Could you please write a follow up to lipstick stain sometime? - the Friday night dinner.
Tonight Elaine would finally get some answers, Gail would be arriving with her mystery guest any moment. Elaine checked the roast in the oven for the third time in twenty minutes. She’d been torturing herself for the past day and a half on trying to figure out who this woman was that made her grouchy daughter smile. She had debated on telling Bill her suspicions about Gail but decided that it was up to Gail to share her news. All she told her husband was that Gail was bringing a guest.
Elaine was genuinely curious about what kind of woman her daughter would fall for. She’d never liked any of the men, boys really, that Gail involved herself with. The Diaz boy hadn’t been that bad, Crispin or Carl, but he wasn’t strong enough for Gail, couldn’t love her the way she deserved. Soldier boy was another story, she hated him. Not only did he leave her daughter at the alter but made her feel less than worthy of love. Now Elaine knew she had a hand in Gail’s self esteem issues but that was only because she knew that Gail could be extraordinary if she’d only try.
She was pulled from her thoughts as Bill knocked on the counter, “A strange SUV just pulled up, I think it’s Gail.” Elaine nodded and rinsed her hands at the sink. Ready or not the mystery was about to be solved.
Gail parked Holly’s jeep but made no move to take off her seat belt. “There’s still time to turn around and go home, we can watch Buffy on netflix.” Gail offered.
Holly squeezed Gail’s hand, “Listen Gail if you’re not ready to tell your parents about us then we can wait, you can stay here and I’ll pick you up later. I understand if you’re nervous or scared, I’m not going to push you into anything.”
“I’m not scared of telling them, I’m terrified of them scaring you off. My parents are not like yours Holly, I know that they love me in their own weird way but they are not the best with change and trust me you are a huge change in my life.” Gail admitted.
“I don’t scare that easy, now let’s go inside, eat some dinner and face an interrogation from two high ranking police officers. It should be fun.” Holly joked as she kissed Gail.
Gail knocked only once before Elaine opened the door. It was in that moment where Holly locked eyes with her girlfriend’s mother was the moment she could admit that she was absolutely terrified. Scared that the Pecks would hate her, that they would react badly to Gail coming out, and most of all petrified that Gail would run up a tree. She wanted to run but she stayed put and grabbed Gail’s hand.
“Gail. Dr. Stewart?” Elaine looked flummoxed for a second but recovered. “Come in, dinner will be done in a few minutes. I hope you like roast beef.” Elaine walked away and left them standing in the doorway.
Gail bumped Holly’s shoulder, “This is weird, I think my mother has been abducted by aliens.”
They walked into the living room to find Gail’s father reading something on his phone. He looked up and smiled at the sight of Gail, “Piglet! You’re here!”
“Piglet?” Holly mouthed and Gail shrugged.
“Holly Stewart! I know, George down at lab can’t sing your praises loud enough. Bill Peck.” He offered his hand.
Holly took it and gave it a firm shake. “Nice to meet you sir.”
“Please call me Bill. Can I get you two something to drink? I have a new bottle of bourbon that I’ve been dying to have the opportunity to open.” Both women nodded, alcohol might help.
Just as Bill gave them their drinks Elaine called them into the dining room. Holly looked over to Gail and tried to read her mind but Gail was unreadable. They sat down and plates were filled, no one said anything and Holly wondered if this was typical of a Peck dinner. It looked like all three Pecks wanted to say something but held their tongue. Just when Holly was convinced that they’d go all night without saying a word Gail dropped her fork and blurted out, “I’m gay, I’m in love with Holly and I live with her. Can you pass the gravy bowl?”
Holly waited for one of the Peck parents to react but instead Bill simply passed the gravy to Gail. Gail looked like she was ready to pass out but sat tall in her chair. It was Elaine that spoke first, “Well I hope that your house is better than that frat house that she had been living in; seriously Gail the building didn’t even have a working elevator.”
Gail cleared her throat, “You did catch the part where I said I was gay right?”
Bill nodded, “I’ve known since you were four. You had the biggest crush on that tv character Punky Brewster. I’ve just been waiting for you to figure it out. Nice to see that you have much better taste in women than you do in men.”
“Its not the biggest surprise of the night dear, honestly I was more shocked that you’re dating Dr. Stewart, I would have bet money that you were seeing Detective Anderson.” Elaine admitted.
“Me and Frankie? That’s just so much eww.” Gail turned to Holly, “You have nothing to worry about there.”
Elaine stood, “If we’re done here Gail can you help me clear the table.” It wasn’t a request but an order. Holly picked up her plate and Elaine took it from her. “Oh no, why don’t you go help Bill with freshing up our drinks.”
Holly followed Bill and knew that this was probably the shovel talk time. Bill took her glass and held it, “My daughter said that she loves you, I’ve never heard her say that about anyone other than our old dog Monty. Do you love her?”
Holly nodded, “Yes sir, with all my heart I love her.”
Bill set down the glass, “My little girl has gone through more than anyone should in a lifetime; she’s been hurt. I need to know that you’ll protect her.”
“Good, I don’t think I need to show you the gun cabinet do I?” Bill said menacingly.
Holly shook her head, “No sir.”
Bill clapped his hands, “Excellent! You’re already my favorite of Gail’s…partners.”
They were joined by Gail and Elaine and the rest of the evening went by with the Pecks reminding Gail about the upcoming detective rotation and Gail telling them that she’d think about it.
Soon they were leaving, Holly shook hands with both Peck parents and thanked them for dinner. Gail kissed Bill’s cheek and accepted a hug from her mother. They walked out to the car, Holly took the keys from Gail and started the car. “That went better than I expected. What did you mother say when you were alone in the kitchen?”
“She told me not to screw this up, that you are a good one.” Gail said as she buckled up. “I agreed with her and promised not to fuck things up. Then she scolded me for swearing. Did my dad try to scare you off? Did he show you his gun collection?”
Holly laughed as she pulled out of the driveway, “He just told me to treat you well and if I didn’t then he’d show me the gun collection. It will take more than that to scare me off.”
Gail chuckled and kissed Holly’s outstretched hand. “Oh you just wait until they bring up marrage and when are we going to make them grandparents. Welcome to the Peck family Holly, your life will never be the same.”
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