Thanksgiving was today and he was coming over to meet and eat with my family. It was the first time he would see them, and I was a little nervous. My family knew I was gay, but I hadn't told them what he was like; they were in for a bit of a surprise.
I was already at my parent's house, helping my mother cook in the kitchen like I did every year. I was the only one she would allow in her kitchen while she cooked. My father was sitting in the living room, watching the football game on the screen. My brother and sister would be home soon, along with my boyfriend.
"So, when is your friend coming over?" My mother asked. I looked over at her as I peeled the potatoes.
"He said he'll be here around twelve." I told her. I glanced at the clock. It was almost that time. "And remember ma, he's not just my friend." She waved a hand at me.
"I know what he is; you don't have to remind me." She said abruptly. She was understanding when I told her I was gay, but she still wished I had settled down with a woman. She looked over at me from her cooking pot. "You're not living with him, are you?" And by that she meant, "You're not sleeping with him, are you?" I flushed slightly at the thought and shook my head.
"No, ma. I still live in my apartment, don't worry. I haven't even stayed the night at his house." I told her. She arched an eyebrow at me, and I grinned and shook my head. "Mom, I'm twenty-one. I could stay at my boyfriend's house if I wanted to." She just sighed and shook her head.
"I know, I know..." Was all she muttered into her cooking pot. I peeled the rest of the potatoes in silence, placing them into a plastic strainer. I washed them all before starting to chop them.
"A Focus just pulled up." My father called from the living room. I perked up and grinned, dropping the knife and running to the door. It was his red Focus! I smiled widely and opened the front door, watching him approach the house through the screen door. I opened it for him, stepping back as he stepped into the house.
"Hello," He said happily, pecking me on the cheek before handing me a bouquet of flowers. I blushed and smiled widely at him.
"Hello. And thank you so much." I told him, leaning up and pecking his cheek with a kiss.
"Who is it?" My father called from the living room. I instructed him to take off his shoes before leading him into the living room, holding the flowers in one hand.
"Dad, this is my boyfriend. Boyfriend, this is my dad." I smiled softly as I waved my hand back and forth between them. My dad just stared at him from his chair, mulling over what I just told him.
"You're his boyfriend?" My father asked in a sort of disbelief. My boyfriend nodded slowly. My father nodded back, glancing at the game before looking back at him. "You disrespect my son in any way, I will find you. Got it?" He said, staring at him intensely. I groaned in despair and looked away. My boyfriend only grinned and smiled.
"Yes, sir. I'll take good care of your son." I glanced at my father, seeing him nod in satisfaction. I sighed softly, and looked at my boyfriend with a soft smile.
"Let me put these in some water and then I'll show you the rest of the house." I told him before leading him to the kitchen. Mom was mashing the chopped potatoes, looking up at us before stopping her work. She put on a wide smile and walked around the counter to greet my boyfriend.
"Hello! You must be my son's friend." She said, holding out her hand. I watched as he hesitantly took it before shaking it, smiling softly.
"Yes, I am. It's nice to meet you." He said to her. She smiled at him before turning to me. She was looking at the flowers.