What have I gotten myself into now? Brenda wondered. Two years ago I was just a surfer dude without a care in the world. Look at me now: standing at the sink in high heeled boots, in an apron, cutting lettuce and trying to make my boyfriend’s mother like me. Where did I go wrong?
 

Runway
By
Arecee

 

---

Chapter 15 - Sunday Dinner
 
 
Chapter 15

Annie was reading the Sunday edition of the Times when Brenda knocked on her door.

“Good morning Brenda! Come on in.” she said as Brenda opened the door.

“Hi Annie, I have something to ask you.”

“Let me get you a cup of coffee first,”

Annie returned with a steaming mug and handed it to Brenda.

“What's on your mind dear?”

“Mario asked me to have a Sunday dinner with his family this evening and I haven't a clue as to what to wear to it.”

“Well, you can wear pretty much anything you want, as long as it’s tasteful.”

“He said his mother always wears a dress.”

“Mothers in Italian homes do that. Its just tradition.”

“I don’t feel like heels and a dress...darn! I can’t decide.”

“Well, let me think about it some. Oh. How was your date? Your young man certainly is handsome.”

“We had dinner and then we saw Yo Yo Ma and Bobby Mcferrin at Carnegie hall. It was wonderful! I never heard anything like that in all my life. I thought it was going to be something along the lines of being hip hop, but it wasn't! It was just so exciting and beautiful! I guess maybe I’m really growing up.” Brenda replied as she fingered the newspaper.

“It’s hard not to like music when it’s played or sung by true artists. I’m thinking maybe you could wear your jeans and a nice sweater with those brown boots you have. You would look very nice in that.”

“Hmmm. You know? Maybe I will! It’s not too dressy either. What are you going to do today?”

“Just lay around like a bum and read my paper. After all, it’s Sunday.”

Brenda shuffled the paper around and found the fashion section. Checking to see if there were any sales she might like, Brenda went through several ad spreads and was marked with disappointment at not finding anything. She folded the ad spreads together and glanced at the back page. There, before her, was a full page advertisement for the Margaret Voss collection with a full page photo of Tiffany in one of Margaret’s fashions! She was sitting on the floor and viewed from the side, wearing a matching skirt and jacket. Her legs could be seen to mid thigh and the four-inch heels of her pumps were resting on the floor with her toes pointed straight up and her knees were bent. She looked as though she was laughing. The picture was a particularly good pose! Tiffany appeared strikingly beautiful and seemed to have fun doing that shot. The caption underneath it read ‘Style with Fun’.

“Annie! This is my friend Tiffany here! She's the model that works with me.”

“Let me see,” she said excitedly, as Brenda passed her the page. “My goodness! She is beautiful!”

“I can’t wait to call her! Annie, I have to run! Thanks for the coffee! I’ll be back later.”

Brenda ran over to her apartment and grabbed the phone to call Tiffany.

“Hello,” Tiffany answered.

“Tiffany, its Brenda. Have you seen the paper yet?”

“Nope. I just got up. I had a date last night...if you can believe that!”

“Go find the New York Times. You’re on the back page of the fashion section.”

“Really?”

“Yes really! It’s a full page ad! God. I’m so excited for you!”

“I’ll have to go to the corner grocery to get one. I’ll call you right back.”

Tiffany ran to the grocery to buy a paper. She had to see what Brenda was talking about.The grocer had gotten to recognize Tiffany as being a regular customer, but he didn’t know what she did for work. At least he didn't have a clue, until he opened the paper that morning and saw her picture.

Tiffany laid the paper on the counter to purchase it.

“I saw your picture in the paper this morning Miss, I didn’t know you were a model.”

“Yes, I just started.”

“I have to say, you are very beautiful in that picture.”

Tiffany blushed and said, “Thank you.”

“Would you be willing to autograph your picture for me?” the grocer shyly asked. "Please?"

“I'd be happy to,” she answered, clearly flustered.

Someone wants my autograph! I don’t believe it! she thought as she took the pen and paper from the clerk and wondered what she was supposed to write.

