All morning my heart had decided to play the drums in a rock 'n' roll band. Not simply because I was doing last-minute chores to tidy the house.

Eric had decided to meet my family.

After cleaning the house to within an inch of its life, we all dressed in our Sunday best like upper-middle-class wannabes. Mom exited my room with a satisfied smile after checking every surface.

"It passes inspection," she said.

This joke usually made me laugh, but I couldn't even force one today. My fingertips tingled with adrenaline. 

Would Eric get along with my grandparents? Sure, he would.

But would they get along with him? That was the key question.

Mom had spared no expense in decking out the dining room table with a snack spread worthy of King Henry VIII. It included family favorites like shrimp cocktail, deviled eggs, crudité with three dips, two bowls of chips, some homemade chocolate chip cookies, and other finger food.

Normally we did this only for Christmas. 

Even after I'd told them it was too much, they wouldn't hear anything of it. They would accept nothing less for the guy I liked. 

Oh, brother.

Mom had decked the kitchen table with our finest tablecloth. Semi-formal Wedgwood wild strawberry dinner plates lay ready along with actual silverware that Mom had spent last night polishing to a fine sheen. She'd ironed the cloth napkins and made sure all the cutlery lined up just so along with the expensive crystal water goblets.

Well, at least she's taking this seriously.

As Eric closed the door to his Mercedes, my chest pulled tight with nerves. Shit, shit, shit! Please don't let him think we're weird. 

"Jess, dear. You will answer the door and introduce us," said Mom in a serious tone.

"Yes, Mom. I know how this goes."

"You will not neglect our guests this time," she insisted. "There will be no going to your room or playing video games on your own while we entertain him."

"Mom, he's my boyfriend."

Kind of. 

I think. 

Wait! Shit, should I have told them that? 

What if he doesn't think of me like that yet?

"Jessica, dear!" Mom chastised me in a sharp whisper. "He's coming up the stairs." 

"Thanks, Mom. I know." 

For the love of God! As though I'm not anxious enough. 

"Go to the door promptly," she said in an rapid-fire whisper, "but not too quickly. But don't make him wait either."

"I don't need a play by play."

"None of that backtalk," she said in a haughty tone. "Eric needs to know you come from good breeding."

Oh, for fuck's sake! Kill me now!

"Will you ladies relax?" muttered Grandad as Eric rang the doorbell. 

"Go on, dear..."

Jeez! Enough already!

When I opened the heavy steel door, there stood Eric ramrod straight dressed in a fine black suit and a starched shirt with a black tie. So tall. So slender. So sleek. Freshly shaven with a nicely trimmed haircut. 

Hot damn!

We stood there, staring at one another in silence for a second. Mom came up behind me and opened the screen door. "Hello there, Eric. Welcome to our home."

"Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Kouris." He presented her with a bouquet of bright sunflowers and carnations. "Thank you for inviting me. Jess said these are your favorite flowers."

"Well, aren't you a thoughtful young man?" She gave him a smile as she took them. "You can call me Carmel, by the way. I'll go ahead and put them in a vase."

When she left, Eric turned to me and grinned with self-assurance. Meanwhile, Grandad came up behind me while I was still too stunned to speak. 

"You must be Eric," he said with a gruff handshake. 

"Yes, sir." 

"We've heard a lot of good things about you."

"Thank you, sir." Eric matched his straight posture. "I brought a little something for dessert if that's all right."

"Oh, ho!" Grandad took the box of luxury peppermint chocolate thins and appraised Eric over the rims of his glasses. "You've done your research, young man."

He gave Grandad a friendly nod and clasped his hands behind his back. "Yes, sir."

"Call me Ted."

"Don't mind Jess," said Mom as she led everyone to the kitchen. "She's a bit shy at first when we have company."

I cast her a look that could kill a small horse. Mom, jeez!

Eric chuckled and grazed his hand across my shoulders, making me relax in an instant. "Jess is wonderful. She impressed all my friends."

Oh, no!

"All your friends?" said Grandad furrowing his brow.

