CHAPTER 6
"So, let me get this straight. After your mom said that and you told him about it he didn't leave?" asked Mary later that night. "No, and why would he?" "Um, hello, did you not hear what your mother said?" "Yes I was there, remember?" "Alright moving on, what happened next?" "Eli and I decided that it'd be best to watch a movie downstairs…"
"Armageddon it is then." I said as I put the DVD in. I sat on the sofa next to him and he put his arm around me and I put my head on his shoulder. About 45 minutes into the movie my mom and dad walked in. I introduced Eli to my dad and then they gave me their goodbye speech. "Now Isabel, you're in charge f the house while we're gone." Started my dad. "I know." "We'll be gone for about 2 weeks or so." "Okay dad." "Bye dear." Said my mom "Bye Isabel." Said my dad. "It was nice meeting you Eli. Hope to see you again." Said my mom. "You too Mrs. Matheson." He went up to my father and they shook hands. "It was nice to meet you Mr. Matheson." "You too Eli." We walked my parents to the door and saw them off. After I closed the door I turned to him and said, "And then there were two." He smiled at me and embraced me. "How about we finish that movie?" I nodded and we back to the movie.
About an hour later Eli asked me what time it was, "About 5 or so. "Why?" "I've got to go. I promised my mom that I'd have dinner with her tonight. "Oh, okay." We got up and walked to the door. I gave him his jacket. He held me in his arms, "So, I'll call you okay?" I nodded and smiled and we kissed.
"And then he left." "I think that you've got yourself a catch Is." "Thank you!" "So, how long are the parental units gone for this time?" "About 2 weeks or so. Why?" "One word...PARTY!!!" "Mar, no.no parties." "Party pooper." I looked at the clock and saw that it was almost 11. "Mar, I've got to go. I open tomorrow." "Okay, see you later." "Night!" "Night!" I hung up the phone downstairs, turned off the lights and locked all the doors. Then went upstairs to my room and went straight to bed.
Over the next 2 weeks Eli and I spent more and more time together. He'd come over and we'd hang out or we went out doing different things. One night, however, as we sat in the kitchen Eli said, "Do you want to come to my house for dinner one night?" "You mean meet your family?" "Well, yeah...and eat dinner." "That should be fun." "Good." The next day he told he that I'd meet his family 2 days from then. Nervous, me? Oh hell yes! I asked Eli the night before if I should bring something. "No, don't worry. Just bring yourself."
The night of the dinner Eli was picking me up at 5:00pm sharp, at 4:30pm I was still trying to find something to wear. On top pf that my parents came home. Just as I was finishing getting ready my mom came in. "Isabel, we're home. Where are you off to looking so nice?" "To Eli's for dinner." "Oh, alright. I guess that I'll talk to you later then." "Okay mom." "You do look nice Isabel." "Thank you." I looked into my full-length mirror and was pleased. I was wearing a long denim skirt with my pink peasant top; I had a little of make up on. My hair was down, which isn't something I do often. "Well, I'll see you later or tomorrow." "Okay, mom." She left. The doorbell rang just as I grabbed my purse. I closed my door and ran downstairs. Well, about as fast as I could in my skirt. I opened the door and Eli stood there. "Isabel, you look beautiful." I blushed. "Thank You." "So, ready?" "As I'll ever be." I got my jacket and went to the car. As we sat listening to the radio stuck in light traffic. He looked over at me and said, "Is, I don't know what it is, but you look so beautiful tonight." I laughed. "Are you saying that I don't look beautiful any other night?" "No, I didn't mean that." "Eli, don't worry, I understand what you mean." He sighed. "I just let my hair down, that's all." He smiles and nodded.
