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Originally penned in 1994
Unchanged and unedited since 1994
A late and cold desert night, my new fiancé and I arrived in the small California town of Ridgecrest. The town lifeless for the night, we drove through the lonely streets uninterrupted by traffic, not saying a word. We had been on the road for twelve hours and we had grown tired of the senseless bantering all couples seem to go through on long trips. Being the first trip of such length neither of us had expected the tension and silence that had accompanied us.
My fiancé, being of the new independent breed, had a hard time adjusting to the fact that I would not allow her to drive. Myself, I simply had a hard time driving with someone who was constantly fooling with every knob and button in the car. When I tried to explain to her how my driving was a gesture of chivalry passed down to me by my grandfather who never let my grandmother drive Amber snorted the word "whatever" under her breath and looked out the window. This marked the end of our conversation for the remainder of the trip as well as ending any control I had over the radio.
"I cannot believe you grew up here."
"At times neither can I"
"This place is small. Norman Rockwell small."
"Yep."
As I stopped at the red light I took a moment to look around the old town and just smiled. Over my left shoulder was the Dairy Queen where I spent so many hot summer afternoons talking crap and chasing girls. I could vividly remember my best friend and I riding our motorcycles through the desert for hours only to end up hanging out in the parking lot of the Dairy Queen.
"The light is green." Amber had her finger pointed up at the traffic signal ahead of us.
"Thanks."
I made the familiar right on Upjohn, drove two blocks up and made the familiar left into my grandparent's driveway. Their house was a simple, ranch style home with wooden shutters, green trim and an orange tree in the front. Though the house was an ugly shade of green, and despite offers from my father to paint the place, my grandfather simply refused by letting us know the house was that color when he bought it and it would be that color when he died. Knowing how much Grandpa hated change, and also knowing that arguing with him was a dead end, we just let it be. Green it was and that was that.
"Lights are on, looks like they are waiting up."
Amber smiled at me, "According to you they always do."
Releasing my body from the grips of the seatbelt I turned to Amber and took her had. The light of the desert sky poured through the sunroof as we just sat there staring into each other's eyes. We made this trip to introduce Amber to the one woman who could make or break our relationship. Ever since I was little my grandmother and I had formed a bond that had grown throughout my years. Even in college if there was one person who I could talk to and count on for up front, real advice it was always Grandma. In many ways my grandmother was the matriarch of our family. She called the shots and everyone listened. This meant that gaining her acceptance was the one thing left for Amber to do. Amber had been well received by my mother and father and she had even passed the test of meeting my sister, but at the end of the day everyone warned her of my grandmother's protective streak when it came to her first born grandson. Amber was given to pieces of advice; 'if you can't cook you better pretend' and 'learn to play SkipBo'. She had been sitting on pins ever since.
"You ready for this kiddo?"
"I guess we'll see, won't we."
"Yep."
"Are you sure she'll like me?"
"I love you so that means Grandma has to at least like you."
"That's not what your mother said."
Leaning over I held her face in my hands, stared into her eyes and kissed her deeply on the lips, "They're waiting so we had better get our butts in there before my Grandpa Odell comes out and starts hollerin"
"Hollerin?" Amber began to laugh.
"You'll see. Trust me." I leaned in and kissed her again, "I'll grab the bags. Why don't you go ring the bell."
"No way. You get the bags and then you ring the bell. I am not leaving your side for even a second."
"Okay sissy." I opened the trunk of the rented Ford and just shook my head, "Do you think you brought enough stuff? I have one suitcase compared to your three. We are only here for three days."
It took me ten minutes and one case of hernia to get all the bags out of the trunk. As much as I loved Amber, her affection for over packing and shoes was killing me.
"I wasn't sure if we would be dressing up or not."
"I told you sexy, if we go out at all it will be to Texas Cattle Company. The highlight of the place is a toy train that hangs from the roof and runs the track all night long. That is the nicest place in town. Put on your Rock 'n Republic jeans and you will be over dressed."
Amber walked over to me and put her arms around my neck, "Do you love me?"
In all my years if there was one thing I learned about women it was that when they asked men 'do you love me' the only thing that followed was trouble.
"Don't you dare start that tonight." I smiled at her and kissed the tip of her nose, but from her devilish smile I knew it was too late for me.
"Do you?"
"Of course I do."
