Chapter 5

I couldn't believe I was more nervous going to meet Tina's two teenage daughters than I have been meeting heads of companies. I wanted it to go right, my future with Tina depended on it. I had no idea what to expect. I arrive at their house. It was a beautiful home. Tina and her deceased husband had done quite well.

As I got out of the car and headed up the walkway I could hear one of the girls yell from inside the house, "He's here!" I took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. Tina opened the door and was smiling. "Come in Jeff." Her two daughters were standing there. They were two beautiful young girls, but that was no surprise since they looked like their mother.

"Jeff, these are my daughters Bev and Sue. You need to know that their bark is much worse than their bite."

Her youngest daughter Sue said, "Mom, that was so lame. We're just two girls that are intrigued about our mother's life when she was our age. Hi Mr. Adams, I'm pleased to meet you." She held out her hand for me to shake. I took her hand in both of mine and shook it lightly.

"If it's all right with you young ladies, you can call me, Jeff. I'm please to meet you Sue, and you, Bev," as I took her hand and shook it also.

"Would you like something to drink?" ask Tina.

"Coffee would be fine if you have it made," I replied.

"How do you take it?" asked Sue.

"Black would be fine; I sometimes use French vanilla or hazelnut flavoring."

"Oh my gosh, that's how Mom takes hers," said Sue.

I sat down and we talk about the company and general things and Sue asked if she could ask me a few questions. She said she asked her mother the same questions earlier and she wanted to see how compatible our answers were.

I told her I would answer them as best as I could. Tina, Bev and Sue were sitting on the couch and I was sitting in a chair. Bev had brought me a cup of coffee and I thanked her. She smiled at me. So far so good.

"What's your favorite restaurant? No looking at Mom for hints," said Sue.

I did look at Tina and she was laughing. "Well, I don't have one favorite restaurant but if it was seafood, then it would probably be the Red Lobster, for Italian I would say the Olive Garden."

"Mom said the same thing. Mom, you didn't call him and tell him your answers, did you?"

"No Sue, you just asked me the questions an hour ago. Maybe Jeff and I have a lot in common."

"OK, Jeff, what's your favorite movie of all time and why? No looking at Mom," replied Sue.

"Let me think about this one. I would have to say The Raiders of the Lost Ark, because I like Harrison Ford movies but mostly because it was the first movie I saw with your mom. If we're talking chic flicks I would go with Titanic. That was one awesome movie."

"I can't believe that you two didn't talk about it. Mom gave the same answers. Ok, this one won't be so easy. You're from Michigan but lived for eighteen years in Ohio; I read all about you in the articles mom cut out. Who do you root for, Michigan or Ohio State in football?" Sue was smiling, this has always been a huge rivalry.

"Sue, I need to explain something to you before answering. I want to be honest with you. While I was growing up it was the Big Ten Conference. But everybody always called it the big two and little eight. Most every year either Michigan or Ohio State would win the championship. It always aggravated me.

"You see, the Big Ten also had Michigan State in it and they hardly ever mention them in the Big Ten, but every year they would have a big game and beat either Ohio State or Michigan. So to answer honestly, I'd have to say I would root for the Michigan State Spartans."

Sue turned to her mother. "Mom, you must have told him. Your answers are all similar."

"Honey, Jeff told me that story about the Big Ten many years ago and since I liked him I agreed with him and rooted for Michigan State ever since. No one is trying to put anything over on you."

"Sue, I'm not a big sports fan. I like sports but I'm not a die-hard fan of any team. If the Cleveland Indians play the Detroit Tigers, I really don't care who wins. The same goes for the Browns and Lions. If I go to a game I root for the home team wherever I am. One exception is I do like the Detroit Red Wings."

"So does Mom," said Sue. "What about music? What's your favorite?"

"No favorites, but I'm a big oldies but goodies fan. I also have recently been listening to the Celtic Women. Their music calms me and I love the sounds of Ireland. Kind of like the music from Titanic. So, did I pass the test?"

"You and Mom could have been twins," replied Sue.

"Now, I have a question for you girls. Where would you like to go for lunch?"

"The Outback Steak House if you don't mind," said Bev. "It's mine and Sue's favorite."

"Sounds good to me, I've always liked a good steak."

Bev came up to me and asked me if she could ask me a question.

"Of course, what is it?"

She handed me her mother's yearbook. "We read all the saying that people wrote in Mom's book. A lot of them saying, 'Best of luck with Jeff, ' or 'We wish you and Jeff the best life ever together, ' I can go on but I think you get the idea. Why didn't you sign Mom's yearbook? She told us she signed yours."