“What’s your name?” she asked.

“Sammy.”

Tiffany wrote in her most feminine script, ‘To Sammy, a good friend. Tiffany,’ and handed it back to him.

She opened her purse and removed a bill to pay for her paper.

“No,” Sammy said, “I don’t charge my good friends.” He pushed her hand and money back to her.

Tiffany was becoming embarassed. She simply didn’t know how to handle this kind of notoriety. She took the safest course and smiled saying, “Thank you very much,” and left the store.

She couldn’t wait to get home and open the paper to look at her picture much closer. She found the fashion section and turned the section around and saw the picture and gasped. Oh my God, I look hot, shit, I didn’t think this would happen, I would just model, catch the bad guys and be done, but this, what am I going to do?

A mother and her daughter were walking toward Tiffany when the girl stopped.

“Mommy look, it’s the girl in the paper,” she said excitedly.

“I think you’re right, excuse me miss, aren’t you the Margaret Voss model?” the woman asked.

Tiffany felt as though she was standing in the middle of Time’s Square with no clothes on, it was just a picture of her, shit, did everyone see it? Tiffany didn’t like this kind of attention but she couldn’t be rude either.

“Yes.”

“My daughter saw your picture this morning and she said you’re the prettiest model she had ever seen and I think I have to agree with her. Would you sign an autograph?”

“Of course I will, what’s your daughter’s name?”

“Gail.”

Tiffany signed the paper for Gail and handed it to her mother.

“Thank you,” she smiled. “Gail will certainly treasure this!” She walked away with Tiffany’s paper.

The attention was rattling Tiffany’s brain. She had signed two autographs and had only been out of her apartment for five minutes. Worse though, was that she just gave away her own paper. ‘Dumb Blonde!’ she giggled to herself.

Tiffany returned to her apartment. She would buy a paper later to replace her gift to Gail. There were no more incidents other than two girls across the street squealing and hitting each other when they saw Tiffany.

Tiffany called Brenda back when she entered her apartment.

“Hello?”

“Brenda, it’s Tiffany. I saw the picture. Oh my God!! I look hot!!! What am I going to do?”

“Do? You don’t do anything. This is perfect! Melissa is going to freak when she sees that picture. She’s going to keep you close to her, and the closer the better. This way you might find out what she really is doing behind those closed doors.”

“I know Brenda. But what about that picture? I look like a pretty girl.”

“You’re supposed to look that way, remember? You’re a model.”

‘I thought I would look like a model. But not like that Brenda! I’m scared. Men are going to be all over me.”

Brenda started giggling. She wouldn’t mind that kind of attention, but she knew how Tiffany felt about this whole undercover thing. And then to be a model that was going to turn heads, was going to freak her out.

“Tiffany, men aren’t going to be able to get near you unless you want them there. That’s why they have big security guys.”

“I don’t like this Brenda! I couldn’t even get a paper without being recognized.”

“That’s the price of fame girlfriend!”

“Please don’t call me that! You know I don’t like being a girl.”

“I’m sorry. I just can't help but think of you as one. Ok. Tell me about your date?”

“I did mention that didn’t I? Now I wish I hadn’t.”

“Shit Tiffany! Don’t be such a stick in the mud. You’re a girl now! So enjoy it. You can bitch an moan about it later when this is all over.”

“I’m sorry, this fame thing has me in a really weird mood. Remember that guy at the show we did at the gallery?”

“Which guy, there were lots of guys.”

“The one that stayed with me the whole time.”

“That tall handsome one?”

“Yes, that’s him. Well, he called me Friday and asked if I would go with him to some business dinner and dance. I thought 'What the heck?' All I ever do is sit at home and watch TV. So I said yes.”

“Ooh, was it nice?”

“At first I thought I would have a terrible time. I dressed in a floor length gown and with heels I was tall, at least six-three. I figured the guy would be turned off. I forgot he was taller than me. I even had to look up to see his eyes. I was kind of in a bad mood when he arrived, since I felt it was wrong going out with a guy. You know? Robert shows up and hands me two dozen red roses and tells me how beautiful I am. Then I felt like such a jerk.”