As we pulled into the driveway Eli said, "Home Sweet Home." We walked into the house and there I met the Sammler family. Lily, his stepmother; Rick, his dad; Jessie, his sister; Grace and Zoe, his stepsisters. Everyone seemed really nice while we were talking. During dinner the conversation was light. It was fun to actually sit down at a table for a home cooked meal. As dinner came to a close I volunteered to help Lily in the kitchen. "No, you're a guest. We don't make our guests work their first time here." "It's okay Mrs. Sammler. I'd love to help." "Eli, have I told you that this is a great girl?" "You don't have to tell me Lily, I know." Lily, Grace and I went to the kitchen to clean up. While we washed the dishes Lily asked, "So, Eli seems serious about you. Have you been going out long?" "No, actually only about 3 weeks or so." "Well, whatever it is you're a special girl whose turned Eli's head. Don't worry, that's a good thing." We finished cleaning up and as I was leaving the kitchen I overheard Lily as Grace something. "Gracie, what do you think about Eli's new girlfriend?" "She's okay. I mean she's the first one he's brought home that's normal. You know?" "Yeah. I like her. I think that this one could be really serious." "Whatever."
After cleaning we all talked for a little while more then it was getting late. Rick and Lily said that they hoped to see more of me. Hinting to Eli. Eli just grinned and patted my knee. We soon left after we finished talking.
On the way back to my house Eli held my hand. When we got there Eli said, "So, that wasn't so bad now was it?" "No, not at all. I like your family. I only hope to meet your mom too." "Don't worry, you will." "They're all really nice. Though, I don't think that Grace likes me so much," "Well, I wouldn't worry about that too much. And I hate to break it to you, but I'm the only one that really maters." "Very true, but, I think that I still think your family is great." We kissed.
As we approached my house I asked Eli if he wanted to go out tomorrow for a picnic. "Is, I'd love to, but, I have to practice with the guys." A little disappointed I said, "Oh, okay." "Don't get me wrong I'd love to go." "Eli, don't' worry about it. It's okay, I know how much your music means to you." "You sure?" Positive." "Okay." He walked me to my door and we kissed. When we pulled apart he said, "Well, maybe we can have an early dinner." "I can't I work." "Alright I'll just call then." I nodded. He kissed me again then left.
The next morning when I walked into the kitchen my parents were sitting on the kitchen table. My dad was drinking coffee and reading the paper, while my mom was drinking her regular tea. "Good Morning Mom and Dad. How was Europe?" I asked as I poured myself a cup of coffee. My dad looked up from his paper and said, "Good, I got a lot of work done." "That's good Daddy. Oh, Mom, what's was it you wanted to talk to me about?" My mom looked at my strangely then said, "Oh, that's right! Your father and I have something to tell you." I sat down at the table. My mom looked at my dad, "Jasper, why don't you tell her?" "Cassandra." "Alright. Isabel, your father and I are going to spend a few months in Europe." "Why? I mean you were just there." "Well, we're thinking about buying a house there." "But, what about me?" "You'll stay here of course." "Of course. When do you leave?" "A month from tomorrow." "A month?" Now it was my father's turn to talk. " Now, Isabel, don't be upset. We know that you love living in Chicago. Besides you've got that boy now, Edward." "Eli." "Right, right Eli. Don't worry, we'll be back before you know it." "Fine. I've got to get ready for work." I went upstairs and started to get ready for work.
During the month before my parents were to leave Eli and I got closer, but we realized that we also had our differences. Eli spent more and more time with his band and work. If not those things he'd be at home, and if not at home, he'd be with me. Somehow we managed that month. However, three days before my parents were to leave Eli and I had our first argument. Don't ask me what it's about, because neither of us remembers. We did make up and that brought us closer. The day that my parents left I stayed at work until an hour before they were to leave. I got home and saw their entire luggage in the hallway. "Mom, Dad?" My mom came down the stair and gave me "the talk" about leaving me alone in the house without someone, and to be careful about parties. Then my dad came in and told me to be good such. Eli came just as I was helping them put their luggage in the car. We helped them finish loading the car and then they were off. I couldn't believe it. My parents were gone for a few months or longer and I not only had the house to myself, but a boyfriend that could lead to a whole other direction.
