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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: GATHERING (07/14/16)
I just know there’s going to be trouble.

When our young Lance started dating that cute little rich girl, it was a bitter pill for her parents to swallow. They were hoping their Jessica would end up with a doctor, or a lawyer, not a recently qualified diesel mechanic. I like Jessica, she’s always been very friendly when she’s been here—I believe it’s her mom who’s the tyrant.

Oh well, let’s see what happens today. The two families are meeting for the first time and the snooty Van Pletzens are arriving now in their chauffeur driven ‘caddie’. I’m not going to even try to get involved with this little lot, I’ll just watch from the verandah. As the oldest member of the family—almost eighty-six now—I’m getting too cranky. I’d probably tell the Van Pletzen’s to take their money and go and…go and buy the Brooklyn bridge! If Lance’s father were still alive, he would have told them something similar, I’m sure.

Mrs. VP is looking at our home with obvious disdain—I don’t doubt their servant quarters are bigger than our whole house. Oh goodness, Lance and Jessica are embracing, and kissing on the front pathway. Nan Crossly, Lance’s mom, is inviting the VPs to come inside and have some tea. Mr. VP—Jock—seems friendly enough—he is even giving Nan a hug; Mrs. VP doesn’t look too pleased about this. Now they’re heading this way.

“Hi Uncle Tom, how are you today?” Jessica smiles as she passes my chair. I just smile back. Mrs. VP doesn’t even look at me, but Jock gives me a nod and friendly word as he passes. I guess I’ll move to my usual chair in the corner of the lounge and make myself as inconspicuous as possible.

Lance has taken Jessica by the hand and is about to make an announcement. Could this be what I think it might be—it is—he’s announcing their engagement. Mrs. VP looks too stunned to get a word out. Jock has turned to Nan and is giving her another hug…well almost; Mrs. VP has grabbed him by the arm and is pulling him towards the door. Nan is looking distraught. “But what about tea?” she pleads hopefully.

Mrs. VP stands at the door and beckons Jessica to come, but Jessica merely clings to Lance, who places one arm around her, the other around Nan. With a final toss of her dyed curls, Mrs. VP storms towards where the chauffeur is waiting at the caddie. Jock is caught between them—he moves haplessly towards the retreating Mrs. VP, but then turns and heads back to where his daughter is standing with her ‘new’ family. I can see he’d rather be with them than with the fuming Mrs. VP, but on the other hand I’ve heard that she controls the purse strings. Oh my—what a dilemma for the poor bloke!

I’m glad nobody has asked my opinion; especially Mrs. VP—I might not have been too polite in my response to her.

Jock VP has moved to the table and is pouring the tea. Nan has joined him and is cutting the cake. Jessica and Lance seem unconcerned about anything that has happened; they have already moved into another world—one where they will be together and where they can make their own decisions about their future.

I think back to the times when I had a bit of romance in my life—long ago there was Alice—she was nice, but her family moved away before we really got started. Then there was Claudentia—terrible name—I called her Cuddles. We dated for ages. I muse for a while.

Back to the present—must stop dwelling in the past, it’s a sign of old age. Nan has been crying, but Lance and Jessica are both supporting her with hugs and kisses. I really like Jessica.

Jock has glanced outside and seen that the caddie has not driven off yet. I guess Mrs. VP realizes that she cannot alienate everyone around her. Jock hurries back into the lounge, gives the ladies a hug, and shakes Lance’s hand. “Welcome to the family,” he says, “and don’t worry about Mrs. VP, I’ll work on her.”

That’s enough excitement for one day. I’ll mosey along to the kitchen for a bite to eat, then up to Nan’s bed for the night. That’s one of the privileges of being Uncle Tom, the beloved family cat.
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This article has been read 561 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Laury Hubrich 
07/21/16
Okay! I didn't see that one coming. :)
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
07/25/16
I enjoyed your delightful sense of humor. Your conflict was intense and kept me on the edge of my chair. My only critique would be to introduce Uncle Tom sooner. I was halfway through, thinking it was a parent, but when those were shown not to be true, it interrupted the flow for me. I loved the ending, and I'm a suckered for a good twist. I think you could have still kept the surprise ending, but mentioned Uncle Tom right off. Now I'm going to read it again to see if I missed any clues. You did a great job of covering the topic too.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
07/25/16
I guess it wasn't halfway through when I ruled out the parents, but in the second paragraph, but it still had me scratching my head. ;)
Linda Goergen
07/27/16
Loved it! You got me hook line and sinker! Never expected the twist at the end and even thought saying he was going “up to Nan’s bed for the night” was a mistake, until the next line! Also was glad Jessica’s dad stood by her, when snooty mother would not. This was an enjoyable read.