With a chuckle, Gray said, “Well my conversation with Claire makes a little more sense now. I couldn’t figure out why she was grilling me on my musical preferences and seemed greatly relieved when I mentioned liking a lot of the older rock music. With her being pregnant and all I was terrified of letting her down and making her cry. She looked so serious at the time. Now I know she was just interviewing me to see if I was worthy of dating her friend.”
They talked about other bands that they both liked, and Suzy was surprised to find that their tastes were pretty similar. As if by mutual agreement, they avoided talking about their argument that morning and about Reva. Looking at the road signs, she saw they were getting closer to Charleston. “So where do you live in Charleston? I’ve been there couple of times for weekend trips.”
“I have a place in the French Quarter. Have you been there?”
“Wooo, baby, I’m impressed! Yes, I’ve been there. I bought a beautiful bracelet in a little shop there a few years ago. That’s a gorgeous place. Are you keeping your place there even though you will be living in Myrtle Beach?”
“For now, yes. I’m sure I’ll be going back and forth between the two cities a lot and I’m rather attached to my place there. There are only twelve condominiums in my complex and it’s located in a residential area full of historic homes. I know most of my neighbors by name and there is nothing like strolling around in the quarter on a Sunday. My usual routine when I wasn’t traveling was to stop at one of the outdoor coffee houses there and have a cup of coffee, a pastry and read the paper. I could sit there for hours during the spring and fall. During the summer, you have a brief window before the day starts to heat up.”
Suzy couldn’t help but smile at Gray’s obvious love of the city. She could picture him doing exactly as he described and she also knew that she’d love to be with him some morning holding hands and strolling through the city. Maybe when this whole mess was behind them, they could start over and be a normal, dating couple. Ugh, when have I ever wanted to be normal? Ok, maybe she could settle for an unusual dating couple. Yeah that had a better ring to it.
Suzy looked out the window with interest as they drove through the city. Charleston was called the Holy City, and it was obvious when you drove around how it got its nickname. Churches were more numerous here than anywhere she’d ever traveled to. The architecture was breathtaking and the colors vibrant. Stately old homes kept in pristine condition surrounded by palm trees and colorful flowers gave you a sense of being transported to another time and place. The Ashley River made a perfect backdrop for Battery Park. As they passed White Point Gardens and entered the French Quarter Section, she sighed in pleasure.
This section of Charleston was probably the most suited to her personality. It had almost a hippy feel to it. She was surprised that Gray had a home here. This was probably the most expensive area to live in the city, but she would have expected something a bit more traditional for him. Gray wasn’t the straight arrow she’d always thought him to be. When he pulled up to a gated building complete with a security guard, Suzy smiled as the guard addressed Gray by name. Gray pulled into an underground parking garage and turned off the ignition.
“Home sweet home, baby. Let me help you out and I’ll come back for the bags later. I’m on the top floor, but luckily I have an elevator so it shouldn’t be too hard for you.” He opened his door and stepped out, opening the back door to get her crutches from the backseat. As he helped her from the car, he leaned over to give her a quick kiss as if afraid she’d protest the contact.
Soon they were in the elevator going from the garage floor to the second floor. The hallway they stepped out into was sleek, and she counted four other doors before they came to one at the end of the hall and Gray stuck a key card into the slot on the door. When he swung the door open, he stepped back to allow her to enter the hallway first. She instantly liked the clean lines of his home; everything looked modern, but not cold.
Just as she was turning to get a better view of the living-room, she gave a shriek when a couple sitting on the sofa looked at her curiously. Gray almost barreled into her back not expecting her sudden halt. “What’s the matter, baby?”
As he peered around here, he groaned out loud. “Mom, Dad, what’re you doing here?”
