Chapter Seven

Rob had been home to Mia’s parents’ several times for dinner, and even overnight. He enjoyed meeting her married friends there, and everyone commented on what a great couple they made, and how nice Rob was. He got along well with her parents and he could tell they would be pleased if Rob would marry their daughter, and there were always broad hints that they should settle down to have grandchildren that they could spoil.

Cheryl had told her, “You need to grab onto this one with both legs and never let go.” Al had taken to Rob right away, and they traded hockey stories all evening. Rob even promised “I’ll let you know when we do our fantasy hockey draft, so you can join in by computer and choose your teams.” With nearly one thousand dollars up for grabs for the winner, Al was excited to be included, and Rob told him he’d have a hard time beating out any of the others in the draft, to win the money. Rob had come close to winning, but hadn’t yet claimed the big jackpot. He was hoping wherever he was when they did the draft, his computer would work and he could claim the players he wanted.

Mia’s mother said, “That Rob is so witty and such a good sport about golfing in the family golf tournament, even though he’s obviously never held a golf club in his hand before.” Mia figured her mother’s appreciation of Rob had more to do with his compliments on her cooking than his golf.

Mia’s brothers and friends had a great time giving Rob instruction and tips on his so-called golf game, and ensuring he was well supplied with beer from the coolers at every hole all day. He even laughed when he received the highest gross score and was handed the family’s joke trophy which was the back half of a donkey, mounted on a wooden base.

This visit, he was there for Mia’s dad’s fiftieth birthday, when he met the whole family, even cousins, aunts and uncles. Mia’s dad didn’t like presents, and always asked that instead of presents, his kids and grand kids put money in the bank for education or to buy real estate, and just put the deposit slip in his birthday card.

On this particular occasion, he told Mia privately, to just put a note in his card, saying she and Rob were engaged, and it would be the best present of all. Mia didn’t know what to say to that, even though she would have liked the same thing. Thank goodness Dad had told her privately, instead of announcing it to all and sundry as he often did. She loved her mom and dad, but neither of them could keep a secret, and neither of them could avoid the temptation to tell their adult kids what to do, as if they were all twelve again.

Rob felt just as at home with Mia’s family as he did his own. His family was a bit quieter and more reserved about showing their feelings, but he had grown up with the knowledge that his family was his rock, and he could always count on them for any kind of support or advice. His relatives were as bad as Mia’s, and they all felt that as the oldest, it was his duty to get married first, and provide grandchildren. However, with his hectic work schedule, and frequent traveling, he ended up being best man for two of his brothers, and uncle to two lively nephews, long before he had met Mia.

Rob wanted to have the love he saw in his brothers’ eyes, and he knew in his heart he had found that love in Mia. Now, his only problem was how to tell her and then ensure she would still be around if he had to leave her for two years. He was so shaken by the thought he would have to leave her that he broke out in a cold sweat. He would have to tell her soon. His assignment had come through this past week, and he had to make plans to sublet his apartment, and store his belongings. Mia had never been to his apartment because he preferred the cozy hominess of her place. His was just a place to store his stuff, while hers was actually a home. It was a good thing he wouldn’t have to invite her to his place, as he would be staying with his parents for the last few weeks before he left the country. Since I only use my cell phone, she won’t have to know I’ve given up the apartment, Rob thought.

Mia noticed Rob was uncharacteristically silent—almost morose, she felt—all the way back to the city.