"Then get the bags and get over to that door. I brought what I brought. Your job is to carry it all. Oh, and I love you too honey."
"Thanks bebe. Let's get inside before the coyotes get a whiff of your city stink and come running for blood."
"Very funny."
"Think so? You're just lucky I love you or I'd just leave all of these bags in the car."
"Don't think sooooo." Amber reached out and slapped me on the butt.
Before I had a chance to get the last bag on the doorstep my grandmother was standing behind the screen door with a smile on her face bigger than the crescent moon. Her curly gray hair was in perfect place and her brown eyes were alive with excitement.
"Well gosh; look at all of those bags. Papa told me there were a couple of city slickers in the drive, but I didn't think you two were going to be here until tomorrow. Papa, come look at all these bags." My grandmother opened the screen and pulled me through the doorway where she wrapped her arms around me and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
"We had planned on staying a night at the ranch, but dad was patching a line at the spring and wasn't going to be home for at least a day." I stepped aside and allowed Amber to walk into the house. Even though she was smiling I could tell her nerves were on edge.
"Well, get the rest of those bags in here and have a seat. Papa has coffee on and I have pie in the fridge."
With the last bag in I made my way to the fireplace and sat down on the hearth. The warmth of the fire felt spread over my cold skin and instantly made me feel at home.
"Son, I don't think you should be sitting down until you come over here and give your papa a hug."
"Sorry Papa." I quickly stood up and gave my grandfather a hug.
"That's more like it son. Now you had better introduce us to that young philly before Red gets upset."
"I know. I know." I quickly walked over to Amber and held her hand, "Grandma, Grandpa, this is Amber."
"Well papa, we knew who she was." My grandmother walked over to Amber and gave her a hug, "Don't you two listen to papa, he's just being ornery."
I grabbed Amber by the hand and walked her to the couch, "If I close my eyes I think I will pass out."
"You know Red, she's even prettier than the pictures Brian sent up."
Amber looked over, shooting me a glance that could kill. I knew right away that she was mad at me for having sent photos without her approval. She hated having her picture taken and she hated even more when I emailed anything without her go ahead. Knowing Amber I knew this was something she would bring up later. Placing my hand on hers I tried to stay calm, but her elbow in my ribs didn't help the situation.
"How was the trip? Red and I have had the news on since you two got on the road. Didn't see any storms so we figured you'd have a clear shot through the pass."
"We took the road down from Adelanto and then headed through Four Corners. The road was empty so the trip didn't take as long as we thought. The rental car gets great gas mileage and runs smooth."
"Speaking of trips, can I ask you something Mrs. Baker?"
I immediately shot a look at Amber, but her evil smile had beaten me to the punch and I knew exactly where she was going.
"Well sure honey, but you better call me Grandma or Dottie. Geesh." My grandma reached out and patted Amber on the hand.
"Whenever you and your husband take road trips does he let you drive? Even when he was tired Brian wouldn't let me drive. He said it ran in his family. I told him the only thing that was running was his mouth."
My grandmother began to laugh out loud, "Well honey, I don't know if it runs in the family, but to tell you the truth I never liked to drive all that much anyhow."
Leaning forward in his chair my grandfather looked directly at Amber and slapped his hand down against his open palm, "Never. Red never drives. Hell, that's just the way it is."
I began to laugh, "See? I told you."
Amber jabbed her elbow even deeper into my side. Noticing the look on her face I took that as a sign to exit.
"Well we had better hit the sack. I am exhausted." I walked over to my grandmother and gave her a hug and a kiss goodnight.
"You two do what you want. Papa and I are going to sit here and finish our coffee before we head off. Make sure you two wake up hungry. It's biscuits, gravy and bacon in the morning."
"You always know how to make my smile grandma." I walked over to my grandpa and shook his hand, "Night papa."
"Goodnight son."
Amber stood close to my side as she looked at each of them and said her goodnights.
"Amber we get up early around here and I do expect you'll be in the kitchen with me in the morning."
Amber gave me a look of torment and worry, "Yes ma'am."
Without saying a word I ushered Amber to the back bedroom and did my best not to laugh.
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As I lied next to Amber I kissed her lightly on the cheek. I knew she was trying to ignore me and that only made me try harder.
"I ignored you the first time. If your belly wasn't always warning me that you are behind me you might be good at the sneaky stuff."
"You think that's funny don't you" I pulled Amber onto her back and climbed on top of her.