"So, let me get this straight. After your mom said that and you told him about it he didn't leave?" asked Mary later that night. "No, and why would he?" "Um, hello, did you not hear what your mother said?" "Yes I was there, remember?" "Alright moving on, what happened next?" "Eli and I decided that it'd be best to watch a movie downstairs…"
"Armageddon it is then." I said as I put the DVD in. I sat on the sofa next to him and he put his arm around me and I put my head on his shoulder. About 45 minutes into the movie my mom and dad walked in. I introduced Eli to my dad and then they gave me their goodbye speech. "Now Isabel, you're in charge f the house while we're gone." Started my dad. "I know." "We'll be gone for about 2 weeks or so." "Okay dad." "Bye dear." Said my mom "Bye Isabel." Said my dad. "It was nice meeting you Eli. Hope to see you again." Said my mom. "You too Mrs. Matheson." He went up to my father and they shook hands. "It was nice to meet you Mr. Matheson." "You too Eli." We walked my parents to the door and saw them off. After I closed the door I turned to him and said, "And then there were two." He smiled at me and embraced me. "How about we finish that movie?" I nodded and we back to the movie.
About an hour later Eli asked me what time it was, "About 5 or so. "Why?" "I've got to go. I promised my mom that I'd have dinner with her tonight. "Oh, okay." We got up and walked to the door. I gave him his jacket. He held me in his arms, "So, I'll call you okay?" I nodded and smiled and we kissed.
"And then he left." "I think that you've got yourself a catch Is." "Thank you!" "So, how long are the parental units gone for this time?" "About 2 weeks or so. Why?" "One word...PARTY!!!" "Mar, no.no parties." "Party pooper." I looked at the clock and saw that it was almost 11. "Mar, I've got to go. I open tomorrow." "Okay, see you later." "Night!" "Night!" I hung up the phone downstairs, turned off the lights and locked all the doors. Then went upstairs to my room and went straight to bed.
Over the next 2 weeks Eli and I spent more and more time together. He'd come over and we'd hang out or we went out doing different things. One night, however, as we sat in the kitchen Eli said, "Do you want to come to my house for dinner one night?" "You mean meet your family?" "Well, yeah...and eat dinner." "That should be fun." "Good." The next day he told he that I'd meet his family 2 days from then. Nervous, me? Oh hell yes! I asked Eli the night before if I should bring something. "No, don't worry. Just bring yourself."
The night of the dinner Eli was picking me up at 5:00pm sharp, at 4:30pm I was still trying to find something to wear. On top pf that my parents came home. Just as I was finishing getting ready my mom came in. "Isabel, we're home. Where are you off to looking so nice?" "To Eli's for dinner." "Oh, alright. I guess that I'll talk to you later then." "Okay mom." "You do look nice Isabel." "Thank you." I looked into my full-length mirror and was pleased. I was wearing a long denim skirt with my pink peasant top; I had a little of make up on. My hair was down, which isn't something I do often. "Well, I'll see you later or tomorrow." "Okay, mom." She left. The doorbell rang just as I grabbed my purse. I closed my door and ran downstairs. Well, about as fast as I could in my skirt. I opened the door and Eli stood there. "Isabel, you look beautiful." I blushed. "Thank You." "So, ready?" "As I'll ever be." I got my jacket and went to the car. As we sat listening to the radio stuck in light traffic. He looked over at me and said, "Is, I don't know what it is, but you look so beautiful tonight." I laughed. "Are you saying that I don't look beautiful any other night?" "No, I didn't mean that." "Eli, don't worry, I understand what you mean." He sighed. "I just let my hair down, that's all." He smiles and nodded.
