Guess I wasn’t a great big brother.”
“Don’t beat yourself up. From what you’ve told me, you were trying to cope with some family dynamics yourself.”
“You may have a point,” he said, kissing her again. This time she blushed, and his heart filled. “Let’s go. Maybe, just maybe, it’s time to reevaluate.”
With her hand on the door, she tilted her head back to see him. “What do you mean?”
“Want to take a little detour to chez Collins?”
Her eyes widened, a grin started. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
They headed east and left the Mass Pike at the next exit. Doug had no expectations, but felt his stomach tighten. Despite his protestations to the contrary, was it possible he still sought approval from the people who should have been his natural cheerleaders? He’d thought he was beyond caring about his folks’ opinions.
“They might not even be home,” he muttered.
Jen massaged his shoulder. Sweet. “It’ll be fine,” she said. “Either they’ll confirm your beliefs, or you’ll have a happy surprise. Regardless, you won’t have to wonder anymore.”
True. “I love your analysis,” he said, “realistic with a hint of optimism. And I hope you still feel that way if this is a total bust.”
And there was the crux. He wanted Jen to know the good, the bad and the ugly.
He’d been honest in all other ways—school, career, relocation—but somehow, his family had remained hidden. He reached for her hand, and she tucked it into his.
“This time around,” he began, “I want everything in the open. Maybe you’ve never given my family a second thought. But I’m in deep with you, Jen, and now I want no secrets.”
She pulled her hand away. “I hear you, believe you, but Doug…I’m not quite ready. You’re moving too fast.”
His breath caught; his thoughts spun. Jen’s mind continued to rule her heart. Fear still nipped at her, and she clung to a safety zone. In total contradiction to when he held her in his arms. In her bed, she’d received him lovingly, with heart and soul. He breathed again.
“Take all the time you want, Henny-Penny. I’m not going anywhere.”
##
Doug drove down one of the town’s main streets, turned right for several blocks and approached the neighborhood of one-story, wood-sided homes where he grew up. He gazed at the familiar setting. As usual, some front lawns were well-tended, uniformly green and trimmed; others needed weeding. And yet other homes needed a paint job.
“It all seems both familiar and strange,” he said. “I know every street, but basically, I feel like an outsider, evaluating the area like a Realtor would. And yet, I lived here for eighteen years. A long time.”
He felt Jen’s hand on his thigh.
“I feel the same way about Woodhaven. It’s—it’s a place I used to know. Mike’s parents still live across the street from my old house.” Her voice faded. He pressed her hand to his mouth and kissed it.
“I wouldn’t imagine you enjoy visiting there.”
“I don’t, but I also don’t like to disappoint Aunt Irene and Uncle Bill,” she said,
“the senior Brennans. Fortunately, we celebrate most holidays in Boston. Mike’s brother lives in town, too.”
“Good. That’ll make it easier going forward.” He pulled to the curb a block from his parents’ home and reached for his cell phone.
“A surprise might not go over well,” he said as he connected. Then, “Hey, Dad…
Yeah, it’s Doug. I’m in the area and thought I’d stop by…”
“…Okay, ten minutes. See ya then.”
He put the phone down. “My mom’s in the shower. They’re meeting friends for dinner, so this will be a quick visit. Better that way.”
“Fair enough,” said Jen. “They have a life, too. And besides, I’m kind of hungry myself. Lunch seems like ages ago.”
On cue, her stomach rumbled. They eyed each other and burst into laughter that seemed to last forever.
“Now I know why it’s called ‘the best medicine,’” said Doug. “You can meet the parental units and then we’ll have a nice dinner. Together. Alone. Don’t even think of joining them.”
“I actually hadn’t, but now that you mention it…”
But her eyes twinkled and her grin teased. He moved toward her and cupped her face with his hands. “Come here,” he whispered, before he leaned closer and captured her mouth with his.
Her response was everything he could wish for. “Ah, Jenny, Jenny…”
She slowly pulled back, her breaths audible. “Ah, Dou-gie, Dougie, you’d better drive.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied. And though in this familiar setting, he had to admit that the old insecurities and disappointments had momentarily reared up again, suddenly, it didn’t matter at all anymore what his parents thought or did or said about him.
##
“Well, she’s a pretty one!” said Doug’s father as he opened the door. “Maybe there’s hope for you yet.”
Jen felt her smile fade.
“Dad!”
“Eddie!” came a woman’s voice.
“What? What did I say?”
Clueless. The big man looked truly confused, and Jen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“For goodness sakes, Ed. Where are your manners?” A tall, trim woman with curly dark hair came forward and offered her hand. “I’m Doug’s mom, Helen.
It’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” said Jen.
The woman turned to her son. “You doing okay?” she asked, giving him a hug.
“Sure.”
“Good.” She patted his shoulder and led them into the living room. Jen sat on one end of the upholstered sofa with Doug next to her. A few prints hung on the walls. “Doug hasn’t brought any friends by since…I don’t know, maybe since high school.”
