Chapter 55

Baseball was having informal practices and exercise periods while Alice’s volleyball was actually practicing. When I could, I went to them to cheer her on.

Marilyn and Bob were getting along well with an interesting mix of classes that they were taking together. We didn’t share any classes but did meet for meals frequently. Grace was progressing well and would spend her last semester at the Meadows’ farm performing her student teaching. She had every expectation of being offered a position for the fall.

This weekend would be the football banquet. Both sets of parents, mine and Alice’s, would be present. Mitch would be there for Grace. We had talked with Marilyn and Bob. Neither of their parents would be present. Bob’s parents couldn’t afford to make the trip nor stay in a hotel for the weekend. Marilyn’s just don’t seem to care. Both Marilyn and Bob were disappointed. We made plans with our parents to cheer Bob on and to include them in whatever we did as a group. My parents were sympathetic with their situation while Mister and Missus Meadows didn’t truly understand the attitudes of their parents. Both sets of our parents liked Marilyn and Bob and would help them celebrate and be supportive of them.

It’s Friday afternon and folks are arriving. First are the Meadows with Mitch. We didn’t have a room for him on campus so he would stay with his parents at the hotel. He planned to spend a lot of time with Grace. She would spend a lot of time at the hotel or wherever Mitch might be.

My parents arrived next and we met them with Marilyn and Bob. It was a joyful time. My parents were welcoming to our roommates. They seemed to appreciate the caring that my parents showed them.

My parents checked in at the hotel and the six of us walked the campus. My parents doted on both couples of us. I could see Marilyn and Bob become more at ease and happier as the afternoon turned into evening.

My parents took the four of us out to dinner that night to a good Chinese buffet. We all enjoyed the meal and the time together. We returned to their room after eating to sit together for a while. We eventually left in my car for our dorms. Bob asked, “Your parents sure are nice, and to us, too.”

“I have talked to them about your situation. They like each of you and the two of you together. It saddens them that your parents aren’t supportive. They will try to give you moral support.”

Alice smiled. “It’s a good feeling to be supported. Jerry and I are fortunate.”

The girls went to their room. Bob and I went to our room. We would meet in the morning for breakfast. My parents and Alice’s would meet for breakfast at the hotel. As Bob and I were walking to meet the girls, I saw Mitch pick up Grace. We waved. Moments later, the girls came out of their dorm and met us. We would eat in the athletic dorm dining room this morning.

We chose our food and sat down. Others joined us as we blessed the food. We ate and talked with those at the long table. We finished up and went outside to ride over and meet the parents. We rode over and found them at the dining room of the hotel. We joined them for coffee.

My mother looked at Marilyn. “Marilyn, what would you like to do today?”

Marilyn looked surprised. “I want to be with Bob but haven’t thought beyond that. I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it.” She smiled. “But I will think about it.”

Bob smiled. “That’s as far as I had thought, too.”

Mother smirked, “Maybe we should go window shopping.”

Marilyn grinned. “That would work. Bob has a hand I can hold as we check them out.”

I smiled, knowing that my mother wasn’t truly serious but Marilyn had adroitly insured that she would be with Bob. Alice gave my hand a light squeeze. No one had any other, much less better, suggestion so that’s what we did.

There was an open air mall moderately close. We piled into cars and drove over parking close to the middle of the mall. As we got out, I noticed that there were a number of quick food restaurants in the lot. We walked through a party shop noting the different costumes and masks available along with other novelty items. After that was a wine shop that also had imported foods. My father bought two bottles of wine. I selected two sticks of candy. Dad told the rest of us to pick some, too. Everyone did. Dad paid for it all and handed out the candy sticks to the guys who shared them with their ladies. We left that shop and moved on.

We came to a Kohl’s and my mother went inside pulling Alice and Marilyn with her. I walked in slowly with Mister Meadows. He whispered to me. “It’s nice that your father is rich but your mother will cure that condition.” He grinned. I grinned back.

Mother pulled them into the ladies’ area looking at bloouses. I heard her say, “I want each of you to pick out a blouse to wear tonight. You should look special for your special guys.” Both of them were surprised but started to look slowly. Alice looked at me with a question in her eyes. I nodded and smiled at her.

Marilyn looked a bit troubled. Mom said, “Do you need a skirt, too?” She looked dazed but nodded. “Fine, we’ll get one, too.”

The three shopped. My father walked over by Marilyn. He quietly said, “Don’t worry about it. Pick out something Bob will enjoy seeing you wear.” She gave him a small smile but looked less anxious, too. Dad moved over to Alice and told her the same thing.

She nodded. She whispered, “Jerry had already told me it was okay.” She smiled.

Dad only looked a little surprised but smiled.

Mom helped Alice find a blouse and Marilyn find a blouse and skirt. She used her credit card to pay for everything. We left with Bob and I tasked with carrying the packages. Alice whispered to me, “That’s the most expensive blouse I’ve ever had.”

“It looks great on you, Love.” My mother smiled. Marilyn was still in shock. I thought she had looked really good in her new outfit and would again tonight.

It was time for lunch and we returned to school. Everyone ate in the athletic dorm dining hall. Those not coming to the banquet tonight would eat at another dorm if they stayed on campus. Lunch was good and the conversation was lively.

After lunch, we all walked around the campus a bit. It was chilly but sunny making it a good day for walking. Marilyn asked Alice, “What would you be doing today if you were here and your parents were not?”

Alice smiled. “Jerry and I would either walk or run on the campus. We enjoy being together and getting some exercise. It’s chilly but sunny. That makes it good for walking or running.”

We returned to the girls’ dorm and all sat in the comon room. One of the older girls came by and said, “Grace, who’s that with you?”