As we pulled into the driveway Eli said, "Home Sweet Home." We walked into the house and there I met the Sammler family. Lily, his stepmother; Rick, his dad; Jessie, his sister; Grace and Zoe, his stepsisters. Everyone seemed really nice while we were talking. During dinner the conversation was light. It was fun to actually sit down at a table for a home cooked meal. As dinner came to a close I volunteered to help Lily in the kitchen. "No, you're a guest. We don't make our guests work their first time here." "It's okay Mrs. Sammler. I'd love to help." "Eli, have I told you that this is a great girl?" "You don't have to tell me Lily, I know." Lily, Grace and I went to the kitchen to clean up. While we washed the dishes Lily asked, "So, Eli seems serious about you. Have you been going out long?" "No, actually only about 3 weeks or so." "Well, whatever it is you're a special girl whose turned Eli's head. Don't worry, that's a good thing." We finished cleaning up and as I was leaving the kitchen I overheard Lily as Grace something. "Gracie, what do you think about Eli's new girlfriend?" "She's okay. I mean she's the first one he's brought home that's normal. You know?" "Yeah. I like her. I think that this one could be really serious." "Whatever."
After cleaning we all talked for a little while more then it was getting late. Rick and Lily said that they hoped to see more of me. Hinting to Eli. Eli just grinned and patted my knee. We soon left after we finished talking.
On the way back to my house Eli held my hand. When we got there Eli said, "So, that wasn't so bad now was it?" "No, not at all. I like your family. I only hope to meet your mom too." "Don't worry, you will." "They're all really nice. Though, I don't think that Grace likes me so much," "Well, I wouldn't worry about that too much. And I hate to break it to you, but I'm the only one that really maters." "Very true, but, I think that I still think your family is great." We kissed.
As we approached my house I asked Eli if he wanted to go out tomorrow for a picnic. "Is, I'd love to, but, I have to practice with the guys." A little disappointed I said, "Oh, okay." "Don't get me wrong I'd love to go." "Eli, don't' worry about it. It's okay, I know how much your music means to you." "You sure?" Positive." "Okay." He walked me to my door and we kissed. When we pulled apart he said, "Well, maybe we can have an early dinner." "I can't I work." "Alright I'll just call then." I nodded. He kissed me again then left.
The next morning when I walked into the kitchen my parents were sitting on the kitchen table. My dad was drinking coffee and reading the paper, while my mom was drinking her regular tea. "Good Morning Mom and Dad. How was Europe?" I asked as I poured myself a cup of coffee. My dad looked up from his paper and said, "Good, I got a lot of work done." "That's good Daddy. Oh, Mom, what's was it you wanted to talk to me about?" My mom looked at my strangely then said, "Oh, that's right! Your father and I have something to tell you." I sat down at the table. My mom looked at my dad, "Jasper, why don't you tell her?" "Cassandra." "Alright. Isabel, your father and I are going to spend a few months in Europe." "Why? I mean you were just there." "Well, we're thinking about buying a house there." "But, what about me?" "You'll stay here of course." "Of course. When do you leave?" "A month from tomorrow." "A month?" Now it was my father's turn to talk. " Now, Isabel, don't be upset. We know that you love living in Chicago. Besides you've got that boy now, Edward." "Eli." "Right, right Eli. Don't worry, we'll be back before you know it." "Fine. I've got to get ready for work." I went upstairs and started to get ready for work.
During the month before my parents were to leave Eli and I got closer, but we realized that we also had our differences. Eli spent more and more time with his band and work. If not those things he'd be at home, and if not at home, he'd be with me. Somehow we managed that month. However, three days before my parents were to leave Eli and I had our first argument. Don't ask me what it's about, because neither of us remembers. We did make up and that brought us closer. The day that my parents left I stayed at work until an hour before they were to leave. I got home and saw their entire luggage in the hallway. "Mom, Dad?" My mom came down the stair and gave me "the talk" about leaving me alone in the house without someone, and to be careful about parties. Then my dad came in and told me to be good such. Eli came just as I was helping them put their luggage in the car. We helped them finish loading the car and then they were off. I couldn't believe it. My parents were gone for a few months or longer and I not only had the house to myself, but a boyfriend that could lead to a whole other direction.