When Mama Met Papa

My alarm went off at 8 a.m. the next morning as planned. Unlike so many of my neighbors I wasn't getting up for church. I was more spiritual than religious. I was getting up to do what I normally did on Sunday mornings, work a half-day and then go to my folks place for a family afternoon.

After a shower and breakfast, with coffee of course, I padded into my office at 9 a.m. and opened my laptop to work. I was ¾ done with the outline for the next book, which meant I was ¾ done with my half-vacation. Why did I call it that when I didn't go on vacation? Simple I only worked half days from when I turned my copy edits in until I got the outline done. Then I buckled down and worked on whatever schedule the book demanded.

I got up a couple times to refill my mug or use the bathroom, but other than that I was in my comfortable desk chair working on the outline. I had put down the blue tooth keyboard I had and was reading over what I had just finished adding when I heard the phone rang. Automatically I saved the document and picked up the extension. "Hello?"

"Hi Steph, it's Tim returning your call." The tension I had been feeling drained out of me. "I would have called earlier but we were in church. I was really happy to get your message last night. You'll have to explain what a half-vacation is when we get together again."

I laughed, most people didn't understand until I explained it so I wasn't surprised Tim said that. "I'll gladly do that. As for when we should meet again, pick a day. I can adjust my schedule probably far easier than you can." I leaned back in my chair, enjoying the semi-stretch I was doing.

I heard him flipping pages in what I thought might be a calendar. "Um… I've got some things to do on Monday that will take possibly all day. How does Tuesday sound to you?"

I brought up my schedule and looked at Tuesday. "I'm free as a bird. Name the time and I'm all yours." My voice, without me even thinking about it, went kind of husky. I could have corrected the possible interpretation, but I didn't want to.

"Sounds perfect. I'll pick you up at 7." I heard him writing something, which confirmed my idea of a calendar.

I smiled into the phone. "Sounds perfect. What should I wear, or is this a total surprise?" I was hoping for some kind of clue, but I might not get it.

"Just dress nicely but wear comfortable shoes. I'll take care of everything else. Here's my email address so you can send me an address and directions." He spoke surely and clearly, I added him to my address book. I then brought up Google Maps and asked the one question I needed. "So where are you so I can give you accurate directions?" He gave me his address and I typed it in and mine in the second place. Google Maps found both and the quickest route between them. I saved the link and sent it to him right then and there. "There, turn by turn directions by Google Maps from me to you." I laughed a little as I said it.

I then heard him tapping on his computer. "And here it is. Wow, you're right these are detailed directions." I heard a few more clicks and then a chuckle. "You know I never would have expected a world famous author to live in a house like that. I think you might have a nicer house than we do."

I chuckled. "After my books took off I indulged myself with the house I truly wanted. You'll see better when you come over Tuesday. I'll give you the grand tour." I chuckled. "Although you should know I like color and the psychology behind them. I try and tailor each room to what will be going on in it." That led to a conversation on color and it's uses, then I noticed the time. "Crap, Tim I'm _loving_ this conversation but I need to get over to my folks' place for the Sunday afternoon tradition."

He chuckled into the phone. "I _guess_ I can let you go. Monday is going to crawl by you realize. I haven't had such a fun and interesting conversation with a woman in quite a while. I can't wait for Tuesday now." I couldn't help but blush. He was right we had been having a fun and interesting conversation.

"Well hopefully Tuesday won't drag as badly for either of us." It was 1 p.m., I had about a half hour before I had to be at my folks' place. Boy was I glad they weren't far and I didn't have to make anything this week.

"Oh I'm sure parts of it will. Until then though milady, adieu." I couldn't help but giggle as he hung up. I had a date. I had a date with Tim. I couldn't quite contain my giggles. It had been a long time since I had a date. I ran upstairs and changed clothes to something "appropriate" for the family afternoon.

I got to my folks place at 1:30 p.m. on the dot. Getting out of the car I was bombarded with my nieces and nephews who had been waiting. "Auntie Steph!" They yelled en masse as they came to surround me. They tried talking over each other, telling me how their week had been in the last few weeks of school. I just laughed as I knew they would all take turns later but it was most important to get time with me as I first got here.

I was able to drop them in the backyard and go into the house by myself. Mom came over with a smile. "How comes the outline dearest?" She asked as we hugged. My brother and sister were behind her listening.

"I should finish it up tomorrow. The last few chapters are always tricky to nail down. Then it's let Mike now and start writing for real. I don't have a title yet but that's ok. I'm sure something will hit me as I write." That was typical, as was having the title change several times before it was perfect.

The rest of the afternoon was pretty typical for our family. The kids ran around in the back yard with one of the adults watching or joining in. The food was great as usual and the conversation was stimulating. As Deb and I washed the dishes, I broke my news. "I have a date Tuesday." I whispered to her, hoping to avoid my mom's bat-like ears.

She turned her head and looked at me. "You're kidding? With who?" She was equally quiet for the same reason. We began clinking the dishware louder to cover our conversation.

"You know T3Ks right?" She should her eldest, Ryan, was on the same team as K1. She nodded and I grinned. "I helped them and their dad into the rink yesterday. After the kids were in the locker room he came over and we struck up a conversation. It ended too quickly due to the class I was subbing with was ready. I hoped they would stay but they didn't, he did leave a note with his numbers and asked me out. We're going out Tuesday."

Deb was agog. "So the rumors are true then. I wondered why he was around more and Melissa wasn't. Honestly it's probably the best thing for those kids." We worked as we talked; it was the only way everything got done.

"I haven't ever met her, that might be a good thing from what the rumors say. He's really nice; we talked for over an hour this afternoon. That bodes well right?" I wasn't sure but I was hopeful.

Deb chuckled. "You talked for over an hour and you aren't sure it bodes well? Sis you need to get out more. Yeah you should be fine. Have you told him who you are?" She splashed me with some soapy water.

I giggled. "Yeah, he knows. He said he knows some guys that would love to meet me. I guess I'm one of _the_ underground authors in the League." That made both of us go off on a full giggle fit.

Hours later I returned home. I loved my family but I was always tired when I got home from a family event. Next week was my turn to host, which meant I was responsible for the main dish. I figured I could worry about what to make tomorrow, I was ready for some Netflix and bed. I changed into my PJs and came back downstairs to make sure I would have life tomorrow before turning on my Blu-Ray player.