“I put the flowers in a vase and he takes me down to a limo, opens the door for me and helps me in. He goes around the car and gets in. The first thing he does is put his arm around me. Well, I put him straight and moved it off my shoulders. After that, he was a perfect gentleman. We went to a dinner in a ballroom and I figured I was eye candy for him. So, I took his arm and smiled a lot, keeping my mouth shut. After dinner, we danced until it ended.”

“Robert then took me for a drink and we just talked. He told me all about how he had inherited his money and nobody thought much of him. So he went to prove them wrong, and has made a second fortune. I felt sad for him though, because he really seems to be a lonely person, even though he is around people all day. I think they just use him to better themselves. As we talked, I just felt so bad for him. He wasn’t sad, but there was an emptiness you could detec. I don’t know how to describe it. It was weird!”

“It must be a girl thing or something, but I just wanted to hold him and make him feel better. Does that sound strange?” Tiffany asked.

“No, it doesn’t sound strange. I feel like that a lot nowadays. But I’m a lot more girl than you are though. What else happened after that?” Brenda asked.

“We talked for hours, and it was so late by the time I got home. But I didn’t mind. I felt different being with Robert by then than I did earlier in the evening. When he got me back in the limo he put his arm around me again and I wasn’t repulsed this time. In fact, it felt good to have his hand there. I snuggled against him and it made me feel protected. I felt like a woman! Was I wrong feeling that way?” Tiffany asked, as her insecurity showed.

“Tiffany, you are a woman! You should feel that way about a man.”

“Brenda, I’m not a woman! You’re a woman! But I’m not. I'm wearing a disguise. I might look like one, but I know who I am inside.”

“Tiffany, let Dirk go. You’ll find him later, because if you don’t, you’ll make yourself crazy. Be a woman completely for now, it’s so much easier! When I let Matt go, I felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I felt free.”

“But that’s you! I’m not like that! I can’t just let go of my past, and that’s what scared me last night! I did let go for a short time and I had fun being Tiffany. Now I feel guilty as hell about it.”

“Why would you feel guilty? All you did was go out with the guy?”

“He kissed me!!”

“He kissed you?”

“Yes! When we reached my apartment and when we were still in the car...he kissed me.”

“What did you do? You didn’t slap him did you?”

Tiffany grew silent for a moment before she answered.

“No,” she said softly, “I kissed him back.”

“You did?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because Tiffany wanted to! She liked Robert a lot. When he touched her lips, it was like a fire erupted inside of her and she pulled him in tight.”

“You pulled him tight?”

“No, Tiffany did.”

“Wait a second. You’re Tiffany!”

Brenda could hear her friend begin to cry. Tiffany needed to be with someone.

“I can’t do this... anymore, “ she whimpered.

“I’ll be right over! Stay put!” Brenda ordered as she put down the phone.

Brenda removed her flip flops and put on her white running shoes. She ran down to find a cab. All she was wearing was a tank top and a pair of cut off jeans. Desperate, she mentally chastised herself about her looks and would have to put her makeup on in the cab. She found a cab and gave him Tiffany’s address. She was there fifteen minutes later.

Tiffany let her friend into her apartment and they went into the kitchen. Tiffany’s eyes were red from crying and Brenda took her in her arms and just held her to herself for some time.

“Brenda. I'm sick. I can’t do this anymore. I just can’t.”

“You’re strong Tiffany! Why not?”

“Because I’m becoming more like Tiffany everyday!! I don't want to!! And I don’t like it.”

“Why don’t you like it?”

“Because I’m a man! That’s why! Last night when I kissed Robert, I became Tiffany heart and soul. I actually wanted him like a woman wants a man. Brenda, when we kissed, I felt so feminine and girlish, so special and wonderful, that I didn’t want to leave Robert's grasp. He walked me to my door and kissed me one more time. When I had come inside and shut the door, I felt so alone, I hurt inside and ached to be back in his arms! I missed him!! And he had only been gone for ten seconds.”

