Pre-dinner drinks? I’d never heard of those in a private home, but then again, how many private homes had I ever been in?
Alex
As soon as we stepped into the drawing room, voices rang out as Alex’s family all stood up to welcome him back home. I stood apart to give them time to greet each other. It also gave me a chance to observe them for a few seconds.
Mr. Turner was a big burly man and clearly the main donator of Alex’s big guy genes. He had a loud boisterous laugh but an intimidating presence nonetheless. He clapped Alex hard on the back and said how he couldn’t wait for his son to join him at the law firm.
I tried to imagine how it felt to have a job in your father’s firm waiting for you, and failed. I was proud of Alex though. He studied harder than anyone I knew when he didn’t really need to. It wasn’t like his dad was going to withdraw the offer if Alex didn’t graduate with honors.
His mother was one of the slimmest women I’d ever seen, with a stylish bob that fell to the sides of her face. She was clearly ecstatic to see her son and she seemed to disappear in Alex’s huge arms as he hugged her.
His sister, Mary, was a carbon copy of her mom. Her bob was shorter, younger but she had the same oval face and brilliant blue eyes. Her husband, Richard was dark haired with an easy smile and manner, and clearly, he and Alex were good friends.
When Alex had done the rounds of hugging his family, he beckoned me over and draped a protective arm around me.
“Everyone, I want you to meet someone very special to me. This is my girlfriend, Charlotte Evans. Chaz, this is my father, James Turner.”
I smiled and struck out my hand. He enveloped mine in his huge one, reminding me of Alex’s handshake.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Miss Evans,” he boomed, scrutinizing me.
“This is my mother, Patricia Turner,” he said and I turned to his mother and took her small hand into mine.
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said with a smile that did not reach her eyes.
His sister was just as reserved and she gave me a tight smile but Richard, her husband was friendly enough. We all sat down on the huge cushy sofa that felt as if it could swallow a person.
“Alex, kindly pour some wine for Charlotte,” Mrs. Turner said.
I declined and opted for water. Everyone stared at me as if I’d committed a cardinal sin.
“It’s just a glass to relax you before dinner,” Mary said.
“It’s cool if she doesn’t want wine,” he said and fetched me a glass of water. He opted for water as well.
I wasn’t a prude and I loved my wine but there was time for everything and meeting my prospective in-laws was not the best time to drink alcohol. I wanted to keep a clear head and not do something that I would regret forever.
“Alex didn’t tell us much about you,” Mrs. Turner said. “Where are you from?”
This is the part I’d dreaded. But I’d given it a lot of thought and decided that I was going to be honest. If these people were going to be my family, then I had to be honest from the beginning.
“I grew up in Cleveland,” I said.
“Oh,” Mrs. Turner said. “We know a few people in Cleveland. Old friends. Maybe you know them.”
I could have laughed out aloud. There was no way we had friends in common. “I grew up in the poorest part of the city.” Silence followed my pronouncement.
They all stared at me, waiting for me to go on. I ploughed on. “My mother was an alcoholic and a drug addict, and I grew up in and out of foster care.” I glanced at Alex and he gave me an encouraging smile. “I worked hard in school and got a scholarship to culinary school.”
“That’s commendable,” Mr. Turner said.
“Yes,” Mrs. Turner agreed.
“Charlotte goes to school and works too. That doesn’t stop her from topping her class year in, year out,” he said, his voice brimming with pride.
Surely, they could see that I deserved their son. I was not afraid of hard work and Alex would never have to bear the burden of caring for the family we would have alone.
“Did Alex tell you that after law school, he’ll join the family firm here in New York?” Mrs. Turner said.
“Yes,” I said and turned to Alex. “I’ll be happy to find a job wherever Alex is.”
“How sweet,” Mary said.
“Yes,” her mother agreed but her tone did not echo the words.
I felt as if I’d failed an exam but I didn’t know which questions I’d gotten wrong. I knew the importance of maintaining a good posture to show confidence but I felt myself slumping in my chair.