Ruth jumps when the phone rings.
"Damn it," Harry says gruffly. He pushes his chair back and answers the phone. "Hi Catherine. How are you?" "I'd love to see you. Tonight's not good. My girlfriend is here for dinner." "Yes, you'll meet her one day." "Listen, we're having a barbeque here on Saturday. Why don't you come?" "I'm glad you're home, Catherine. I love you." Harry comes and sits back down at the table.
"You know if Catherine wanted to come over tonight I could have gone home after dinner. Your daughter is just as important as I am." Ruth says firmly.
"I know that, Ruth. Catherine didn't want to come tonight. She just got back from Israel today. I'll see her Saturday at the barbeque. She said she wanted to meet you. What do you think about meeting her on Saturday before the barbeque?" Harry asks as he ladles wonton soup into two bowls.
"I think you need to spend some time just you and Catherine. Besides, this relationship is relatively new. Don't you want to wait until we're more settled to introduce me to your daughter?" Ruth asks with concern in her voice. She's worried about meeting Harry's daughter.
"Ruth, I wouldn't have asked you to meet Catherine if I didn't think we were ready or if I didn't think we were going to make it. Catherine has always been critical of my love life. She always thought that I would be better off if I was in a stable relationship. I've talked to her about you. I really think she'd like to meet you." Harry says calmly.
"if you really want me to meet Catherine on Saturday then I will. It seems to be very important to you." Ruth sips her soup.
"It's important to me because you and Catherine are very important to me. I want the two of you to get along. Catherine hates when I keep secrets from her, so the sooner the two of you meet the better." Harry watches Ruth sip her green tea.
Ruth smiles and reaches across the table for Harry's hand. "If this is that important to you and you feel this strongly about me meeting Catherine, I'll be here early on Saturday."
"Good, I am glad you're meeting Catherine. I'm sure the two of you will get along wonderfully. You've got a lot in common." Harry tells Ruth.