Chapter 11

It was time so I loaded our cases into the back of my car and we left with the top down after we both hugged and kissed my mother.

Alice waved as I backed out. I drove toward the college which was also the road to her farm. I made the correct turns and an hour and a half after starting pulled in at the front of the farm. Before we got out, I put up the top and raised the windows. Alice got out and ran inside. I followed after retrieving her case and my smaller one. I got them to the front porch before Alice reappeared with her mother.

I said, “Hello, Missus Meadows. It’s good to see you again.”

Alice had grabbed my hand. Missus Meadows said, “You two seem to still be getting along. Come on in. Alice will show you were to put the cases.” She smiled. Alice and I each grabbed a case and I followed her down a hall. Alice put her case in a room that was decorated in soft colors. She pointed to the next door for my case. I pushed it in and left it there. I came back out and Alice took my hand leading me into the living room to sit on the couch with her close beside me.

Her mother was sitting in an easy chair. She grinned. “Alice, you did put him in a different bedroom from yours, didn’t you?”

Alice sounded put upon. “Yes, Mother. We don’t sleep together, yet.” She grinned. I decided to stay out of this but did smile.

Alice added. “I wore my tanning suit when we went swimming. Jerry’s folks have both a pool and a hot tub. We enjoyed both. His mother joined us. She doesn’t work so was at the house all day while I was there. His folks are neat people to know which makes sense since Jerry is great to know.”

Her mother looked a little surprised. “Alice, are you that serious already?”

“Yes, no, maybe. It’s been a good time and a bit intense because we’ve been together from Monday afternoon until now except for sleeping. We’ve been together a lot and it’s all been good.” I nodded. Alice looked at me and said, “Jerry, you should do more than nod.”

I smiled. “I’m in agreement. It’s been a wonderful time and I’ve enjoyed your presence. I still am. It’s an interesting journey on which we’re embarked. Getting to know each other has been joyous. I think we will be an acknowledged couple by the time school starts. I hope so anyway.”

Missus Meadows asked, “What do you mean ‘an acknowledged’ couple?”

“I mean that we will have acknowledged to each other a deep caring and people recognize us publicly as a couple and expect us to be together.”

Alice smiled warmly, “That sounds good and is a worthy goal. I think it’s attainable, too.’

Missus Meadows just smiled. The three of us sat comfortably for a while until Missus Meadows said, “I guess I had better start supper.”

Alice said, “We’ll help.”

Missus Meadows grinned, “My daughter may speak for you, Jerry?”

I grinned, “Yes, Ma’am. Actually, she speaks quite well. I enjoy hearing her talk.”

All three of us went into the kitchen.

Supper was going to be a meatloaf with baked potatoes and a green bean casserole. Alice was cutting an onion for the meatloaf while I was tasked with opening cans of green beans though the cans were actually jars. I was directed to drain the water before putting them into the casserole dish. I was given two cans of mushroom soup to add and a rubber spoon to gently mix everything together. Once I was finished with that, I was given potatoes to wash. They went into the oven with the formed meatloaf and we all washed our hands.

We were sitting around the kitchen table when Mister Meadows came in with his younger son. Mister Meadows went to his wife giving her a hug and a kiss.

The younger son went to Alice saying, “Sis, you’re back.” He hugged her and gave her a quick kiss. He then said, “You must be Jerry. Mom has mentioned you as Alice’s kidnapper.” He grinned.

I grinned back. “She doesn’t do victim well.”

“I could if you would treat me better as your victim.” Alice smirked.

“I don’t want you to be a victim, Alice. I want you to continue as a happy accomplice.” I grinned at her. She blushed a little but grinned back.

Her parents both grinned at her. Alice blushed a bit more. She said, “As your accomplice, I think we’ve accomplished enough already.”

“Yes, it ‘suited’ me at the pool and hot tub.”

Now, Alice was really blushing. Her mother asked, “Did you take and wear your tanning suit?”

Alice grinned. “Yes, Jerry liked it a lot. Of course, he wore a speedo.” Now, I blushed a bit.

Alice’s father grinned. “That would make you two an interesting looking couple. Cheeky.”

Everything was in the oven so we headed out of the kitchen. Alice had my hand in hers as soon as we started walking. She took me to the sofa and sat us down still without releasing my hand.

Missus Meadows said, “I don’t think he’s trying to get away, Alice. You don’t have to hold on so tightly.”

I said, “That’s true but my lady Galadriel has a very good hand.”

Mister Meadows said, “Jerry knows your real first name?”

Alice smiled, “We’ve talked a lot and it’s all been good.”

I just smiled.

We listened to Mister Meadows and Mitchell, Alice’s brother, talk about their day. They were starting to harvest some plantings. Most of it wasn’t due yet.

I was interested because it was a different discussion from what I was used to hearing. My father and Mister Meadows had very different days. When the buzzer sounded, we all rose and helped serve plates going into the dining room to sit. After a blessing, we ate. It was all very good.

After supper, Alice volunteered us to help with the dishes. We cleaned up everything and set the dishwasher to work. We then went into the living room to sit. The television was on but Mitchell was the only one watching much at all. Mister and Missus Meadows were watching us as we sat together holding hands.

Missus Meadows looked at her husband and offered, “Gerald, I’m beginning to wonder if something is wrong with them. They don’t seem to be able to walk unless holding hands.”