Chapter 7

In the morning, Karen and I met for breakfast. We went to our first classes and then met for English. Professor Lee wanted our third chapter if it was available. Ours was and we were allowed to leave. As Karen handed it in, Doctor Lee said, "I enjoyed your chapters one and two. I'm looking forward to this one." One other team had a chapter ready and they followed us out.

We went to the common area of Karen's dorm and sat on the sofa until my next class. After math, I met her for lunch. She came up to me in a rush with a hug and a kiss. We went inside, got our food, and ate.

"Nicki and Charlie are together! Isn't it romantic?"

I shrugged. "It is if that's what they want."

She said, "What do you mean?"

I said, "I'm happy and with you. It would be nice if they are together but it should be for them and not to mimic us. Each person's joys are individual. How long will it take to get to your parents house?"

She blinked at the swift change of subject and said, "About two hours. Will your truck be okay for the trip?"

I smiled. "Don't take Charlie too seriously. My old truck will be fine. It's in better shape than it looks. I worked over the mechanical parts and the interior but haven't done anything on the exterior. It was my grandfather's truck and I wanted to leave it looking like it did when he drove it because he asked me to do that. He told me I would know when to paint it."

She nodded. "Charlie had worried me a little bit."

I said, "Let's walk over and you can sit in it and ride around the block."

She said, "I would like to see it but I don't need to ride to feel safe with you, Brad."

I nodded and said, "Let's go." Taking her hand, I led her out and into a far corner of the parking lot. My truck was an old faded blue Chevy that was well over twenty years old. I went to the passenger side and unlocked it. Opening the door, I ushered her inside into the updated interior that was spotless and luxurious. Karen's eyes went wide.

I went around to the driver's side and sat in the driver's seat and cranked the engine. It started immediately and made a low purr. She was speechless and frozen in place. I buckled her belt and then my own. I pulled out and took her on a short drive returning to the same place. I turned off the engine.

Karen said, "That was amazing. It's beautiful inside and runs like the finely tuned machine that I bet it is."

I smiled. "It has what look like stock wheels with high performance tires and four wheel disc brakes along with a few other less obvious items. In here, there is a state of the art sound system and satellite radio. There are also USB ports. There is a powered cover for the bed that protects anything in there from weather. It's just not obvious."

Karen said, "It reminds me of you. I looked deeper than the surface and found a wonderful guy with superb deep places in his heart, soul, and mind." She smiled happily. "Let's go back to the common room and cuddle." We did.

The week went well. I hadn't talked to my parents in a few weeks but they didn't expect a call much less a visit. We left after eating lunch Friday for Karen's home in my truck. It was an easy drive and she had fun playing with my radio and sound system. She even plugged her phone into it and played some music from her collection. We arrived happy. Karen showed me where to park my truck. I parked and grabbed our suitcases. We went in to be met by both her parents.

I hadn't been raised in a cave. I said, "Missus and Mister Monroe, thank you for allowing me into your home. It's good to meet you."

Missus Monroe was only a little shorter than Karen and her husband was an inch taller than me. It was easy to see where Karen's height had come from. Missus Monroe gave me a hug. "We're glad to meet you, Brad. Karen has spoken of you to us." Mister Monroe shook my hand.

Karen said, "Mom, is the guest room clear or will he have to sleep with me?"

Her father sternly said, "The guest room is clear, of course." He spoiled the effect when he grinned. "Come along, Brad. I'll show you the room." He did and I left my case there. I had Karen's case and put it on the bed in her room when he pointed it out. It was across from my room.

We returned to the living room as we heard part of what Karen was saying. " ... caught a few times sitting on the couch in the common area after having fallen asleep." Missus Monroe gasped a little. "No one kids us about it. Nicki did once but that's it.

"Mom, you have to ride in Brad's truck. It's amazing. The outside is the way it was when his grandfather owned it. Brad has completely revamped the interior and the running gear. It's almost sinful, it's so comfortable. He did most of the work himself. He told me he wanted to leave the exterior like it was when his grandfather drove it."

We had a nice meal that Missus Monroe cooked while Karen helped. Mister Monroe and I sat at the kitchen table and talked with each other and with them. It was a warm comfortable time. Karen prayed over our meal.

After eating, we went to the living room. Karen sat me on the couch and scrunched in close. "Put your arm around me, Brad. It's okay."

I said, "I wasn't sure if that was okay though I wanted to."

She chuckled. "There is nothing we have done so far that we can't do in front of my parents. They trust me."

I grinned. "I understand that but do they trust me?" Everyone laughed as I hugged her close.

Karen said, "Mom, Dad, let me tell you about the story that we're writing for English class. Professor Lee partnered us when she was giving the assignment. Maybe you can give us a title. We need one and haven't had any ideas yet.

"We named our characters after us. In the story, they meet by voice mails that they didn't send. They search for the source and find it is an alien. In the process, they fall in love. They are college students, too."

I said, "Unlike me, the Brad in the story is coordinated and doesn't slip and fall nor does he spill things."

Missus Monroe said, "Karen says she has cured you of that but that she has to keep giving you the antidote."