Telling the Family

Wednesday, March 6, 1991-6:35 P.M.

State Road 29, Winnetka, Illinois

(Christine's PoV:)

It's close to sunset by the time Mom, Fred, and I get back into Winnetka. Rush hour traffic and several minor traffic accidents caused a small delay in getting back home. Fred is asleep in the back, my mind is still processing what occurred at the vet's office, and Mom has her eyes on the road.

I notice Mom checks the digital clock on the dashboard and says, "Damn, I didn't realize it was this late… Normally, I have dinner ready around this time for your Father and siblings," That's when she sees the flashing yellow sign, shaped like a big chicken, with flashing red letters that read,"The Clucking Chicken". "It's been awhile, since the family had fried chicken." she mutters, as she pulls the station wagon into the drive-thru.

"Hi. Welcome to The Clucking Chicken, where the chicken is clucking good. How may I help you?" the female voice speaks from the speaker.

Mom gives her order, after giving the large menu a quick glance over, "Hi, I would like to order the 24-piece chicken and biscuits meal pack,"

"OK. What would you like for your four sides?"

Mom turns towards me and asks, "Any special side you want, Christine?"

I reply, "Broccoli and cheese casserole would be great, if they have it,"

Mom turns back toward the speaker and says, "Potato wedges, coleslaw, corn on the cob, and, if you have it, broccoli and cheese casserole as the sides,"

"We do. Would you like anything to drink or any dessert to go with your meal?"

Mom speaks, "Rhubarb pie for dessert. Nothing to drink,"

"Does that complete your order?"

Mom replies, "Yes,"

"Your total is $18.82. Please pull around,"

Mom pulls around the red and yellow barn-shaped building. There's a car ahead of us. "It looks like we'll be waiting in line for a bit, Christine," Mom centers her attention onto me. "You know, I've been wondering what the hold up was back at Dr. Glade's office. Care to enlighten me about the reason you stayed behind in the exam area, long after Fred and I departed?"

Oh boy. I knew this was coming… I'm not ready to tell her about Dr. Glade asking me out, but I don't want to create any tension between us, either. I reply, "Can I tell you during dinner? I want the rest of the family to hear what I have to say," It looks like I'm spending the night at my parents' house.

Mom has a big grin on her face. "It must be something really important, if it has to be said in front of the entire family. OK, it can wait, until we get home,"

I smile. "Thanks, Mom," Mom pulls up to the window, to pay for and pick up the food she ordered…

Time Skip…

Wednesday, March 6, 1991-7:05 P.M.

McCallister House-Kitchen

Winnetka, Illinois

(Christine's PoV:)

"Finally, we're home," Mom sighs in relief, pulling the station wagon into the garage. I can't help but agree; it's been a long, exciting day.

Mom lets Fred loose, as he quickly makes a run for the backdoor. He jumps through his doggy door to get inside the house. Mom and I carry the food inside, after she unlocks and opens the backdoor.

"Peter! Kids! I'm home! Christine's here, and I brought home some takeout for dinner!" Mom yells, once we get inside the house and place the food on the counter. Fred is at his dish, drinking some water.

"I'm glad you're home, Kate. The kids and I have been worried about you," I hear Dad speak, entering the kitchen from the dining room, before giving Mom a kiss on the lips.

Mom smiles. "Sorry about not getting home sooner, and for not having dinner ready on time. The traffic was horrible coming back from the vet's office in Rock Creek,"

"It's OK, Katie," Dad smiles, as he turns his focus onto me. "Hi, Christine. It makes me very happy, whenever I see you. So, how have you been doing, sweetheart?" Dad gives me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

I smile. "Things have been really great, Daddy," I think about Dr. Glade asking me out, while I dump my dirty laundry down the chute.

"That's good to hear, Christine. Is that fried chicken I smell, Kate?" Dad asks, taking a sniff.

"Yes, Peter," Mom replies to Dad, before addressing me, "Christine, could you help me set the table?" I nod, heading to the fridge. I grab some Pepsis, while Mom grabs the plates, cups, and silverware. "Peter, could you see what's taking the rest of our children so long please?" Mom asks Dad, while Mom and I set the table. Dad hollers for the rest of my siblings to get downstairs.

"Fried chicken. Yes!" Buzz cheers, as he high-fives me, before sitting down.

The rest of my siblings smother me with hugs and kisses, before taking their places at the table. Kevin, being the most excited out of the bunch. I lift him off the floor, give him a big hug, and a double smooch on both cheeks.

"Linnie, could you say the blessing please?" Dad asks.

"Sure, Dad," Linnie replies, as my hands join Mom and Linnie's. "Thank you, Lord, for the wonderful meal that we're about to feast on, and that our entire family is happy and whole. Amen."

"Amen," everyone replies, making the sign of the cross.

Everyone begins fixing their plates, as Dad asks Mom, "So, what did the vet say about Fred?" He piles some chicken and some sides onto his plate.

"He's healthy, except for the weight gain. So, kids, no more table scraps for Fred. If I catch any of you giving him scraps, consider no allowance for a month. Are we clear?" Mom tells everyone, before taking a bite of casserole.

My siblings nod, while Fred looks pissed about not getting table scraps. "Speaking of the vet's office, I think Christine has something to share about why she lingered in the exam area so long, don't you, Christine?" Mom smirks, while Dad and my siblings are looking at me, confused.