"Yes, Helen and I have the same circle of friends," replied Eric with a charming smile while my heart prepared me to fight a bear. One named Ted. "She pulled a lot of strings to make sure Jess had the chance to see Holy Cross before she made her final decision."

"That happened because of you?" asked Mom, wide-eyed.

"No, that was all Helen."

"Thanks to both of you," said Mom. "We prayed that Jess would get that chance to stay. God worked through you to make it happen."

Eric stiffened next to me. 

Oh, God! Please don't. Please don't. It's going pretty well so far.

"Anything for Jess," he replied as he swept his hand between my shoulder blades. 

"Jess, why don't you give Eric a grand tour?" said Mom, urging us forward. 

I hated playing the role of hostess. My voice sounded stilted--even to me--as I showed him the family room. Eric caught sight of Tabitha as she sunned herself on the porch. 

"Ah, your cat," he said with a smile.

Eric lowered his finger near her nose, allowing her to make the first move. She sniffed it inquisitively and graced him with a cheek rub.

He grinned as he gave Tabitha an affectionate scratch behind the ears. She began to purr. 

"What is your secret?" I whispered. "You won everyone over. Even my cat."

Eric rose to his feet and wrapped his arms around me now that we stood alone. He nestled his head in the crook of my neck and planted a sweet kiss against my sensitive skin. 

"I missed you, my muse," he whispered in my ear, his warm breath fanning my cheek.

"I missed you, too."

"Are you all right?" He pulled back with a concerned look. "You're shaking."

"I'm nervous," I admitted. "You're the only man I've ever brought home."

A deep blush painted itself across his cheeks. "Don't worry, Jess. It'll be fine."

I led him through the back of the house. When we walked into my room, he studied it with a curious expression. His eyes landed on the crucifix and a small painting of the Virgin Mary, prompting him to raise a quizzical brow. That look melted away when he saw my embroidery.

"Did your grandmother make this?" he asked, casting an appreciative glance. "It's exquisite work."

A faint blush crossed my cheeks. "No..."

He turned to me with an expectant gaze. 

"I did."

"You did?" he asked as his eyes widened with surprise. "Well, you have real talent."

I shrugged. "I know it's not a common hobby for people my age..."

"Who cares?" He smiled and held my shoulders. "I study music, something no one expects from a scientist."

"Your music is beautiful," I insisted.

"As is your art."

"Thank you."

He gazed at me with wonder. 

"The thing is: I can't draw or paint," I said, biting my lower lip. "So needlework and crocheting is my way of doing that. Besides, it occupies your hands while watching TV."

"I think it's great," he said, his eyes twinkling.

"You do?"

He nodded and wrapped me in his arms. 

Eric broke the hug when we heard the slight rustle of Mom's skirt. She bustled to her room, which stood right across from mine. "Sorry, I forgot something for the table."

Yeah, right! She was totally spying. Both to hear Eric's words and to make sure he stayed a gentleman.

Eric pressed his forehead to mine and grinned. "I think we're making your family nervous."

"Should we go back?"

His eyes landed on my trophy shelf. "Yes, but first I need to see this."

"Oh, don't look! Please, it's embarrassing..."

"No, no. Let's see." Eric stared at all the plaques. "You've won dancing competitions?"

"Yeah, but it's no big deal," I said as my cheeks burned. 

"Poetry reading?" he mused under his breath. "Acting awards?" He turned to me. "You never told me you enjoyed acting."

"It was a long time ago."

"And science fair competitions!" he exclaimed under his breath, turning to me with a wry smile. "Jess Perez, you led me to think you were a disaster at all things science and math related."

"I'm interested in science," I said in a defensive tone, "but the math kills me."

He chuckled. 

"Don't let her fool you," said Mom as she peeked inside the room, drawing Eric's attention. "She's smart as a whip."

"One of the many reasons why I admire her."

My mouth fell open as I stared at him, standing proud and tall next to me. Good Lord! That was the closest he had ever come to "I love you" without actually saying it. 

My face burned like a simmering volcano. 

"Perhaps you should show Eric our living room, Jess?" said Mom before turning to Eric. "We have a piano and an organ, you know."

Subtle, Mom.

"It's no Steinway," she added, "but I hope you like it."