“That’s your feminine side coming out. That’s good!”

“Its not good! I hate it! Let's agree to disagree on that point.”

“Tiffany, you’re being stupid! You’re supposed to be a girl for this mission! You've been told that, you volunteered for this, and I have reminded you constantly. So own up to it! Besides, that’s how girls feel when they’re away from someone they care for.”

“But I’m not a girl,” she whined.

Brenda rolled her eyes and thought for a second.

“Ok, let me ask you this then. What did you see when you looked at the paper this morning?”

“Me.”

“I know it was you. But what did you see?”

“A girl.”

“That’s right! A girl! Not Dirk, and certainly not a man.”

“But this is so wrong! I shouldn’t like it when Robert kisses me.”

“Tiffany, you’re a beautiful and, from what I can see, all woman. You should like it when you’re kissed. Take advantage of it. Enjoy it. Let Dirk go... and slip into the role for a bit.”

“I can’t let him go. That’s who I am!”

“Then put him away for now! Put him in a box and hide him in your mind. When this is all over, open the box and let him be free again.”

“What if I don’t want to be Dirk later? Huh? What then?”

“If you can't come back...well... then be Tiffany. There are a lot of worse things that could happen you know.”

“But what will people think?”

“What do they think now?”

“That I’m Tiffany.”

“Then be Tiffany, and I mean one hundred percent Tiffany! Be the successful woman you are!”

“Ok. If I have to, I guess...I’ll try,” she sniffled.

“Tiffany, I have to go now. Mario is picking me up in a couple of hours for a Sunday dinner with his family. And I need the time so that I can get ready.”

“Mario? You have another date with Mario?”

“I went out with him last night. Why?”

Tiffany's face drawled in a look of shock and confusion.

“Never mind. Oh God! Nevermind... it’s nothing. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Tiffany said. She still had a look of concern on her face.

Brenda found a cab and went home to get dressed for her Sunday dinner.

She found the outfit that she wanted to wear. It was classy and had a certain amount of sex appeal. It was a gaucho pant outfit with a vest to go over a blouse. She would wear it with her brown boots.

Brenda hadn’t showered yet, because of her rush trip to Tiffany’s. So she had to hurry. Mario would be here in an hour.

Brenda was just slipping her boots on when the bell rang. She buzzed Mario in and heard him dash up the stairs. He sounded like a herd of buffalo because he had skipped every other step. Brenda was giggling when she opened the door.

“Hi!” she said, “I’ll be just be a minute. I have to put in my earrings.”

“Wow! You look fabulous! What’s so funny?” he asked.

“Thanks! You sounded like a herd of buffalo coming up the stairs,” she giggled. “Did you see Tiffany’s picture in the paper?”

“No. Who’s Tiffany?”

“One of the girls that works for my agency. You’d know her if you saw her.”

“I only see you when I’m there.”

“You know your nose is going to grow. You've been seeing the other girls.”

“Maybe. But you’re the prettiest one by far.”

“Stop it! Now I know you’re lying!"

Brenda went into her bedroom and a few minutes later came back with her earrings showing off through her hair.

"Ok. I’m ready, lets go.”

Brenda locked her door and went down the stairs, holding onto Mario’s arm for support. They climbed into the taxi and it was off to Mario’s mother’s home.

“Can we stop and buy a copy of the Times on the way?”

“My mom will have one at her house, You can have that one.”

The taxi arrived at the address given and Mario sent the cab on its way.

“Home sweet home!” he cheered.

Mario’s mother’s home was in an attached brownstone building with several flats, theirs being the one on the top floor.

Mario opened the front door and the aroma from the food being cooked made Brenda’s mouth water.

“Mario! That smells so good. What is it?”

“I’m not sure. I think mom made Osso Buco today.”

“What’s that?”

“Veal shank, cooked for a long time in the oven. I love it when she makes it. She only does it for special occasions.”

