027. Parents
"What are you doing standing out here?" Lorraine, looking lovelier than ever, hurried to me and threw her arms around my neck before planting a kiss on my lips.
"Just...preparing myself," I wasn't able to keep some seriousness out of my voice.
Lorraine laughed and swatted my shoulder. "Oh don't be silly! Come on, everyone's looking forward to meeting you."
She took my hand and pulled me into the house calling. "Everyone, George's here!"
The first Baines I had the benefit of coming face to face with was Lorraine's father.
He had his arms folded and a scowl on his face.
Crap...I'd kind of expected this...on the night of the dance Lorraine’s parents hadn't even invited me into the house, despite the downpour going on outside.
Mr. Baines though did seem to have that whole 'I'll disapprove of anything' look about him, so, I was thinking this would be the worst of it.
Until Mrs. Baines joined her husband, her face just as disapproving.
Lorraine didn't seem to notice, or bring attention to it if she did. "Mother, Father, you both remember George," she gave them the most beautiful smile.
Unfortunately, it was lost on them, they glared at me.
"McFly, right," Mr. Baines grunted, not extending his hand or anything.
"Yes, sir."
"What's your father up to these days?"
This question seemed a little...out of left field. "He's an accountant."
Mr. Baines nodded. "And what about your mother?"
Lorraine looked mortified. "Dad," she hissed.
"My mother...uh...I'm not really sure..."
Mr. Baines was looking at me as if I were some sort of idiot.
"I don't know where she is…Dad never talks about it."
"Hmm, really, how....interesting."
"Dad," Lorraine gave her father a glare.
"Just asking your boyfriend here some questions, especially since Mr. Klein was so stubborn about answering any."
"Dad," Lorraine blushed.
Mrs. Baines decided to say something, but it wasn't much better. "I hope you like meatloaf."
"Where’s everyone else?" Lorraine asked her voice rather loud. "I want them to meet George too."
"We're comin', we're comin'!" A voice called from the landing and her eldest brother, looking sour and wearing of all things with his suit a racoon skin cap. "I don't know why we had to get dressed up for this thing...it's not like you haven’t had heaps of boys over."
"Milton!" Lorraine threw a look that was half way between anger and helplessness at her mother.
"Milton, take that hat off, please." Was all Mrs. Baines said.
Milton didn't, but continued on down the stairs, followed by Lorraine's sister and her second youngest brother.
"Hi, I’m Sally," it was the first nice words I'd heard, she even smiled. "Are you going to go up to Lorraine's room like Calvin did?" She giggled.
"I can't believe this," I though I heard Lorraine whisper.
Mr. and Mrs. Baines glared at me as if I was the one who'd suggested it. "Uh...no, I'm here for dinner."
"Don't mind Toby," Sally said then, since he had wandered off without so much as a word. "He doesn't like strange people."
"Strangers, Sally," Lorraine hissed.
She just shrugged and asked her mother where dinner was.
"Hey, Joey just took dump!" Milton called. "Ewww, it stinks."
Sally and Toby burst out laughing, Mrs. Baines rolled her eyes and Lorraine, well, she wouldn't look at me.
"I have to get the meatloaf, would you take care of Joey, Lorraine?"
"Mother..." Lorraine looked ready to protest.
"Don't talk back, Lorraine," Mr. Baines interrupted.
"I..." she gave me a rather distressed look, her cheeks red with embarrassment. "I’ll be right back." She hurried to get Joey who was in a playpen in the dining room.
"Milton, Sally, Toby help me in the kitchen, please," Mrs. Baines ordered the rest and they all headed off, leaving me alone with Mr. Baines.
Nothing was said for a good five minutes and I considered asking to use the bathroom.
Before I could though, Mr. Baines took a step toward me. "I just want to say something to you, kid, no funny business. If you even think about messing around with my daughter -"
"No, sir, of course not," I was quick to say, wishing I was anywhere but here.
"Because I'll find out about it," Mr. Baines continued as if I hadn't said anything. "And you'll be sorry for it."
"Uh..."
Mr. Baines had nothing more to say, fortunately and turning headed for the dining room.
Yeah, this was going to be a fun evening...at least I suppose, I didn't have to worry about what had happened when Lorraine met my family.
Back to the Flash Fics