"I'm sure I will."

He walked next to Mom. She leaned toward him with a conspiratorial whisper. "I tried to teach her how to play, but she has no patience."

Mom!

Eric chuckled. "Jess has achieved much more than me. You must be very proud."

"Oh, we are." Mom's eyes twinkled. "We're hoping she gets into Holy Cross."

"It's a great school."

"You know, my brother..."

Oh, no! There she went again, bragging about the family's intelligence. Trying to prove to Eric that I had good breeding. 

For the love of God! What the hell was I? A brood mare?

Once we got to the living room, she cajoled him into playing a piece from our classical music collection. He played a beautiful rendition of "Für Elise" that made Mom tear up with emotion. 

Afterward they sat side by side and played a flawless duet. Grandad perched in one of the armchairs as we listened. Mom and Eric exchanged a smile, neither one of them staring at the music.

At the end, we both clapped. They both got up and gave a comical bow. 

"Right, well. I should go and prepare the dinner," said Mom. "Jess, would you come with me?"

"I thought I was supposed to--?"

"I need your help with something," said Mom with a pointed look that brokered no argument.

Ahh, Grandad's gonna give him The Talk.

I cast a sympathetic look in Eric's direction, but he gave me a knowing smile. One that reassured me that everything would be fine. With reluctance, I rose and followed Mom into the kitchen.

"Well, I never...!" Mom put her arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. "God has blessed you with a real treasure there, Jess."

Told you!

"You keep a hold of him no matter what," she insisted.

"I intend to."

Her features clouded over with concern. "Do you think there's any way of converting him to the Faith?"

"Mom!"

"He's a perfect match for you in every way," she said, gushing with enthusiasm. "He's handsome, polite, well dressed, well spoken, accomplished, musical, intelligent, affectionate..."

See? Once you gave him a chance!

Mom pressed her lips into a thin line. "But there's that one sticking point."

"No man is perfect, Mom." 

He is to me...

"That's true, dear." She sighed. "But this point is quite important."

"If he respects my faith and I respect his, why does it matter?" I asked. 

"How will you raise your children, for example?"

"Mom!" I growled in frustration as she juggled all the food to make sure everything arrived to the table hot. "We're not getting married in five seconds."

"That young man gazes at you like you're his whole world," Mom said in a solemn tone. "Don't lead him on if you can never have a long-term relationship with him."

"Who says we can't?"

"You couldn't marry him in the Church."

My mouth fell open. She ignored my protest and called the others to the dinner table. 

Grandad sported a proud smile as he took his place at the head of the table. Mom sat on his right while I sat on his left. With an equally proud grin, Eric took his place beside me and folded his napkin in his lap. 

The Talk must have gone well. 

When Eric reached for the chicken in front of him, Mom gave a disapproving sound. A sharp click of her tongue. Eric pulled back as though he'd been burned, his cheeks flushed.

"Forgive me," he muttered. 

"Eric, dear. Would you mind saying Grace?" she asked, her tone a touch too saccharine.

Oh, no, you don't!

Fury boiled within me. This was Mom's attempt to assert dominance. To make it clear to Eric and me that he was more than welcome--but only if he accepted the Catholic faith.

"Perhaps Jess could say it?" he replied with a kind smile. 

"I'd really like you to say it, Eric dear," insisted Mom in a firm tone. "Please bless our table. It's the honor of the guest."

Eric squared his shoulders. 

Oh, no!

"With all due respect," he said in an equally firm tone, "I haven't been raised to say Grace. So I'm afraid I don't know the prayers."

"Perhaps you can lead him, Jess."

"Mom!"

I cast her a look that could only mean, Stop it this instant! You're embarrassing me!

"Young man, we are proud believers in the Faith," said Mom as I sank into my chair. "If you eat from the Lord's bounty, you say Grace."

"I agree with your suggestion," he said in equal fervor, "which is why Jess should say it."

"Carmel, let Jess say Grace," muttered Grandad. "It doesn't matter."

"If this young man partakes of our food at our table, he will say Grace," insisted Mom. 

