“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.”
“I haven’t lived here since high school!” said Doug.
“That’s true enough,” said his mom, a quick smile flashing across her face as she sat on a club chair. “But just in case…I keep your old room clean and ready.
Eve’s too.”
Doug’s mouth opened and closed, but no sound came forth. He looked stunned.
Jen poked at him. “At a loss for words, playwright?”
“I never know what to expect,” he muttered. Finally, he stopped staring at his mom. “You can finally turn the room into that craft room you always wanted. Or a library. Or a home office. Mom…I’m okay. I’m fine. So, redecorate to your heart’s content.”
Helen glanced at Doug’s father.
“You earning a living?” asked the man, finally sitting down near his wife. “Tell me you’re earning a decent paycheck like your friends here do, and your mother will redecorate. Their folks are always bragging. I know more about their kids than about my own son.”
Doug’s folks are nothing like mine were. Where’s the warmth? The atmosphere issuch a downer!
His dad still commanded attention. “Georgie’s working for the gas company, like his dad and me. Making a steady paycheck. And Tommy Belson joined the air force, and that wasn’t an easy thing. He’s climbing the ranks. And who was that little guy, the one who skied like the wind? Well, he’s part of the Mt. Snow operation—assistant director or something big. All good boys.”
