I started to get nervous as I recognized the outskirts of Wisconsin from
the plane. We were almost there now and there was no turning back. I stole
a glance at Jordan sitting next to me, flipping through a magazine,
pretending to be interested but I could tell she was feeling anxious too.
She must have known we were almost there as well.
She caught me staring and smiled "What are you looking at?" she teased.
"Promise me you'll still love me if this weekend is horrible" I said trying to grin and pretend like I wasn't kidding about that.
"Of course I'll still love you, but will you still love me if your mom doesn't approve? You are the Boy Scout farm boy and I can't imagine you letting your mother down. Won't they kick you out of the troop for that?" she said trying desperately to hold back a chuckle.
"Ha Ha, very funny" I answered then brushed my hand across her cheek and stared at her seriously. "I will always love you Jordan, no matter what" I said seriously.
She smiled back "Well we'll just see about that"
I decided to take it easy on Jordan and get Calvin to pick us up from the airport rather than have my parents pick us up. I didn't think the introduction would go that smoothly if I trapped her in the car in front of the parental review board.
We saw everyone sitting out front on the porch, awaiting our arrival as we pulled up in front of the house.
Jordan turned toward me, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Woody, who is that? You don't have any sisters," she said directing my attention to the girl sitting with my parents.
I had already noticed Annie sitting there but I didn't think it would be wise to tell Jordan how close my ex-girlfriend was and still is to my family until I had to.
"Oh yeah I guess I forgot to tell you, that's Annie. She and my parents are still close." I said feigning innocence.
"Ann...Annie? Your ex-girlfriend you were going to marry? Are you freaking kidding me Woody?"
I just smiled in response, she smiled back then jabbed me sharply in the ribs with her elbow.
"Yeah I'll bet you forgot," she hissed.
My parents and Annie were now making their way over to us. I took a deep breath and rubbed my now tender ribs before opening the door.
"Ready?" I whispered to Jordan.
She shot me an angry glare in return "To kill you, yes" she grumbled.
"I love you," I said as I took her hand and stepped out of the cab. She returned the sentiment by squeezing my hand in a death grip. I repositioned my fingers so she wouldn't break them.
My parents took turns hugging me while Jordan stood nervously by my side probably hoping they just wouldn't ever take notice of her. I looked back at her and saw her looking Annie over; I had to smile at that.
I wrapped one arm protectively around her waist. "Mom, Dad, Annie, this is my girlfriend Jordan"
I held my breath as I watched Jordan shifting uncomfortably as my parents and Annie sized her up. I was waiting for some snide remark and maybe a few choice curse words from Jordan at this invasive scrutinizing but thankfully none came.
"Well it's nice to finally put a face with a name" was all my mom said
"Let's get you kids inside" My dad suggested taking Jordan's bag from her. He leaned over to her and whispered "Don't worry honey, she's all bark and no bite" he smiled reassuringly.
Jordan smiled back at him, unconvinced.
"So I thought we'd put you in your old room and Jordan in the guest room" My mom said cunningly.
Jordan just looked at me with raised eyebrows, trying no to laugh at my Mom's old-fashioned ways.
"Mom, we live together" I answered, stating the obvious.
She looked us both over then replied "Well I know that Woodrow, but there's just not much room in your old room and besides the people around here don't know your business and I see no good reason to give them something to talk about"
Now Jordan was really fighting to stifle a chuckle. I just rolled my eyes.
"That's okay I thought we'd just stay in a motel anyway, less trouble. Hey does that motel down on 29 still rent by the hour?" I replied in blatant mocking of my holier than thou mother.
My dad laughed out loud and Mom shot him an evil look, I smiled in triumph.
She regarded me sternly, looking like she was about to ask me to go outside and break a switch off the tree so she could whip me with it. Instead she flashed me one of her patented, sugar sweet, fake, in front of company smiles and said "You always were a smart alec Woody"
I thought I'd better pacify her with a little damage control before I smart mouthed away any hope of her ever liking Jordan.
