Bluebonnet
Ican’t count how many times I’ve had Sunday dinner at Parker’s house, but today, I’m nervous. My hair won’t stay in a ponytail. My dress is wrinkled, and I feel as bloated as a decomposing whale.
Parker pokes his head into the bedroom. “Everything okay?”
Normally, I’m ready to go in less than a half hour, but I’ve been changing and fretting over how I look for more than an hour. “I’m not sure what to wear.”
“That dress is pretty, but choose whatever is comfortable. I’m in shorts. The weather is nice. Didn’t Mom say Dad was grilling burgers?”
The image of a juicy burger makes me smile. “You’re right.” I shoo him out and dig out the last pair of shorts that still fits me. After changing, I pull on shoes and walk out to the living room. “I’m ready.”
His gaze slides up my legs. “You look great.”
“I’m nervous.”
“About?” He clasps my hand as we walk to the truck.
His parents were at the wedding. All of his sisters came into town. No one acted like they weren’t happy about our marriage, so logically, there is no reason today shouldn’t go smoothly. But maybe the logic in my brain is fueled by coffee because right now it’s absent. Without reason, I’m worried things will be awkward at his parents’ house.
And now I have to say it out loud. “Visiting your parents. At least it won’t be all about me. When your sister shows up, they’ll be so excited.”
He opens the truck and waits until I’m in my seat, then pulls out his phone. “Look at what Mom texted me earlier.” It’s a photo of a giant jar of pickles. “Who do you think she bought those for?”
“I guess I shouldn’t be nervous.”
“My family loves you. It won’t be awkward. What would’ve been awkward is if there wasn’t enough food, so your idea about buying extra was super smart.” He drops grocery bags into the back seat. “And because everyone there knows about the baby, you don’t have to act like you feel fine when you don’t.” After a quick kiss on my forehead, he closes the door.
“I hadn’t thought of that.”
When we pull in the driveway, his mom walks out the front door. “Y’all made it. He just put the burgers on, so it shouldn’t be long until we eat.” She wraps me in a hug. “You always felt like part of the family, and now it’s official.”
It’s not uncommon for Parker’s parents to have him over for Sunday dinner. And when his sisters still lived nearby, everyone would be over. Often, I was here too. But this time, they invited just Parker and me, which makes sense because we’re the only ones in town. But his mom’s words make this feel more like a celebration of my new life and my role in the family.
“Y’all have always been great, which is why I showed up all the time.”
“And we loved it. Come on in.” She waves her hand as she walks through to the kitchen. “Make yourself comfortable wherever. Dad is outside, and oh!” She shoos Parker toward the door. “Give us a minute.”
He shoots me a questioning glance, and I nod. Then he walks out the back door.
“It’s not a big deal, but you’ve always called me Mrs. Fields. Now that you’re my daughter-in-law, what if we change that? You can call me Sarah and Mr. Fields Drew or if you’re comfortable, you can call us Mom and Dad. Or a mix. Whatever feels right.”
“You’re really happy about us getting married even though—you know?”
“We’re really happy.” She pulls me into another hug, and it’s clear where Paisley gets her huggy gene.
While my relationship with my dad is far from perfect, I know he loves me, and it feels weird to call someone else Dad. But Mrs. Fields has been more of a mom to me for as long as I can remember. “I’d like to call you Mom. But I think I’d be more comfortable calling him Drew. He won’t mind, will he?”
“Of course not.” She rubs my arm. “I’m honored.” After a few beats of silence, she adds, “I bumped into your mother just before she left town. That was the happiest I ever saw her.”
“She didn’t like it here.” My mother didn’t like a lot of things, me included. It hurts to admit it, but now that I have a family where I belong, it’s bit easier to face that truth.
Parker steps inside. “I heard a car. Who else is coming?”
Mom scrunches up her nose. “We only invited you two. But we have plenty. So whoever it is can stay.”
He winks as he strides to the door.
I’m glad Paisley didn’t wait long because the extra food is still in the truck.