Suzy wanted to turn around and leave as fast as her crutches would carry her. Even as she seriously considered doing just that, his parents rose from the couch and walked over to where they were standing. Gray’s father was an older version of Gray and Nick. He had dark hair with silver at the temples and he was tall and well-built. He wore a pair of faded jeans and a blue polo shirt. When she looked at his mother she didn’t know if she wanted to laugh or cry. What is it that they say about the bond between little boys and their mothers? God it must be true because Gray is dating his mother. Suzy didn’t look like his mother physically other than maybe height, but they could be twins in their choice of clothing. Gray’s mother was wearing a pair of tight, skinny jeans tucked into a pair of black spike heeled knee boots, a button down white blouse was left loose and a cropped black jacket gave the whole look a fashion punch. She had long blond hair that flowed in waves down her back and perfectly applied makeup that showed off a set of eyes that looked exactly like Gray’s.
When she felt Gray tap on her shoulder, she realized that while she’d been studying them, Gray had been making the introductions. She felt her face flush in embarrassment. Luckily Gray’s father stepped forward and held his hand out. “Hi Suzy, I’m John Merimon and this is my wife Victoria.”
Suzy shook his hand, returning his smile and then turned to Gray’s mother. She was shocked when instead of taking the hand that Suzy had extended to her; she stepped forward and threw her arms around her. She was holding her crutches and couldn’t return her hug and truthfully she was too surprised to try. Victoria pulled back still holding onto her shoulders and said, “Honey, it’s so nice to meet you. Nicky has told us all about you. Of course being Gray’s mother, I knew he’d been mooning over some girl for ages.”
Suzy couldn’t help but laugh at Gray’s moan behind her. Gray’s father walked over to his son and put a sympathetic arm around his shoulders. “Your mother is a force of nature, son, you just have to hang on and ride the hurricane force winds out.”
“Very funny, John,” Gray’s mother snorted, but Suzy could see the love in her expression as she looked at her husband. “Oh geez, look at us standing here running our mouths and this poor girl is forced to stand here on her crutches and listen to us.” Shooing the men out of the way, Victoria ushered Suzy to the couch. She pushed an ottoman over to the couch and insisted on propping Suzy’s foot up on it. Standing back with her hands on her hips, she surveyed her handiwork with pride. “Now Suzy, what can I get you to drink? Would you like water, soda or something stronger like I’m fixing to indulge in?”
“Water would be great, Mrs. Merimon, thanks.”
“Oh God, please call me Vicky, when I hear Mrs. Merimon it makes me think of John’s mother, which in turn gives me a serious case of road rash.”
Gray’s father rolled his eyes as he walked to the living room to take a seat. With a smirk, Gray clapped his father on the back as he walked by. “Force of nature, right dad? Guys, I don’t believe I caught the reason for the ambush you staged today?”
His mother had returned from the kitchen with a bottle of water for Suzy and a glass of wine for herself. She perched on her husband’s chair and after taking a drink of her wine, she said, “I told you that Nicky told us everything, and before you rip him limb from limb, remember you boys can’t keep a secret from me. He tried his best, but I knew he was hiding something.” Smiling as Suzy, she continued, “Every time they did something wrong growing up, I knew the minute I looked into their chubby little faces they had been up to no-good.”
Almost choking on her water, Suzy said, “Chubby?”
“Oh, dear, yes. Gray and Nicky were round as little butter-balls until they were around ten or so. I think they got that from John’s mother.”
Suzy didn’t know who was more horrified at this point, Gray or John. All she knew was that she loved this woman. She was so outspoken that she made her seem tame. She’d never imagined she’d feel so at home with Gray’s parents, but it was as if she’d known them for years.
“Mother, I’m sure Suzy is fascinated by my fat years, but you didn’t finish answering the question about why you were waiting for us.”
With a dramatic sigh, Victoria said, “He’s always so impatient. So as I was saying Gray, your brother told us about that tramp Reva and what she’s been putting you through. I will say, Gray, that I’m not proud of you for sleeping with that girl.”
Gray looked completely mortified to be having this discussion with his mother. If they hadn’t been discussing him sleeping with another woman, Suzy would have found the whole conversation hysterical.