"What do you think you are doing?" She did her best to wiggle her way from underneath me.
"Where do you think you are going?" I squeezed my hand under the covers and found her waist where I began to tickle her frantically. The sounds of her laughter filled the room and the smile on her face made me want to hold on to her forever.
"You win. YOU win! Now get off of me fat boy." Amber reached up and gave me a hard shove.
Falling off of her I came to rest at her side, one arm still around her. I placed my head on her chest and closed my eyes. As she slowly ran her fingers through my hair I knew I wanted to stay with her for the rest of my life. I had never felt so close to any woman as I did her. With a single touch she could make me feel like nothing in the World mattered except us.
"Do you think she likes me?"
"After that comment you made about my driving, I am sure she does." I ran my fingers down length of her thigh, "Do you think you could scratch that spot between my shoulder blades. I have an itch that is driving me nuts."
"I am serious."
"So am I. That spot is killing me."
Amber slapped her arms down at her side and became quiet. I knew instantly she had begun to pout. This was the one thing she knew would get a reaction out of me no matter how hard I tried to ignore her.
"Don't you even start that stuff with me."
"I have to. You won't be serious. This is important to me."
"Every woman in my family thinks I would be crazy to not marry a woman like you." As soon as the words left my mouth I knew I had made a mistake.
"What do you mean, a woman like me?" Amber shot me a look that clearly stated I should think long and hard before answering.
As I started to laugh I sat up and stretched my arms towards the ceiling, "Forget it, please for get I even said that. Let's get up and get some breakfast. I can smell the gravy and my stomach is growling."
"Is she going to be mad I didn't help?"
Her sincerity made me smile, "She doesn't get mad. Just tell her you overslept before she says anything to you."
With a few nudges and some subtle persuasion I was able to get Amber out of bed and into her robe and eventually down the hall. Grandpa was already at the table with a deck of cards, well into a game of Solitaire.
"Well looky here papa, it's sunshine and daylight." Grandma smiled and winked at us.
"You kids finally decided to get out of bed, did ya?" Papa slapped another card on the table and made a disappointed sigh.
"Well, you two had better sit down and eat. Papa already had his. He was tired of waiting for you two."
"It was all her fault Grandma." I shot Amber a mischievous smile as I took the cup of coffee from her outstretched hand and took a seat at the table.
"Now Heidi, I wouldn't let him get away with that if I were you." Grandma shook her finger at me.
"I won't Mrs. Baker, you can bet on it." Amber finished stirring her coffee and took a seat at the breakfast bar, "I am sorry for not helping out this morning."
Grandma walked over and put her had on Amber's shoulder, "Don't you worry about it hon. I know you two are wiped out from your trip."
Having finished two helpings of biscuits and gravy along with several pieces of bacon and a couple of eggs I sat back in my chair and rubbed my stomach as my grandmother brought me a fresh cup of coffee and cleared my plate. Amber shot me a quick look of disapproval as she kicked me in the shin. At home it was my job to clear my own plate and there was no way she would ever approve of me being waited on.
In an attempt to save my hide and allow the two women to talk I quickly excused myself and made my way into the living room. My grandfather was already in his brown BARCO lounger, his feet up, toothpick hanging out of the corner of his mouth and college football on the television. For a guy who never had a favorite team he knew more about the game and the players than I did.
"Those girls run you outta there big boy?"
"Absolutely. Who's playing?" I grabbed a pillow from the couch and lied down on the floor.
"Looks like Texas and Oklahoma."
As I stretched out on the floor and enjoyed the warmth of the fire I could hear Amber and my grandmother talking about me in the kitchen. The two of them were laughing and discussing how we met. A subject close to Amber's heart she gladly rambled through our history.
Smiling to myself I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
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"Did you have a good nap?"
I opened my eyes and looked up at Amber who was standing above me smiling, "Pretty good. Where is everyone?"
"They are both out back, sitting on the patio and sipping at some wine."
"Are you still planning on making dinner?" I slowly climbed to my feet.
"I am and I already went to the store."
"Well aren't you ambitious." I smiled at her and kissed her on the cheek.
"You are going to get them out of here, right?"
"You bet. Let me hop in the shower and then I will take them on a walk."
"Want some company?" Amber reached her hand behind me and squeezed my butt.
"Easy there sexy, we can handle that later tonight." I smiled at here and made my way down the hall.