I cast Eric an uneasy expression. He didn't return my gaze as a muscle tensed in his jaw. My mind's ear could almost hear the gears turning at high speed as he analyzed the situation. 

A zero-sum game with no solution.

Except the one he hadn't calculated.

"Bless us, oh Lord," I said in an angry hiss as I gave Mom an evil glare, "and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty through Christ, our Lord. Amen."

I didn't make the sign of the cross once. Not before or after. A serious faux pas that would make my point without a hint of uncertainty.

Mom jutted her chin. "Eric, dear," she said, only this time the pet name was laced with barbed wire, "would you please pass the potatoes?"

"Yes, Mrs. Kouris," he replied tersely as he handed them to her.

Somehow we got through that horrific dinner. It seemed to last three days rather than thirty minutes. My stomach tied itself in knots as I poked at my food in silence. Complete silence. Broken only by people asking for items to be passed to and fro with exaggerated politeness. 

Meanwhile, I wilted like a sunflower without water. 

As soon as dessert had ended, Eric rose to his feet and buttoned his suit coat. "I'm afraid I have a lot of studying to do for finals. So if you'll please excuse me..."

Mom gave him a look of glinted steel, belying her kind words. "We were hoping a polite young man such as yourself would stay for a game of--"

Oh, my God! Mom, I'm gonna kill you!

"Let the young man go," muttered Grandad to Mom as though Eric weren't even standing in the room. "You're not going to convert him to Catholicism if you play a game of Scrabble or 45s."

God, kill me now! If you have any mercy at all, you'll kill me now.

Eric tugged at his dress coat. "Mrs. Kouris." He gave Mom a curt nod. "Mr. Kouris." He nodded at Grandad. "Thank you for dinner. It was delicious and thoughtful to go through such trouble."

I rose to my feet. "Eric, please don't go!"

He didn't even glance my way. "Perhaps we can have a game another time, Mrs. Kouris?" he said in a choked voice that made my heart collapse upon itself. 

"Eric, please."

No one rose to say goodbye except me. 

"I'll let myself out," he said with an awkward bow of his head. "Good night."

"Let him go," said Mom after he disappeared from sight. 

"The hell I will," I hissed at her. "You should be ashamed of yourself."

I rushed to the foyer and closed the door before he could leave. He searched my face with a pained look. 

It broke my heart. 

"Eric, I'm begging you. Please. I don't--"

He must have been beside himself. Without even asking, he cupped my cheeks and planted a kiss on my forehead. I closed my eyes, willing my tears not to fall.

He pressed his forehead to mine and spoke in a soft whisper. "I admire you, Jess. With all my heart." 

"I'm so, so sorry."

"But I will not endure that again, my muse," he said in a firm tone. "Even for you."

"Eric, don't go!"

He paused before closing the door softly behind him. "I won't make you choose."

Eric left without another word as I watched him drive away.

Storming back into the kitchen, I glared at Mom and Grandad. While he looked worried, upset, and a bit contrite while Mom stood proud as ever. Unwilling to budge an inch.

"This has gone on long enough," I said, furious. "It's clear you'll never see me as an adult with my own mind."

Grandad pressed his lips into a fine line. "Jess, please. That's not true."

"I'd planned on going to college nearby," I said. "You know? So that I could visit for the holidays?"

"Jess, dear!" 

Mom began to cry those crocodile tears. Uh-uh. No way. I wasn't having that. 

"We're only doing this because we love you," she cried.

I held up my hand. "What you didn't know is that I also applied to a school in California."

"Where your mother's family live?" exclaimed Grandad, wide-eyed. "You can't be serious."

"Yes, I am."

"No, Jess!" Mom rose to her feet. "We worked so hard to help you. Don't throw it all away."

"My mother is bat-shit crazy," I retorted, "but the rest of the family are nice."

"You don't even know them."

"I'm an adult, and I'll forge my own path." I stood tall. "Here if I can, there if I must."

They stood speechless, shocked by my words.

"Either you accept Eric and me, or you won't. Either way, this is happening." I grabbed my packed schoolbag from the closet. "I'll be at Care's house. Let me know what you decide."

I left without another word.