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Bridget swaggered through the kitchen door because why not? This was quite literally her own house. I on the other hand, was practically naked. So I couldn’t help gingerly poking my head through the door to see three plates of omelets set on the table. It seemed absurd to be so shy at this point but I couldn’t help it! Despite the fact that Dr. Bernard has seen me in all my glory I still strive to put on a dignified appearance before her. I want her to think highly of me as I do of her. Of course given my current circumstances that was nigh impossible. I sighed and walked through the door. Both women smiled at me as I sat down, to which I returned with a nervous smile of my own.
For once, could I have a meal with these two while wearing pants?!
“Tell me more about yourself Avery.” Dr. Bernard asked out of the blue.
“Oh, I…well…” I didn’t know how to start. There I was sitting there in my absurd undergarments in front of two attractive fully clothed women while we ate our breakfast like it was the most normal thing in the world. “My life is mostly work, apart from that I have a close group of friends who manage to rope me into their shenanigans. You already know about Santiago, he is a trustworthy fellow. Rorke, less so…but he has some kind of childlike wonder that charms me (never tell him I said that). And last but not least is Jacobee, but we just call him Jack, he would give you his right arm to help out a stranger, he would do even more for the people he cares about.”
“What about your family?”
I rolled my eyes, “What about them?” Dr. Bernard gave me concerned look. I blanched, hoping I didn’t come off as rude. “What I mean is…my parents and I aren’t exactly close. My father wanted me to take over the family business and when I said ‘no’ we had a falling out.”
“Any plans to reconcile?”
I shook my head, “Our problems began long before that. Apparently, being a college professor was not satisfactory. They either wanted me doing what they wanted or making a lot of money. My mother was a ‘pageant mom’, she wanted me to make a living off my looks.”
Dr. Bernard notably shuddered, “Not that she would have been wrong about you becoming a model but I have seen quite a few ‘pageant moms’ in my time as a doctor and you weren’t wrong to leave. I have had women come to the E.R. because they couldn’t stop themselves from pulling each other’s scalps out after a competition.”
I was a little happy at this response. Usually I get an answer like, ‘but you’re still family you should try harder to get along’ or something to that effect. Instead, Dr. Bernard seemed to respect my decision and continued with the flow of conversation, “What about your father’s business? Did it not appeal to you becoming an owner?”
I rolled my eyes, “We call it the ‘business’ but its really just a small bait and tackle shop in the sticks.”
Dr. Bernard actually laughed, “Well, one way or another I am happy you turned it down. Small businesses are charming but I appreciate that we get to have you here for ourselves Avery.”
Bridget leaned her head on my bare shoulder and a pleasant feeling of warmth filled me up. It would seem that she told me the truth, her mother did like me in her own way. I decided to press the advantage and started speaking about more casual things. Dr. Bernard responded in kind and we had a very pleasant chat until we finished our breakfast. I would like to think her opinion of me had risen as I rose from the table wanting to pump my fist in victory. I had overcome one of my biggest obstacles in dating Bridget. Then my girlfriend spoke up…
“Oh yes, Mom, when is Daddy coming home?”
I paused mid-walk towards the kitchen door. In my attempts to win over Bridget’s mother I had completely forgotten about her father! I hadn’t directly met the man before but he certainly met me. I just recalled Dr. Bernard telling me how she and her husband helped carry me into their home after I was knocked unconscious with a volleyball. And I was naked the whole time! Not to mention I used his bedroom, borrowed his clothes, and of course, I am dating his magnificent daughter with sexual intentions. I almost felt sick. I haven’t even properly introduced myself to him and yet I am painfully aware that I owe him a great deal.
“Your father had to take care of something at work my dear. But don’t worry, I promise he will be here next time you bring your beau over so they can properly introduce each other. He is very eager to meet Avery.”
I shuddered at the thought. What could I possibly say to the man? I was still in the process of gaining favor with Bridget’s mother. I can’t even imagine how difficult things will be with her father. I know how protective fathers can be with their daughters. I have had so many of them complain to me after flunking their daughters in my class to be aware.
“Um…your husband…how much does he know about my situation with Bridget?” I asked carefully.
“He knows she is dating someone special and I plan on telling him the full details when he gets home tonight. He is going to have a laugh once he hears about your impromptu class you had in our living room.” Oh lord, I hope she spares him some of the more gorier details about that incident. Otherwise, that is just one more thing to be humiliated about. I needed to know how much Bridget’s father knew about me specifically but before I could even ask, Dr. Bernard answered as if reading my mind, “If you are worried about the age difference, don’t be. You can’t tell by looking but Jakob and I are actually 12 years apart,” she pointed back and forth between me and Bridget “this is nothing.” That was an unexpected relief. I wondered if it would make a difference to him if he knew Bridget tended to get the better of me despite my being much older. I was going to ask another question but Dr. Bernard beat me to the punch once again, “He may or may not have some reservations about you being her teacher but I’m not concerned. My Jakob happens to love educators. He has been known to run charity events for all kinds of schooling. Plus, that man happily does whatever I please, and if my opinion isn’t enough,” she smiled as she eyed me up and down, hinting she had something in mind “I am sure that you can find a way to persuade him as you did me.”
I felt a chill down my spine wondering what I will have to do to win him over. I was also reminded that I was standing in front of Dr. Bernard in nothing but this ridiculous pair of underwear Ingrid designed so I thought now would be a good time to leave. “Bridget, darling, we have to go.” I grabbed Bridget by the hand a turned away before her mother could see me blush.
She waved us off as we headed towards the car.