Amber had come up with the idea of making dinner for my grandparents the moment my mother told her how important it was that she be able to cook. Amber didn't make too many meals at home, but the one thing she did make was Rosemary Chicken and Rice. As much as I loved my grandmother's biscuits and grave I also loved Amber's chicken. Because we lived in L.A. and I my schedule at the studio kept me on the go we ate out most nights and didn't really have the time or energy to cook. Tonight was special for her though. Tonight she wanted to make the best impression she could and it meant the world to me that she would put herself out there the way she was. My grandmother had spent her life in the kitchen. She had owned several restaurants and hadn't touched a recipe in twenty years. She could cook anything from scratch and measured only by using her eyes. Amber on the other hand needed the cookbooks to be on the counter and measuring devices ready to go. Tonight was definitely going to be an adventure.
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As we walked down the street I couldn't help but smile as I stared out at the night sky. Every time I made it home it became harder and harder to leave. Regardless of how small the town was I had a great childhood. The friends I had made were lifelong ones and the people in this town were as friendly as any I had ever met. Raising a family in a small town certainly had its advantages.
"You know Brian; you need to marry that girl." My grandmother wrapped her arm around me and gave me a wink.
"I plan on it."
"Papa and I think she's darling."
"So do I."
With that we kept walking up the block and towards the house. The sun had started to set behind the mountains and that meant it was time for Papa to open a bottle on wine and get back to his Solitaire.
As we made our way up the front walk my grandfather placed his hand on my arm and took me aside, "son, you only get so many chances in life where the guarantee is written out in plain English. That young philly in there is one of them. You do your best to make her happy and you listen to everything she has to say. At the end of the day you just nod your head and smile."
"I plan to sir."
"Good. Now hold the door open for your grandmother."
With that we went inside where we were greeted by the smell of Amber's fresh rosemary and wild rice.
"I think we have been had Papa."
"I think so, Red."
Heidi was sitting at the table, her face washed in the light from the candles, her hands were shaking and she was doing her best to fake a smile. At that moment I knew I would love her forever.
"Brian told me how important it was that he marries a woman who could cook. I have to admit I am not the best, but I try. Everything is from scratch. I hope you enjoy it."
Grandma walked over to Amber and hugged her, "Dear, I am sure we will love it."
With that we all sat down and enjoyed the meal Amber had prepared for us.
That night after the poker games had been played and Papa had beaten us at SkipBo, Grandma and Amber stayed in the dining room and talked until the sun came up.
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With our car packed, we stood in the driveway said our goodbyes doing our best not to cry. My grandfather shook my hand and patted me on the shoulder once again telling me how luck I was while grandma hugged Amber one last time.
"One last thing." Amber reached into her purse and pulled out the envelope she had been waiting the weekend to deliver.
"I wanted to make sure you liked me before I gave this to you."
My grandmother took the envelope and opened it. As she read the wedding invitation she started to cry, "You lady I don't think Brian could be any more blessed than he is to be with you."
"Thank you." This time Amber was the one who did the hugging.
"So we will see you two in three months?"
"You can count on it." Papa opened the door to the Ford and let Amber get in.
"I will call you when we get back to L.A." I kissed my grandmother on the cheek and got into the car.
As we started our drive out of town neither of us said a word. We just enjoyed the silence of the drive. The desert air was filled with the sweet smell of raid as the clouds started to roll in over the mountains. If there was one thing I missed about the desert it was the smell of the rain.
"Hopefully the rain will hold until we get through the pass." I looked at amber and smiled.
She reached over and took my hand in hers. Gently she caressed the top of my hand with her thumb, "They were nice."
"That they are."
"She really loves you."
"My grandmother will always have a place in my heart that only belongs to her."
She squeezed my hand, "I love you too."
I pulled the car to the side of the road and held both of her hands to my chest, "My grandmother may own a place in my heart, but for the rest of our lives every ounce of me will belong to you."
"You are the sweetest man."
"I try."
"Give me a kiss."
"Only if you promise not to touch the radio."
"Jerk." Amber let go of my hand and pinched me on the leg.
As I laughed we both leaned in and kissed each other deeply and passionately. I pulled the car back to the road and even as the rain started to fall we laughed and talked he entire trip home, not once turning on the radio.
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It was great!...and to think, it is unedited since 1994
More power to your writing & rdadslife!