Family Ties

“We’re wrapping up,” Harold said with a nod.

She smiled and disappeared toward the kitchen.

He returned his attention to me and assumed his I’m-her-father expression.

I did my best not to fidget.

“I enjoyed meeting you,” he said.

My head came up in surprise.

“I didn’t think I would, but I did. I’m still not sure I approve of you dating Birdy, but my wife is fond of pointing out that she can make her own decisions.”

“I hope I’m a good one.”

“I’m willing to give you the chance.” He gestured at the note in my hand.

“I still wish you’d consider the Navy, but I understand that maybe your father wanted you to study mathematics and philosophy.”

“I think he did— does.”

“As long as you take care of Birdy and make her happy…”

“See that you do.” He smiled and we stood.

I almost said, “Dismissed!” But I decided that teasing my girlfriend’s father was probably something I should ease into, rather than jump with both feet.

She couldn’t decide if our expressions were good or bad.

“Relax, Birdy,” her father said. “I’ll give him a chance.”

Christy rushed into his arms. “Oh, Daddy! I knew you’d like him!” She released her hug, but he kept his arm around her protectively.

Anne glanced at him and then pointedly at me.

I smothered a smile.

“Oh, right,” he said. He lifted his arm from around Christy’s shoulders, and she moved to my side. “I’m not ready to give her away, mind, but you can look out for her in Tennessee. You seem to be doing a good job so far.”

“Why, thank you… Harold.”

“He does that very well, doesn’t he?” Anne said with a grin. “You can almost hear the ‘sir.’”

He nodded. “Like he wants to impress me.”

“What a novel idea.”

“Thank you very much for inviting me,” I said. “And this probably isn’t the best time, but I want to apologize for… you know. We really didn’t mean to fall asleep together. And then Rich… well… yeah.”

“You handled yourself well,” Harold said. “You shouldn’t’ve been in the situation in the first place—”

“Right you are,” Harold said. “So… see that it doesn’t happen again.”

“Not a chance,” I said, as earnestly as I could.

“Oh, Harold,” Anne said. “Be nice. He’s trying to apologize.”

She jumped and looked at her watch. “Time. Oh, dear! We’re going to be late.”

“Then let’s get a move on,” he said. “Paul, help me with the luggage?”

I turned to the row of suitcases along the kitchen wall and pulled up short.

“Um… sorry?” Christy said in a guilty voice. “I couldn’t fit everything in the ones I brought.”

Her father and I shared a look.

“Son, if you can keep up with her wardrobe, you’re a better man than I.”

“Not a chance,” I said again, as earnestly as before.

Christy’s parents parked the car and walked with us into the airport terminal.

We chatted in line until we reached the check-in counter. Christy shot me a guilty look as she remembered the near-fiasco on the trip out, but we didn’t have any problems this time.

We checked our suitcases, took our boarding passes, and walked a little way toward our gate. Christy’s parents hugged and kissed her and said goodbye. Harold shook my hand, and Anne gave me a long hug.

“Be good to her,” she whispered. “She really likes you.”

We lingered a bit longer, until I looked at my watch and gave Harold a little nod. Then we said our final goodbyes and Christy and I shouldered our carry-on bags.

We made it to our gate with time to spare and settled in to wait for the start of boarding. Christy couldn’t decide whether to be happy that her family and I had gotten along well or sad that we were leaving. I decided to take things another direction entirely.

“What would you think if I joined the Navy?” I asked.

“Why? Are you thinking about it?”

“Part of me does,” I admitted. “I mean, I grew up thinking my father was the coolest guy in the world. Wanted to be just like him. You know how it is with boys.”

“So yeah, I think it’d be cool to be a Navy pilot, the best of the best.”

“But you’d have to give up architecture.”

“And you’re so good at it!”

“Thanks. I think so too. But I think I’d be a good pilot too. Still…”

“I’d have to give up everything I’ve worked for.”

“I think you’d make a great pilot,” she said, although her heart didn’t seem to be in it.

“But you’re such a fantastic architect.”

“Then let me ask you a different question.”

The gate agent came over the PA and announced the start of boarding for regular passengers.

“Hold that thought,” I said. Ten minutes later we were settled in our seats on the plane, so I picked up the thread of the conversation. “Okay, where were we? Right. Let me ask you a different question,” I repeated.