Chapter 10

The day proceeded without further excitement. We began to prepare for New Year’s Eve and for New Year’s Day helping my parents with shopping and cleaning. We had time but could prepare for a number of days in advance since we were neat people. During this time, Suzie-Q and Larry worked together closely. They made a really good team and Karen and I commented to each other that they seemed to enjoy working together.

I also noticed that Suzie-Q was more affectionate to Larry while they worked with us. We got a lot done and stopped for supper. My parents got everyone cleaned up and we went to the club to eat and dance. Karen’s parents rode with us while Suzie-Q and Larry rode with my parents. I remarked to Karen that that was a different pairing though I liked it. Karen’s mother overheard me. She said, “Brad, I think your folks are trying to get to know Larry. I know she has been concerned about Suzie since her break up with Matt.”

Karen’s dad said, “That situation and how it happened left a bad taste in their mouths. They are trying to protect Suzie within reason.”

Karen said, “We understand. We’ve been doing the same thing.” We arrived at the club behind them and I gave my key for valet parking. The four of us went inside behind my parents and Suzie-Q and Larry. The eight of us were given a table with Jennifer as our server.

She came up behind us and gave our shoulders a squeeze. “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. It’s good to see you guys. Suzie, who is your dreamboat?”

My sister smiled. “Jennifer, this is Larry Moore. Larry goes to another college. We met through a mutual friend. He is also a marvelous painter.” Larry blushed.

Jennifer chuckled. “It’s good he has talents besides being decorative. Is he likable?”

Suzie-Q blushed. “Very much so.” Jennifer winked.

Jennifer took our orders for drinks and left us to the menus. We ordered and ate fried mushrooms. After another great meal, we went into the dance area and danced for over an hour. We finally piled back in our cars and returned to the house.

After a while, Karen and I went to our bed. After stripping, we lay beside each other and called to Rudolph. He said, “You both seem happy.”

Karen said, “We are. This is an enjoyable time of year for us. We are enjoying being with both sets of parents. It’s also a time to rest from school.”

Rudolph said, “Suzie and Larry seem happy. Their talk set their minds at ease.”

I said, “That’s good. Larry seems to be a nice guy but Suzie-Q and we had been unsure about him and his motivation.”

Rudolph said, “He made some decisions on the trip over here about his future and those decisions included a place in that future for your sister. We had noticed that his mind was conflicted when he thought about her and about his life previously.”

Karen said, “Rudolph, we have thought about the lottery. When we return to our apartment, Brad will resume buying tickets. If our following the progression of the jackpot’s growth is correct, we should win about three weeks later. It should be at around a hundred fifty million or so on the payout. That will give us a nice lump sum after taxes. Since it’s supposed to be a surprise that we will win, we haven’t made detailed plans about what we will do. We see some things like a house, a car, some help for my parents, and a few other things but mostly plan to use it to help us develop and reach some goals sooner. We will be careful to be good stewards of that money. We want it to help us in our lives together and not harm us.”

We told Rudolph that we would sleep and snuggled together and slept. In the morning, we woke and went into the bathroom and showered together. We made love though Karen had to work at being quiet. She was mostly successful. We turned the water off, finished what we needed to do and went into our bedroom to dress. Dressed, we went into the kitchen and made coffee.

Just as it finished dripping, my sister walked in looking happy. “I just heard the shower run only once. Were you two exercising your conservationist natures again?”

Karen grinned. “No. We were making love and then getting cleaned up. We have a license to perform such acts together.”

Karen continued, “Suzie-Q, fix your coffee and tell us about the situation with Larry. It seems you two made some decisions.”

Suzie-Q fixed her coffee and joined us at the table. “That’s true. We talked. Well, he talked and I listened for the most part. He made some decisions about how he wants to live and who he wanted in his life. He told me that he was quitting partying. He had been slackening off since he met me. Karen, Bradley, he saw something in your lives and mine that he liked and wanted for his. He said he did something he hadn’t done in years. He prayed. He also told me that he was going to be more serious about his education, too. He said that he hoped I would like what he would be doing because he would like me in his life. He told me that he was not making these changes for me but for himself. He felt I should know his plan and he hoped I would be willing to be part of his life for a long, long time.” She had a sense of wonder of her face. “He was concerned that I might not like that and that he would be driving back to his folks’ house.” She smiled. “I told him that I wanted a place in his future and wanted him in mine. We both got a little teary then.”

I said, “That all sounds good.” She nodded vigorously. A minute later, Larry came into the kitchen saying, “May I join the group?”

Karen said, “Of course. This started when Brad and I would meet for breakfast in the cafeteria before we married. We got in the habit of rising early and have maintained it. Our mothers will be here in another five minutes or so. Brace yourself. Brad’s mother likes to razz her children and anyone else our age who is available.”

Suzie-Q said, “However, tease her back or don’t react at all. Either one works.”

My mother walked in with Karen’s mother behind her. She said, “My ears are burning. Were you talking about me?”

Brad said, “No, Mom. You’ve just been getting too much sun. Why would anyone talk about you?”

Larry said, “Missus Gillis, you do look tired. Perhaps you should sit down and rest from your walk to the kitchen.” He said it with a straight face and a courteous sound to his voice.

My mother blushed. “Someone has been telling stories about me.” She looked at Karen’s mom. “Help me, Helen.”

Karen’s mother said, “Jackie, I’ve heard what goes around, comes around. It looks like the circle is closing in on you.”

Everyone laughed. Our mothers began to prepare breakfast and getting Karen and Suzie-Q to help them. Larry and I were sent to set the table in the dining room.

We were setting that table and Larry said, “I guess you might like more information on what your sister and I discussed yesterday?” He had a question in his voice. I nodded.