“Mom, I’m sorry that you feel that I didn’t treat Reva well, but I don’t think this is the time to discuss it.”
“Gray, honey, I’m just pointing out that if you had listened to my pep talks all of these years, you would have remembered the most important one concerning people like Reva, “If you roll with dogs, you will get fleas.”
Suzy couldn’t help it; she threw her head back and laughed until her sides hurt. Gray hung his head in defeat as his mother continued imparting more of her wisdom. When she finally caught her breath, John winked at her and said, “Welcome to the family, Suzy, imagine our Christmas dinners each year.”
“So what’s the plan with this woman, son? We could talk to her parents, Bart and Jean, but I don’t know how much good it will do. We aren’t really friends, and frankly I find them both obnoxious. Have you thought of a restraining order?”
“I’m thinking of talking to her first, Dad.”
Suzy put her hand on Gray’s arm and added, “He means that we are going to talk to her first. I told Gray that I felt that she needed to see us together so that she’d understand that he has moved on.” With a dead-pan expression, Suzy added, “If that doesn’t work, I plan to shove one of my crutches up her ass.”
Victoria jumped to her feet and clapped her hands. “Grayson, you have found your match. There will never be a boring day in your life with this one; she and I are going to be the best of friends.”
Gray looked as if he couldn’t decide if that was good or bad news. He rarely ever stood a chance against his mother and now with her firmly aligned with Suzy; the men in his family might as well wave the white flag now. “I think we are going to settle in, and Suzy needs to rest for a while after our ride. I’m going to arrange to meet Reva later on for a drink. I don’t want her in my house and I don’t want to go to hers. Hopefully this will be the end of it tonight.”
His mother gave him a somber look saying, “I’d like to think so honey, but if she’s anything like her mother, I can’t see her giving up that easily. Jean is a lot like Reva and she’s relentless when she wants something. I’m afraid, my dear, that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. If we need to, your father and I can make things very difficult for them socially. I don’t really enjoy playing those types of games, but I also don’t enjoy some tart stalking my son, either.”
Gray’s father stood and put his arm around his wife. “Your mother and I are going to take off and give you two a chance to relax. We would appreciate a call this evening after you speak with Reva.” They each took turns giving both Gray and herself a kiss on the cheek. “Suzy, it’s been a pleasure meeting you and I think I speak for Vicky when I say, we are both happy that you’re in our son’s life.”
“Happy heck, we are thrilled my dear. I was terrified he’d end up with some uptight, socialite. I’ve taught my boys well, Suzy. If you love them, they will take care of you for the rest of your life.”
“Um, Mom, it sounds like you’re discussing a puppy.” With more hugs, Gray’s parents were finally out the door and Gray collapsed against it when it closed. “Oh man, I’m so sorry baby; I know you weren’t expecting that. If you want to run now and never look back, I couldn’t blame you. I’d follow you, though, so you have fair warning.”
With a smile, Suzy said, “Are you kidding? I loved them! I wish my parents were like that. You have what I always dreamed of, cool parents. I wanted to ask your mother to borrow her outfit.”
With a fond smile, Gray walked over to the couch and settled in next to her. “Yeah, I really lucked out. Mom and Dad are the greatest and even though Mom is a bit of a meddler, you can’t help but adore her. Of course those boots of hers weren’t just made for walking. She kicked our butt plenty growing up, and she was right, we never could lie to her. She’s the original human lie detector. My dad has always been pretty easy going and he was who you went to when you wanted to discuss technology like computers or phones or if you wanted to borrow money. Mom was who we went to when our hearts were broken or we were feeling guilty about something. She’d throw us in the kitchen and as we baked, we talked. When whatever we had made was ready, Mom would get us both a plate and a glass of milk and we would sit at the bar with her until we felt better again. She might not look like Betty Crocker, but that woman can wield a mean whisk.”