Chapter 4: Air Supply and Boston Cream Pie

About ten minutes later, the Los Vegas skyline was in the far distance. Suddenly, Jay turns on the radio, and what Chloe hears makes her heart skip a beat.

"This is Sensual Susan taking requests and dedications, and it looks as though we have a caller. What can I do for you tonight, Jay?"

"Omigod! That's you, isn't it?" Chloe exclaims as Jay hushes her by putting his index finger up to his lips.

"Well, Susan, I have a very special woman in my life, and I thought a certain song would be the perfect way to tell her how I feel."

"What song did you have in mind?"

"'Just as I am' by Air Supply."

"I've never heard that song before." Cloe said under her breath.

"All right, and does this 'very special woman' have a name."

"Chloe."

"O.K, Chloe, I hope you are listening tonight."

When the song started to repeat the chorus, Jay took Chloe's hand and started singing along. She felt as though she was going to melt right there in the car. When the song ended, he kissed the back of her hand, set it gently in her lap, and then turned off the radio. Chloe just sat there, not knowing what to say, do, or even think. Tears were streaming down her check, and she reached into her handbag for a handkerchief. The car was silent for the rest of the ride. But it was not that awkward silence that permeates most of the space and time of most dates. This was a more contemplative silence, a chance for Jay to see how Chloe is reacting and for Chloe to adjust to the shock of what she had just experienced.

About an hour after they left the restaurant, Jay pulled into what looks like a gravel driveway. They pull up to a small house with a couple of old clunkers in the driveway and pathway leading to what Chloe assumed was the backyard. Chloe notices the porch light come on, the door open, and a lady who looks to be in her sixties stand in the doorway. She has white hair that is tied up in a bun and is wearing a blouse and slacks. Jay stops the car, gets out, runs to Chloe's side, and helps her out. He gently puts his arm around her as they walk up to the house.

"Mom, this is Chloe." Jay said when they finally reach the front porch.

"So I finally get to meet you." The old woman says as she hugs Chloe. "I feel like I know you already. Jay speaks of little else." Jay blushed.

"Isn't she as beautiful as I told you, Mom? If we got married, you'd have one of the prettiest daughters-in-law in the galaxy." Now Chloe blushed.

"Well, come on in, you two." Mrs. Felger said as she opened the screen door. "Chloe's

d-" Jay does the cut-off gesture. "Sorry, Jay. Chloe's surprise is still caught in traffic, but he said to dig in without him." Just then, a man that Chloe knew very well appeared at the door.

"Daddy?"

"Hey, Pumpkin." (to Jay and Mrs. Felger)"Sorry, but I got lost. I hope y'all didn't wait for me." He hugs Chloe so tight that her feet leave the floor.

"No, sir. Chloe and I have just gotten her. May I have a word with you in the den?"

"Certianly, Son." Mr. McKellow was a tall and thin man with silver hair and a thick beard. He had deep southern accent and a gentlemanly way of carrying himself.

"Chloe, would you mind helping me in the kitchen while the men have their little chat?"

"Not at all, m'am." Chloe said regressing to her southern accent. (She had trained herself to talk without the accent to make herself sound more educated at SGC.)

A few minutes late, everyone congregated around the kitchen table and ate Boston cream pie, Jay favorite dessert. Chloe and her father teased the Felgers about being "damn Yankees", and the Felgers teased back, reminding their guests that their side won the war.

"Alrighty, now." Jay said as he calmed down his laughter. "Chloe, why don't you and I go for walk."

"You kids just can't wait to get away from us old farts, can you?" Mrs. Felger teased.

"Nope." Jay replied.