I took a deep breath before answering. "Your mom and I had an argument which I totally regret. Your grandmother forbid your mother to see me or me her. I figured if I signed her yearbook and her mother saw it she might get in trouble and that's the last thing I wanted. Do you have a pen?"

I took the pen and opened it up to the last page of Tina's yearbook. I wrote, 'To the girl that I will never forget. You will be in my heart and always a part of me. Love, Jeff.'

Bev read it and had tears in her eyes. She showed it to Sue who then gave it to her mom. "You still like Mom don't you?" asked Sue.

"Sue, you're not suppose to ask questions like that. Some things are personal and you have to respect that," replied Tina.

"I'm sorry Jeff, but I can tell Mom likes you too. You're the first man she has invited over since Dad passed away."

"I asked him over because you girls asked me if you could meet him," said Tina.

"Give it up Mom," said Bev. "You're going to lose this argument. Are you really going to say that's the only reason you invited him here? Sue and I can both tell you two have feeling for each other and it's ok with us; right Sue?"

"Right! I agree! Now can we go to the Outback? I'm getting hungry."

I have to say that I loved the spunk in these girls. I believe they could hold their own with anyone. Not only were they pretty but also very smart. They must have asked me a hundred questions during lunch. Everything from where I was born to if I was ever married and if I like kids.

I answered all their questions as honestly as I could. I thought they would know if I was lying and I wanted their trust.

That evening we did make it to Jenny and Mark's place. It was a nice party with mainly drinks and snacks. It was more of a get together of old friends then a big party but it was very nice. Jenny greeted Tina and I when we arrived. She introduced me to some of the people I didn't know.

Most were at the reunion the night before but I didn't get a chance to talk to everyone. I saw Jenny alone in the kitchen and went in to talk to her. I told her it was a nice party and I was glad I came.

I needed to ask her about Tina. "Jenny, what did you say to Tina?" She looked a bit shy but I knew she wouldn't lie to me; as far as I know she never has. "Did you tell her about us?"

"Yes, but let me explain. I promise you that no one else knows. Not even Mark. It accidentally came out about ten years ago at the fifteenth reunion. Tina and I both were a little drunk and were alone talking. The subject of sex came around and Tina asked, 'Jen, I know it's personal but we're like best friends. How many men have you been with?'

"I told her she had to go first and she said she had been with three counting her husband Ben. I told her I've only been with one other man besides Mark but it was before we were married. She then said she didn't think it was such a big deal. She had a boyfriend in college who took her virginity. She said she actually gave it away.

"According to Tina it hurt and didn't last very long. After the first time she said she got used to it but rarely climaxed. Her second partner was with a guy she dated while working at the bank after she graduated. She said it was so mundane that she faked an orgasm just to get it over with.

"She did say Ben was the best and lasted the longest but the sex was always the same. It was missionary position but at least she had orgasms. She told me, 'I just don't understand why some women think it's so great'.

"That's when I said, that's because you've never been with Jeff. I knew I had said it but was to late to take it back. She looked at me and said, 'You had sex with Jeff? My Jeff? How could you?'

"I went on and told her the truth about not being with anyone else except Mark and she had broken up with you and that I really cared for you too even though I loved Mark. We talked for awhile and she cried. I told her I was sorry but she told me she wasn't crying about me being with you.

"She said she had her chance with you and blew it. Now she would never know if it was her or her lovers who weren't so good. Please promise me you won't tell her. She's my best friend now."

I promised Jenny that it was still our secret but if Tina ever asked me if I had sex with Jenny that I wouldn't lie. Jenny was pretty positive it was something Tina would never ask me because of their friendship. I hoped she was right but I did find out a lot about Tina's past.

Life was quite busy the next few weeks. I would spend time in both the Ohio and Michigan plant. I was showing the ropes to my successor and Dad was explaining the processes he put in place to me. Every time I was in Michigan I made sure to stop by and see Tina and the girls.

The company had an apartment that I could use for three months to live in till I found a place of my own. I chose to live there instead of at my parents' house mainly for privacy. When I would take Tina out on a date or even for dinner we needed a place to make love.

The last thing we needed would be for her daughters to catch us in a compromising position. We couldn't get together every time because sometimes I would go to her house and she would make us dinner and the girls would want to do something.

We went to movies and even to the beach. It was a pretty hot summer. The girls wore two piece bathing suits and Tina chose a more modest one piece. The girls would treat me like family and even asked about meeting my parents. I actually set it up and we went to my parents' home the following weekend.