Here's another part. Hopefully everyone likes it because I'm on my way out of town for a few days so the next part will have to wait. I changed the ending because I was having a hard time picking up the story where I left it
"I've decided that I want to give this a chance."
He smiled and walked to where she was standing. Slowly his arms wrapped around her waist and he pulled her towards him.
"I hoped you were going to say that Joan." He whispered
Bending his head, his lips were about to brush hers when she pulled back.
"What about you?"
"What about me Joan?"
"I mean are you…you know."
He unwrapped his arms from around her waist.
"Meet me in the park tomorrow."
"Why?"
"Just do it."
He stepped back and turned around. Walking down the street, he gave his signature wave. Joan watched him until he disappeared into the night. Slowly Joan turned and started walking back towards her house. As she walked down the street, a voice whispered
"Good night Joan. I love you."
Smiling to herself, Joan whispered
"I love you too."
Next Morning
Joan walked into the kitchen to see her family gathered around the table. Helen looked up.
"You're up and dressed on a Saturday?"
"Is there something wrong with that?"
"No, it just never happened before." Helen said, "Are you hungry? I can make some more eggs."
"No thanks" she said, "I think I'm going to go to the park for a while."
She saw her family exchange looks.
"What?"
Before anyone could say anything, the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it since I'm up."
She turned and walked down the hall. Opening the front door, she found him on the porch.
"What are you doing here?" she said, "I thought we were going to meet at the park."
"Couldn't wait to see you." He said, "I have something to show you."
"What is it?"
He stepped forward, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"What are you doing?" she whispered, looking over her shoulder at the kitchen.
"Trust me."
He pulled her towards him. Taking her hand in his, he placed it on his chest. Joan felt the steady rhythm of a heartbeat. Her eyes widened.
'He's…he's alive'
Joan threw her arms around his neck, closing the distance between them. He pulled back slightly, then leaned forward, brushing his lips against hers. Joan started to pull away but he tightened his arms around her and sought to deep the kiss, which Joan eagerly responded too.
"Am I interrupting something?"
Joan pulled back, turning quickly to see her father standing in the doorway leading to the kitchen.
"Dad…I…we…this…"
"I am sure there is a good reason why this young man, who I have never met before, was practically mauling my daughter in our doorway."
He loosened his arm from around Joan's waist and stepped forward, extending his hand.
"I'm sorry Mr. Gerardi." He said, "I'm Michael Johnson, Joan's boyfriend."
Will stared at his outstretched hand and after a moment, Michael pulled his hand back. A couple minutes later Helen walked out of the kitchen.
"Will what's going on…" she began, then stopped when she saw her husband, daughter and an unidentified young man standing in the living room.
Will turned to his wife.
"Helen, meet our daughter's boyfriend Michael Johnson."
Michael stepped forward, extending his hand once again.
"Its nice to meet you Mrs. Gerardi."
Helen shook his hand, glancing at her husband. When she saw the look in his eyes, she released Michael's hand and stepped between them. Looking at her parents, Joan turned to Michael.
"Why don't you wait for me outside?"
"All right Joan."
He turned and walked towards the front door. After he stepped outside and closed the door, Joan turned back to her parents. Before she had a chance to say anything, Will started
"Where did you meet him? How long has this been going on? When were you planning on telling us?"
"I met Michael a couple months ago. We just started going our recently and I was going to tell you."
"Too late." Helen said, "You should have told us about him Joan. We shouldn't have to find out that you have a boyfriend when he shows up in our living room."
"I'm sorry mom. I'm sorry dad." She said, "But Michael is a really nice person."
"Have him come back inside."
"What?" Joan said
"I want to talk to him."
"But dad we were…"
"Now Joan"
"Now?." Joan squeaked
"Is there a problem with that?" Will asked
"No, I'll…I'll go get him."
"Good."
Joan stood there for a minute.
"Now Joan." He said
Joan moved towards the door while her parents headed towards the living room. She opened the door and stepped outside to see Michael leaning against the railing.
"Is everything all right Joan?"
"Fine." She said, "My parents want to talk to you."
He nodded.
"I figured this was going to happen." He said, "Let's go."
"Let's go? Do you know what my father is going to do?"
"We're going to talk Joan."
They turned and started to walk inside when Joan stopped, grabbing his arm.
"What's wrong Joan?"
"What are we going to tell them about us?"