“Is today special?”

“Yes. Because I’m bringing you here.”

“Would you stop that! You are making me blush!” Brenda giggled as she play slapped Mario’s arm.

Brenda could hear many voices further ahead inside, some from women, some from men, but mostly from children. It was a happy sound.

I hope they'll like me! Am I dressed properly? she thought.

“Does my makeup look okay?” she asked, her nervousness was showing.

“You’re stunning! Don’t worry... my mom doesn’t bite!”

Brenda and Mario reached the top of the stairs and Brenda heard a scream,” Uncle Mario!” and the sound of running feet. A little girl, maybe five years old launched herself in Mario’s direction and was caught before she fell to the floor.

“Tina! How’s my favorite girl?”

“I’m fine Uncle Mario,” she warmly smiled as she hugged Mario around his neck.

Mario put Tina down and she ran off to rejoin the other children.

“That was Tina, one of Sal’s kids. She’s a real sweetheart. Come on, lets find mom.” he said as he took Brenda by the hand and led her to the kitchen.

The stairway entered the flat past the living room, but in a hallway with what Brenda assumed were bedroom doors, and at the end was the kitchen and dining area. The kitchen was large and had been remodeled years before. The center island was where the preparation work was done, and the massive range had two large ovens. There were five women in the kitchen, each with a chore to do. They were laughing and talking. When Mario made his entrance the conversation stopped.

“Mom, ladies, this is Brenda Watson. Brenda this is my mom, Marie Puccinelli and this is Louisa, Sal’s wife, Nola, Judy and Irma.”

Marie went to Brenda and took her by the hands and pulled her into the kitchen.

“Come in, come in! You’re much prettier than Mario said you were. Mario, take a beer to your father in the living room and watch the game. Leave Brenda here with us ladies,” Marie said.

Mario knew better than to argue with his mother and knew Brenda would be in good hands. He did want to see the rest of the football game. The Giants were playing against the Eagles and it would be a good test for his team.

Brenda felt fearful. She was alone, in a room with five women, whom she didn’t know, and didn’t know what was expected of her. Her training hadn’t covered this!

“Brenda, don’t be shy. Here’s an apron, you don’t want to ruin your outfit. You don’t mind helping Louisa do you?” Marie asked.

“No, I don’t mind. Except my mom never taught me how to cook. I’m a quick learner though, if you’ll show me what to do,” Brenda answered with a nervous giggle.

“I’m making the salad, it’s easy. Here let me show you what to do and don’t mind Marie. All of us girls went through the same thing and we're still here,” Louisa laughed.

Louisa had a nice laugh and it put Brenda more at ease. But now, it was time for the inquisition to start.

“Mario says that you work with him?” Marie asked.

“Just in the same building he delivers to alot. I work for Universal Modeling.”

“Are you a model?”

“Heavens no! I’m too fat. I’m the receptionist.”

“A skinny thing like you too fat? Just wait until you have babies... that’s when you get fat! I still haven’t lost the weight I gained when I had Mario,” Marie said.

“You look good,” said Brenda.

Marie looked like a woman that knew how to cook. She was pleasantly plump, but not grossly over weight. She looked like a classic Italian mother.

“My sister always complains about her weight. I wish she would give some of it to me,” said Irma.

Irma was Marie’s sister and Sal’s mother. She was pretty for a fifty-five year old woman and rail thin, she almost looked anorexic.

“What about me mom? I work out all the time and still have this little tummy,” responded Louisa, to her mother-in-law.

“How did you meet Mario?”

“He came into my office and we just hit it off. He was fun to talk to also.”

“He’s a flirt. I know my cousin,” said Nola.

Nola looked like she was around twenty-five years old and very pretty. Her hair was long, almost to her waist. Her eyes shined like brown glass. She had a pleasant smile and a petite figure. Brenda would like to have a girl like this as a friend.

“You’re right Nola. I know my brother better than anyone. You’d better save yourself before it’s too late,” laughed Judy.

