I watched a black Expedition stop at the top of the nearest hill. The setting sun shone on it, and I had to squint to see better.
“Tabitha! Come help me!” yelled my mother from the kitchen.With one last look out the window I turned and ran out of my large dark room and down the 2 sections of old stairs that would stop at the 1st floor.I burst through the heavy bronze doors. The smell in the peach colored kitchen told me, mom was baking pies.
“Sweetie, help me out here.” Mom brushed a little dark curl away from her slender face and wiped her forehead on the back of her delicate hand.
“We expecting company?” I asked curiously.
“Yes, we are five young men,” she panicked, “Why are they here? I’m not even ready for them yet. The pies…”
“Mom, I was just asking, calm down. Take a chill pill. They’re not here yet.” The doorbell rung and I heard dad come in from the living room. Mom went on again, “I don’t even have the table set. I got to…”
“Mom, I’ll set the table go and introduce yourself to the guests.” Another ring sounded, “Mom, go with dad… act happy.” I shooed her out. I opened the cupboard where the plates were kept.
I listened as mom and dad invited the guests in the Ballroom. “Hello welcome to Swan Mansion. Are you guys James, Joey, Josh, Justin, and Chris?” mom asked. WHO ELSE WOULD THEY BE? I thought.
Dad finally took over the introduction. I was glad; mom might have scared them off before I could take a look at them. “This is my wife, Dorothy. I am Walter just call me Wally.” Dad shook hands with them all.The unfamiliar guys said something but I couldn’t hear them.
“Sweetie, come out here,” mom called for me. I put the last crystal glass on the table, straightened my black tang top, looked in the mirror at my blonde hair one last time before walking into the ballroom. One of the guys’ jaw drops like he never saw a pretty girl before.
“This is Tabitha, our daughter.” I smiled my sweet smile that nobody can resist but to smile back.
“Tabitha, would you show these young guys their room? Give them a tour of the house?” Dad asked.
“Sure, follow me.” I started up the 25 stairs.
copyright © 2001 AngelH