"What's your Mother talking about, Christine?" Dad asks me, curiously, while cutting up a piece of chicken.

'Thanks a lot for putting me on the spot, Mom. This wasn't the way I planned on telling the family that Dr. Glade asked me out…' I think to myself.

"Well, Mom and Dad, Dr. Glade asked me out on a date, and I said 'yes'," I garble together, while my heart is racing.

"What was that, sweetheart?" Mom asks. "Please repeat what you said more slowly and clearly,"

I slowly speak, "Dr. Glade asked me out on a date, and I told him 'yes'. He wants to take me out for dinner and maybe see a movie…" My cheeks are feeling hot and flushed, for the millionth time today.

Everyone's reaction to the news is interesting. Mom does a fist pump, as if a wish of hers came true; the twins squeal and quickly start gossiping between themselves; Jeff and Buzz both offer their congratulations.

Kevin, however, isn't showing any emotion. He's just vacantly staring at me, nibbling on a potato wedge.

Unknown to me and the rest of the family, Kevin is feeling jealous and angry, as if he's been stabbed in the back. Dad is quiet, too, which scares me.

"Very funny, Christine, but I know for a fact that Dr. Ross Glade is happily married, with four children," Dad finally speaks, chuckling. It hurts that Dad thinks this is a joke.

Mom doesn't waste any time to quickly correct Dad, "The joke's on you, Rabbit," Mom tells him, looking smug at Dad. At least Mom is on my side…

Dad raises an eyebrow, grinning. "Really? Care to enlighten me, Katie?"

Mom's smirk becomes more pronounced. "Well, you see, Rabbit, you're forgetting Ross's son is also a vet. Ross is also sick with the flu, so he wasn't working today. I'm sure you can figure out the rest,"

Dad's grin turns into a look of disbelief. "William asked you out on a date?" Dad asks me. The way he phrases it, kind of hurts. Mom must've noticed it, as well, because she's glaring daggers at Dad.

"He did. He even gave me his phone number," I reply, blushing.

"I'm happy for you, pumpkin," Dad smiles. Dad may look happy on the outside, but unknown to anyone, his eyes show the denial, the fear of losing me again, and not wanting to let go.

"Thank you, Dad," I'm trying to hide the hurt I feel about the way Kevin and Dad are both acting.

Mom chimes in, smiling, "I had a feeling something was going on, but I wasn't sure what, exactly. However, I just wanted to say that I'm happy for you, Christine, and I'm looking forward to the day, when you introduce William to the family,"

"Thanks, Mom," I reply, blushing.

"Kate, you're putting the cart before the horse. Christine hasn't even had her first date with Will, and you're talking about her introducing him to the family? For all we know, their first date might turn out to be a dud that goes nowhere," Dad chimes in. I look down, feeling even more hurt at Dad's words; especially the part about the date being a dud. Does Dad want me to be happy? Kevin chuckling doesn't help matters any, either.

Mom quickly rises to my defense, "First of all, Kevin, I suggest you stop laughing, unless you want to spend the rest of your Spring Break grounded," Kevin gives Mom and I a sour look. Mom then turns to face Dad, glaring, "And, you, Peter George McCallister, stop being such a stick in the mud, and try to be more supportive about the happy moment that happened to our daughter today."

"Yes, dear," Dad replies, defensibly, focusing on his dinner.

The rest of dinner passes quietly. After finishing my pie and ice cream that Mom severed for dessert, I excuse myself from the table, so I can call William.

"I'll make sure you have some privacy, Christine," Mom smiles, getting up from the table. The rest of my siblings clean up the dishes.

"I appreciate it, Mom," I smile back, before leaving the kitchen.

"Peter, I want you to help me with Christine's laundry. I think we need to have a little talk about your behavior tonight," Mom drags Dad down to the basement. I know he's going to get an earful…

Wednesday, March 6, 1991-8:05 P.M.

McCallister House-Den

Grabbing the cordless phone off the charger that's next to the television, I plop myself down on the sofa. My hand shakes nervously, dialing the number that William wrote down on the piece of paper. My stomach is full of butterflies, as the phone rings.

'I can't believe this is happening…' I think to myself.

My stomach is as tight as a knot, once I hear William speak, "Hello?"

"Hey, William. This is Christine McCallister. I'm the girl you saw with my Mother, Kate, and her Collie, Fred. You asked me out," Oh my god… That came out wrong! I begin blushing.

"Hey, Red. What can I do for you?" I sequal on the inside, when he calls me "Red".

"Well, I was just wondering if you're not busy… I would love to have dinner and get to know you this weekend, if you're still interested?" I'm testing to see if he was being serious about asking me out.

"Absolutely. How about Saturday at 7:30?"My heart is pounding now.

"I can do that," I can't believe this is happening…

"Great! How about I pick you up at your Mom's house, if that's OK?"

"That would be great, William. I'll see you Saturday!" I hang up the phone. The excitement increases in my stomach, once I was realize I'll be seeing William this weekend. I run to the kitchen, to share the news with the rest of the family…

END

Rock Creek isn't a real town. It's a fictional place I made up for this story.

State Road 29 is a fictional highway that I also made up.