Our days soon found their own routine. We would wake late after nights of watching TV curled up on the sofa. Cumzi, by now, had made his way from the back of the sofa where he would normally spend his nights to being tangled up in my legs among my fleece blanket. I loved this as it meant he had excepted me as part of his family. I cuddled up to his dad, he cuddled up to me.
I’d met up a few times by now with Jess’s cousin, Pam. She welcomed me from the beginning, think she realized just how much I loved her cousin who she’s always been close to. We went out one day for a drive around the older parts of town. The houses were so pretty. It was a lovely time of year, the trees all in the autumnal gowns, bedecked in beautiful scarlet, orange, yellows, gold and a little green left… brown leaves piled on lawns to be cleared or left in bags by the side of the road. The sky was a beautiful clear blue and the sun shone warming the afternoon. It didn’t feel like October at all. We had a late lunch while out and chatted like old friends. There was absolutely no awkwardness, no pauses. That was mainly because I can talk for England, folks. But in Pam I found a wonderful companion… very warm and a joy to be with.
I didn’t panic at not being with Jess which is a compliment to how Pam is, as I’d not been out of Jess’s sight since I’d arrived. I found it hard being in a different country without the security of him at my side. He didn’t seem to mind this though, in fact, I’d say he welcomed it. I digress again… Pam took me home. After we found it, that is. Jess had let loose on American roads two woman who had no sense of direction. Even the phone SatNav seemed to sound puzzled. But Pam was a trooper and found the way without to much ado. I swear when she told me that she didn’t know the way back, I’d had visions of us driving around till dusk and then calling one very bemused Jess asking him where we were. But that would have been okay. I’d enjoyed my traveling companion’s company. (I think she was glad we didn’t get too lost though as she told Jess later “I thought Tess was so quiet. She soon came out of her shell. Boy can she talk! LOL Poor Pam.
Jess by now had also taken me out to meet his daughter and her lovely family. I’d been extremely nervous at meeting them all. What would they make of this strange British fiance of their dad’s. I need not have worried though. They were, again, very welcoming over a lovely dinner in an Italian restaurant. No one I had met in Jess’s family had not, so far, welcomed me with open arms. I never felt left out at all.
Firm plans were made for my first ever Thanksgiving. We were going to meet up with all Jess’s children and grandchildren for breakfast, then onto Pam’s and aunt Jean’s for the Thanksgiving dinner. I really looked forward to meeting everyone but confess I was a little nervous. (As it turned out I need not have been. They are all warm, lovely people. Totally amazing.) I will tell you all about my Thanksgiving dinner later. These folks made it something I will never forget for the rest of my life. That evening we sat full of the most wonderful food. No one leaves Aunt Jean’s hungry. LOL We sat like a couple of stuffed turkeys dozing on the sofa, Cumzi at my side as always.
We eventually woke up in the early hours. Jess looked at me. “You hungry?” ‘Course I was. I’m a foodie. I can always eat. He suggested the delightful Denny’s for (get this…) dinner. (Take into account it’s 3am now.) Hey. Why the hell not? It’s chilly out, but I love the fact I’ve met someone else who doesn’t mind getting up in the night and driving. I love nothing more than this. It’s kind of like bucking the trend. Every normal person, I believe, is dreaming of doing things like this. And here we are laughing like kids at the Comedy Channel on the radio and going out for yet another Thanksgiving dinner. LOL We had it all… roast turkey, stuffing, creamy mash, broccoli, creamed corn… all ,smothered in thick gravy. This served with garlic bread and steaming coffee. I ate the lot. It’s on this very night we discovered our usual, LOL, our usual being something we would have regular after that night: a dessert of beautiful tart apple topped with a sugary sweet crunchy topping. This served piping hot and topped with vanilla ice cream. It was heaven and once tried always asked for. LOL We left an hour later, hand-in-hand, full to the brim, to go back home to bed. This we were to repeat many times during the weeks I was there.
To be continued…
My American Man In Purple Lace Corsets 