"No really Mom, I just thought it would be easier for us to stay in a hotel so we don't disrupt your routine"
She seemed to accept that. The look of sheer relief on Jordan's face that we wouldn't be staying in my parents' house was almost comical. I had to bite my lip to hold back a smile.
She caught me staring and smiled "What are you looking at?" she teased.
"Promise me you'll still love me if this weekend is horrible" I said trying to grin and pretend like I wasn't kidding about that.
"Of course I'll still love you, but will you still love me if your mom doesn't approve? You are the Boy Scout farm boy and I can't imagine you letting your mother down. Won't they kick you out of the troop for that?" she said trying desperately to hold back a chuckle.
"Ha Ha, very funny" I answered then brushed my hand across her cheek and stared at her seriously. "I will always love you Jordan, no matter what" I said seriously.
She smiled back "Well we'll just see about that"
I decided to take it easy on Jordan and get Calvin to pick us up from the airport rather than have my parents pick us up. I didn't think the introduction would go that smoothly if I trapped her in the car in front of the parental review board.
We saw everyone sitting out front on the porch, awaiting our arrival as we pulled up in front of the house.
Jordan turned toward me, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Woody, who is that? You don't have any sisters," she said directing my attention to the girl sitting with my parents.
I had already noticed Annie sitting there but I didn't think it would be wise to tell Jordan how close my ex-girlfriend was and still is to my family until I had to.
"Oh yeah I guess I forgot to tell you, that's Annie. She and my parents are still close." I said feigning innocence.
"Ann...Annie? Your ex-girlfriend you were going to marry? Are you freaking kidding me Woody?"
I just smiled in response, she smiled back then jabbed me sharply in the ribs with her elbow.
"Yeah I'll bet you forgot," she hissed.
My parents and Annie were now making their way over to us. I took a deep breath and rubbed my now tender ribs before opening the door.
"Ready?" I whispered to Jordan.
She shot me an angry glare in return "To kill you, yes" she grumbled.
"I love you," I said as I took her hand and stepped out of the cab. She returned the sentiment by squeezing my hand in a death grip. I repositioned my fingers so she wouldn't break them.
My parents took turns hugging me while Jordan stood nervously by my side probably hoping they just wouldn't ever take notice of her. I looked back at her and saw her looking Annie over; I had to smile at that.
I wrapped one arm protectively around her waist. "Mom, Dad, Annie, this is my girlfriend Jordan"
I held my breath as I watched Jordan shifting uncomfortably as my parents and Annie sized her up. I was waiting for some snide remark and maybe a few choice curse words from Jordan at this invasive scrutinizing but thankfully none came.
"Well it's nice to finally put a face with a name" was all my mom said
"Let's get you kids inside" My dad suggested taking Jordan's bag from her. He leaned over to her and whispered "Don't worry honey, she's all bark and no bite" he smiled reassuringly.
Jordan smiled back at him, unconvinced.
"So I thought we'd put you in your old room and Jordan in the guest room" My mom said cunningly.
Jordan just looked at me with raised eyebrows, trying no to laugh at my Mom's old-fashioned ways.
"Mom, we live together" I answered, stating the obvious.
She looked us both over then replied "Well I know that Woodrow, but there's just not much room in your old room and besides the people around here don't know your business and I see no good reason to give them something to talk about"
Now Jordan was really fighting to stifle a chuckle. I just rolled my eyes.
"That's okay I thought we'd just stay in a motel anyway, less trouble. Hey does that motel down on 29 still rent by the hour?" I replied in blatant mocking of my holier than thou mother.
My dad laughed out loud and Mom shot him an evil look, I smiled in triumph.
She regarded me sternly, looking like she was about to ask me to go outside and break a switch off the tree so she could whip me with it. Instead she flashed me one of her patented, sugar sweet, fake, in front of company smiles and said "You always were a smart alec Woody"
I thought I'd better pacify her with a little damage control before I smart mouthed away any hope of her ever liking Jordan.
"No really Mom, I just thought it would be easier for us to stay in a hotel so we don't disrupt your routine"
She seemed to accept that. The look of sheer relief on Jordan's face that we wouldn't be staying in my parents' house was almost comical. I had to bite my lip to hold back a smile.
