by Kathryn Day

Created on: December 15, 2009

The crisp snow blew past their faces, as Penny reached out and rang the doorbell.  She took a deep breath.  She was both excited and anxious to introduce Connor to her parents.  She looked up at Connor.  He smiled back at her, but she could see that he looked nervous too.  As she squeezed his hand, the door opened.

“Hi, mom.”  Penny reached out to hug her mother. 

“And this must be Connor.  He is even more handsome than you described.”  Penny’s mother reached up and pinched Connor’s cheek.  Penny blushed, feeling slightly embarrassed for both her mother and for Connor.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Jacobs,” Connor said as he bent down to half his normal height to hug her. 

“Late, as usual,” came a booming voice that belonged to Penny’s father. 

“It’s my fault, dad.”  Penny reached up to hug her father.

“Penny, it is unkind to be late when you are introducing your boyfriend to your parents for the first time.  First impressions, and all that.”  Penny’s father reached out a hand toward Connor.  “I’m Carl Jacobs and it is a pleasure to meet you.”

“You, too, sir.  Merry Christmas.”  Penny thought she heard an unusual quiver in Connor’s voice.  He must really be nervous, she thought.  She wasn’t used to seeing Connor shaken, but he recovered quickly as her mother called them all to the table for Christmas dinner.

Mrs. Jacobs stood to give a toast.  “I would just like to say I am so grateful that Connor was able to be here with us this year,” she paused and looked straight at Connor.  “You know, we weren’t sure that Penny would ever bring a boy home for the holidays.”

“Mother!” Penny interrupted.

“Well, dear, I just meant that you haven’t dated very much and I was beginning to worry that I would never see you married, let alone get to see any grandchildren.”

“Mother!  Please, you are embarrassing me.”  She could see Connor’s red face looking down at his place setting and her father giggling out of the corner of her eye.

“Honey, there is nothing to be embarrassed about.  I’m just saying I’m glad he is here, that’s all.”

Penny’s father stood up.  “Why don’t

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