Judy was Mario’s sister and the aunt of the little girl that had greeted Mario earlier. She had a radiant smile and sparkling eyes. Her hair was short, making it easy to tend to while raising her three children. She once had hair like Nola’s, but after the birth of her second child, she had it cut. It was just too much work to care for.

“Here’s a knife. You can cut the lettuce,” said Louisa.

Brenda took the knife and began working on the lettuce. What have I gotten myself into now? she wondered. Two years ago I was just a surfer dude without a care in the world. Look at me now: standing at the sink in high heeled boots, in an apron, cutting lettuce and trying to make my boyfriend’s mother like me. Where did I go wrong?

“Mario really likes you... a lot,” Louisa softly spoke as she washed the salad greens.

“How would you know that? This is just our third date.”

“Because you’re the first girl he’s ever brought home to meet his parents.”

“We hardly know one another.”

“Mario’s a very good judge of character. He sees things in people that most other people would miss. Bringing you here says a lot about what he thinks of you.”

“I-I...I don’t know what to say?”

“You don’t have to say anything. Have a fun time! Come on lets meet the rest of the family. The salad can wait.”

Louisa took Brenda by the hand and led her to the living room where the men were watching the game on television. Brenda could hear groans as they reached the room.

“I can’t believe it! McNabb is killing us,” Brenda heard a voice say.

“Mario? Would you introduce Brenda to everyone please?” Louisa said.

Mario rose from his chair and went to Brenda and took her hand.

“Dad, guys, this is Brenda. Brenda, this is my dad Bruno, you know Sal, and these animals are Tony, Martin and Lorenzo.”

“Hi Brenda,” they said in unison.

“So, you’re the little girl that stole my boy’s heart,” Bruno said, with a twinkle in his eye.

“Dad! Come on! You’re going to embarrass Brenda!”

“Ah, she knows I’m just teasing. Welcome to my home, Brenda.”

“Thank you Mr. Puccinelli.” Brenda demurely responded and she lowered her eyes.

“Call me Bruno! Mr. Puccinelli was my father. Come sit next to me and watch the game. You’re too pretty to be working out there with all those chattering hens.”

Brenda smiled, knowing the situation that would develop, and that was something she wanted to avoid.

“Thank you anyways. But I really should be helping in the kitchen.”

“Now you know where Mario gets his flirting from... his dad,” Louisa laughed.

Brenda noticed that there was a lot of laughing and interaction between the family members. Something that never really took place back home when she had been Matt.

Brenda and Louisa returned to the kitchen to help with the dinner. There were more questions and learning where Brenda was going to fit in the family order. Would she fit in? or Would she be one that was kept to the side?

Mario’s brother’s wife was kept to the side. His brother’s name was Guido and he was married to Kimberly. They had been married for four years and hadn’t had children yet. Kimberly was a business woman and didn’t have time for pregnancy or the inconvenience of children. She was a driven woman and didn’t want anything to do with the family traditions of the Italian family she had married into. She hadn’t lifted a finger to help from day one, which soured the feelings Marie had for the girl. Kimberly was a spoiled child and it showed when she was around.

Brenda was cutting the green onions and nicked her finger with the blade of the knife. No one had taught her how to cut with a knife and she had held her fingers straight out as she cut.

“Ouch! I cut myself,” she exclaimed.

“Quick, here, put a towel around it until the bleeding stops,” said Louisa.

“Here’s a band aid. Let me see Brenda,” said Marie

Marie took Brenda’s hand and held her finger out to the side. The bleeding had slowed, and it was really just a scratch, but Marie showed concern anyway. Mario had brought his girlfriend to dinner and cut herself. Marie couldn't help but feel responsible.

“It’ll be alright Marie. It’s just a small cut.”

Marie put the band aid on Brenda’s finger.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked.

Marie was using Kimberly as a reference and wasn’t sure what kind of girl Brenda was. Kimberly had scraped her hand against the door jamb once and didn’t even break the skin and you would have thought she had been shot. She screamed and cried and had a hissy fit like she was dying.

