my other brother, Rob is 21. Then I have a sister, Ellen. She's 26."
"Ok, whoa, Charlie! How come you have 3 brothers and sisters and never mentioned them once in 8 whole years?"
Charlie shrugged, not wanting to go into the history. "Slipped my mind…"
"Ok. Well, will I ever get to meet them?"
"Sure. I'll invite them to the wedding."
"Ok." Jody nodded.
"So, you have any hidden siblings?"
Jody smiled. "Well, I do have a brother… Tommy. He's 22. He lives in Philly now with his 3 best friends… Mark, John, and Lisa."
"Oh… he coming to the wedding?"
"Oh yeah, all 4 of them. Me and Tommy… we used to be really close."
"What happened?"
"I moved to New York… and he was only 15."
"Oh. Well, I guess I should go show you Kyle's room." Charlie got up and showed her to another big room.
"Wow, it's huge!!"
"I know. I used to be so jealous. Once me and some of my friends switched all the furniture and everything so I'd be able to get this room."
Jody laughed. "That sounds like such fun! Did it work?"
"Not exactly. I got grounded instead."
Jody smiled. "Well now you get to be jealous of me!" She danced across the room.
Charlie applauded loudly. "Beautiful darling, just wonderful." He said, imitating this annoying English dancer they knew.
Jody laughed and plopped down on the bed. It juggled under her. "Ohhh! Comfy!"
Charlie sat down next to her on the waterbed and bounced slightly. "Hmmm, this is a really fun bed."
Jody smiled and rolled her eyes. "Uh huh."
Charlie kissed her and there was a loud, urgent knock on the doorframe. Charlie looked up and smiled at his dad.
"Charlie… Jody… dinner is ready."
"Ok. Thanks Dad. We'll be down in a sec." Charlie said, trying to get his dad to leave. He didn't, so Charlie sighed and went down the stairs, followed closely by Jody and his father.
Charlie took his place at the dinner table next to Jody and prayed that his parents would warm up to Jody, though he doubted they ever would.
