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I felt excited and nervous as I pulled onto our street. I could see
that mother was in the garden, leaning over, pulling the hose behind
her. I pulled the car up into the driveway. She turned and looked at
me, then dropped the hose.
“Colonel! Colonel!” she called out for my father. The door
to the house flung open and my father ran out, his pipe hanging from
his hand.
“What the-” he stopped as he saw us. I waved meekly, unsure
of what to do next. Should I get out of the car and hold hands with
Madlax? Not hold hands? I heard the car door slam and saw that Madlax
was walking toward them. My father tapped his pipe out on the porch
railing and walked down the steps towards Madlax. I held my breath.
“Mission accomplished, sir.” Madlax saluted him.
“What?” I got out of the car, thoroughly confused. Instead
of tension and yelling, my father was standing there, tucking his pipe
into his pocket with a smile.
“Good job, soldier.” He extended his hand to Madlax. “Welcome
to the family.”
“Wait a minute! What’s going on here!” I ran up to
them.
“And were my assumptions correct?” my mother leaned over
to Madlax and pointed her finger at me.
“Absolutely on target, madam.” Madlax said politely.
“Ahah! I knew it! I knew it all along!” my mother straightened
up triumphantly. I stood there in shock, as they all grinned at me in
a conspiratorial fashion.
“Knew what? Just what is going on here?” I had my hands
on my hips.
“That you lost your virginity to Williston in that old car.”
Madlax said calmly, as if it were nothing more than a weather observation.
I staggered back, hand over my mouth.
“And that you refused to ever move on after that, dear. You would
never let it go. You kept that car, and Will, like a chain around your
neck.” My mother stepped forward, her hands out to me. “We
never thought anything would be able to break it.”
“Until this bold youngster came along yesterday and took a challenge
from me that I was sure would never be met.” My father nodded
his head at Madlax.
Stunned, I let my mother lead me towards the house. So the suits, the
new car- it was for me, for my family. I could hear my father talking
to Madlax behind me.
“Speechless for once, Vanessa dear?” my mother teased. “I
have to say, I’m most impressed with this young lady- even if
she is female.”
“Oh.” I was still in shock.
“But I still want those grandchildren.” She raised her voice.
I felt Madlax’s arms go around my waist.
“You’ll get them. I can’t promise overnight delivery
like I did with the car- can you wait nine months?” she patted
my belly with her hands.
“Madlax!”