Marie was starting to like Brenda and was seeing what her son saw in this girl. She wasn’t afraid to pitch in and she wasn’t a baby. From what she could see, Brenda was a strong woman.

“I’ll be fine,” Brenda said as she returned to making salad.

“Before you cut yourself again, let me show you how to cut with a knife,” Louisa said. “Take the knife like this, and then hold what ever your cutting like this. See my knuckles are ahead of my finger tips and the edge of the knife rubs against them? Kind of like a guide. That way, you don’t get cut.”

Brenda did as instructed and found that after a little practice, she was cutting with the best of them.

The conversation turned away from Brenda and onto more family oriented topics like kids and the family. Brenda just listened and learned what it was to be a woman in a family like this. Brenda liked what was happening to her. She was being included into the family structure. The family liked this new girl that Mario had found. She was a keeper as far, as they were concerned.

“Bruno, is the game over yet?” Marie yelled down the hall with a small amount of irritation in her voice.

“Keep your skirt on! The game will be over in a couple of minutes,” came the reply.

“Men,” she said with exasperation in her voice.

Suddenly a cheer came from the living room and you could hear the excitement! The Giants must have done something good. Brenda smiled to herself. She had a warm fuzzy feeling from all of what was happening, and her boyfriend’s team had just done something right. It was a good day.

The game ended and dinner was served. The adults sat in the formal dining room and the children sat in the kitchen. Grace was prayed by Bruno and then everyone ate. The conversation was light and fun, with most of the verbal jabs aimed at Mario for finally finding a girlfriend.

Dinner was soon finished and Brenda was the first to help clear the table and wash the dishes. She was making major points with Marie, and it wasn’t something being lost on Mario. He loved Brenda, a whole lot!

It was time for Brenda to leave and she went to each person and bade them goodnight. Marie was the last one.

“Goodnight Marie. I had a wonderful time. Thank you so much,” she said as she embraced Marie.

“Thank you, Brenda. You’re a wonderful girl! Come again next Sunday,” Marie said.

“Mom, maybe Brenda has something else to do?” Mario said.

“I, I’ll try,” Brenda responded. She wanted nothing more than to come here again and be part of this wonderful family.A girl named Brenda was finding a life and it could possibly be one that she might not want to leave.

Mario had called for a cab and the couple were soon on their way to Brenda’s apartment.

“Mario, thank you so much for taking me to meet your family tonight. I loved them all.”

“Did you really have a nice time?”

“It was incredible. Your mom especvially. She is so sweet.”

Brenda moved closer to Mario, she wanted to be held.

“Please hold me,” she said.

Mario put his arm around her shoulders and held her tight. Brenda had found a family and she was being held by the man that she, not fully yet Brenda, liked an awful lot. Life couldn’t be much better than this!

The taxi arrived, and Mario walked Brenda to her apartment. They gave each other the goodnight kiss they knew would happen. That kiss was filled with a lot of tender love: the love a man and woman have for each other that says... forever.

“Good night Mario! Thank you for sharing your family with me.”

“They’re your family too.”

Brenda smiled with watery eyes.

“Good night,” she softly replied as she kissed him once more before closing her door.

Brenda removed her clothes and makeup and found her flannel pajamas to wear. She got into bed and turned off her light. She was staring up at the ceiling in the dark. What just happened to me? she wondered. She had gone to dinner with a man she liked, and met his family. She had been accepted as the woman she portrayed. She had become as one with the other women. And now she was falling in love with Mario. There... she said it. Love. The word and feelings she wanted to avoid. Yes. She was in love with this man. He made her feel all warm and squishy inside when he touched her. She had become a woman, found her man - her man! Hers. That sounded so good... hers!

Brenda felt tears fill her eyes. What am I going to do after this is over? How can I ever go back to my old life? I won’t be able too? And Mario expects to have a woman to be able to marry, one that will bear his children. God! What have I done?

She dissolved into tears.
 
 

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Edited and beaten into appropriate submission by Sephrena Lynn Miller