Chapter 13: Meet the Family

We were seated three abreast on the Alaska Air flight to Vancouver. Tina was in the window seat while Fiona occupied the middle and I was on the aisle. I had become aware that Fiona was nervous and had been hanging onto my arm the whole flight.

"Are you uncomfortable flying?" I asked.

"No ... not at all. I'm worried about meeting your family. I wonder how they're going to feel about me replacing Carla and you marrying a foreigner."

"A foreigner!" I laughed. "They are going to love you, just as I do," I assured her. "They want us to be happy and I know that for a fact."

She nodded and forced a smile. "I guess it's just fear of the unknown."

Tina was missing a couple of days of school to make this trip, but she assured us that she was ahead in her studies and if her report cards were any indication, she didn't have a thing to worry about. She would fly back to California on her own, taking her mother's car home from the airport. I was taking a working break, if there is such a thing. I would be in meetings with Leo and Dave to discuss our progress to date and go over the financials.

One thing on my mind was when to order the second press. It would be the final big expenditure of our plan. I didn't think it would be this year. We had no trouble filling two shifts on the first press and when the pouch machine was installed we would take a big load off Langley, opening up additional capacity in both locations. The new coffee lidding business was separate and distinct, not taking up any of the existing Tracy manufacturing resources. We were even able to find a couple of experienced press operators for it.

But it was the bottom line that I wanted to talk to Leo and Dave about. Lucas was assuring me that we were in good shape and turning a nice profit already, not withstanding our debt. You don't spend over eight million dollars of the boss's money and get away scot-free. I wanted Leo and Dave's opinion of where we were. I knew sales were ahead of plan and I knew we had been able to install the equipment on time and within budget, but what did it mean in the "big picture" to Flex-Tek.

It was a nice, clear late April day when our flight rounded out over Surrey and began the descent into Vancouver International. Tina was glued to the window, trying to take it all in. I don't know what she was expecting, but this was her first time out of the United States and she was excited about it. My parents were going to take her sightseeing while Fiona and I did our thing. I was pretty sure my fiancée would find some time to join Tina and her soon-to-be in-laws for some touring around as well.

The reception committee was waiting for us as we the customs area. I saw my parents first, then Neal and Phil.

"Hi Mom," I said, hugging her.

My mother had tears of happiness in her eyes and gave me a warm kiss on the cheek.

"Good to see you, Dad. How are you?"

"I'm fine, son. It's good to see you too."

I shook his hand, then greeted Neal and Phil.

"I'd like to introduce you to Fiona Alexander, my fiancée, and her daughter, Christina."

"Tina," the young girl quickly corrected.

My mother hugged both women and welcomed them to Vancouver. My dad was a little more circumspect, giving Fiona a brief hug and Tina a handshake. When I looked at the boys, Neal was smiling at the scene while Phil was checking Tina out as inconspicuously as possible. He wasn't that good at inconspicuous. As I watched the scene of the "meet and greet," it looked like everyone was pleased to see us.

I took Fiona's hand and I could feel much of her previous tension had disappeared. I think my mother's welcome and perhaps the boys' as well had put her mind at rest.

Neal and Phil volunteered to take Tina while Fiona and I rode with my parents. I had given my RAV4 to Neal to replace his dilapidated Cavalier and he was using it to transport Phil and Tina. She had happily agreed to ride with them. I knew that in a couple of months, I would have to deal with getting a car for Phil, assuming he was heading off to college in September. In any case, he would need a car and I could afford to buy him something sensible and reliable.

When we arrived at my parents' home, Tina, Neal and Phil were getting out of the Toyota, laughing and clearly having fun. That was good news to me and Fiona noticed and smiled as well.

"Since we're not actually brother and sister, Phil and I decided to get engaged," Tina taunted her mother.

"That was quick," Fiona said with a raised eyebrow as I stood there with my eyes bulging and mouth open.

"You're catching flies, Dad," Neal laughed.

They were having fun at my expense and I fell for it, hook, line and sinker. My father thought it was funny as hell and for one of the few times I could ever remember, produced a belly laugh. That wasn't at all common coming from him. My mother just threw up her hands in mock surrender. She was used to Phil's idea of humour. It was something he and Tina had in common. Those two could be trouble together.

The boys would be staying for dinner before heading back to the house I once lived in. My parents were modern people and had no concerns about Fiona and me sleeping together. Tina would have the third bedroom.

The "getting to know you" part of the evening went better than I could have hoped. Fiona and my parents got along very well indeed. Tina, entertained by both Phil and Neal, was relaxed as the trio traded stories about school and life in general. I found Phil alone in the kitchen after dinner and took the opportunity to talk to him.

"How's your mother?"

"She's okay, Dad. She's had a couple of dates in the last month, but nothing that looks like it might be serious. I think her job keeps her mind off what happened between you two."

"Any feedback from her about my marriage?"

"No ... I mean ... she was a bit surprised that it was happening so soon, but she told me she hoped you would be happy now."

"And how are you doing, Phil?"

"Marking time, Dad. When I thought about choosing a school for next year, I wondered what would happen to Mom if it was out of town or I lived on campus. I know my being at the house seems to be important to her."

"Would you like to come south with us?" I asked, wondering if that was on his mind.

"I've thought about it. I'm almost afraid of how Mom would react."

"Why don't you talk to her about it? Sooner or later, it's going to happen."

"I know. I just don't want to hurt her. She's putting on a brave face, but I'm not so sure she's feeling very good about what happened."

"What does Neal think?" I asked.

"He's a bit less worried than me, but he doesn't see her every day. Hell, he sees her about once a month. He'll be working up north this summer, so he won't be around at all."

"Have you thought about where you want to go to school?"

"Yeah ... I'm thinking Douglas College. They have a campus nearby and I could commute and live at the house. I think that's what Mom is hoping for."

"And after two years at Douglas?"

"BCIT."

"You still interested in computers?"

"Yeah. Douglas has some courses that get me ready for the heavy stuff at BCIT."

"Make a decision that's best for you, Phil. Do what you think will help you the most. Don't worry about anything else. Your mother and I will support you, no matter what you decide."

"Thanks, Dad. I think I'll be happier up here. I've got my friends and I know what to expect at school. Maybe when Mom gets her life together it'll be easier to make a change."

"Okay, whatever you think best," I said, clapping him on the shoulder.