The Perfection of Love

by J. L. Monro

  “I don’t know what I did in this life to deserve you Joe, and Mills. But I am so thankful to have you both.” He kissed the top of my head and then shooed me off him.

  “You’re so mushy sometimes. I think I might drown in all your gushing.” He put my plate of food down on the dining table and pushed me towards the chair and made me sit. I laughed at his fake repulsion.

  “It’s okay. Deacon gets tired quite quickly so I’ll just pop by in the morning. I think his parents will probably be there by the afternoon. I kind of want to get in and see him and get out before they arrive. Deacon and I are just about trying to work out what the dynamics of our relationship are. I don’t think I’m actually ready to meet his Mum and Dad yet.”

  “Lana told Saz, who told Mills, who told me although I asked her to keep me out of girl gossip medley, about what happened over the weekend. The guy clearly loves you and from the looks of things you feel the same way. You are long overdue your second chance at happiness Dana. So you meet his parents. Big Whoop. Get in there and show them that you’re the person about to make their son happy for the rest of his life.”

  I stared Joe for a good minute. Then responded with my mouth full of pie. “Mills told you to give me a pep talk didn’t she?” The roll of Joe’s eyes confirmed my suspicions.

  “She thinks Deacons good for you. I think it’s good for me to not have Mills nagging in my ear. She’s all sweet as pie with you lot. She can be a moany old biddy when she’s ready if it’s just the two of us. She has this technique of silently wearing you down until you give in. Just take the advice Dana and make it look like I did my job without you discovering she was the mastermind.” Joes puppy dog eyes nearly made me snort out potato everywhere. It didn’t suit him.

  “I’ll think about it.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  I dropped Jakey to school in the morning and then made my way to the hospital to visit Deacon. I was so glad he was recovering. If I’d lost him, I really don’t know what I would have done. I had given what Joe had said some thought last night and still decided I didn’t want to meet Deacons parents yet. We could do that awkward meeting another time. I’m sure they’d want an explanation from Deacon as to what he was doing with a neurotic woman that suffered with panic attacks who had a seven-year-old child in tow when he could have his pick of women. Ma always said she was glad she had girls to take care of instead of boys. She warned us early on that boys were often the apple of their mother’s eye and they didn’t take kindly to women coming along to cut the apron strings.

  I assumed that Deacon didn’t have any clothes and I didn’t have a key to his flat so I stopped off at some shops and picked him up some jogging bottoms and some plain black and white t-shirts so that he could at least be comfortable. I also picked up some toiletries for him as I didn’t know what the hospital would provide or when his parents would arrive to be able to help him. I had to guess what he would want. If I spent half of the time I spent running away from Deacon paying attention to the things he actually liked, like he had done with me I wouldn’t have spent two hours in the men’s grooming section of the supermarket trying to work it out.

  Deacon was sleeping when I arrived at the hospital so I went to leave the bags of clothes by his bed and leave. He looked nothing like the man I knew who was full of life and doing everything possible to put a smile on my face. I just wanted to wave my non-existent magical wand and make him better and start being with him the way he wanted.

  “Where are you going?” I nearly jumped out of my skin at Deacons sleep riddled voice. He slowly opened his eyes, which brought his bruises on his face to my attention.

  “I thought you were sleeping.” Once my heart had recovered I instinctively crossed the room over to him and kissed him. “How are you feeling?” I used my fingers to gently comb through his hair in a hope to make feel even an ounce better.

  “Like I was hit by a car.” His eyes focused on my hands and brought them close to him where he laced his fingers with mine and kissed the back of my hand and then the tip of each finger. “What goodies did you bring me?” He was already reaching for the bags and I grabbed them before he fell out of bed with his efforts.

  “Nothing interesting. Can you try to keep still and remember that you were involved in a serious accident? If you want something I’ll get it for you. I didn’t know what you had in here so I just brought you some essentials. If it’s not the right size or there’s other things that you want then just let me know and I can pick them up for you later. I’m not stopping long I want to get away before your parents come so you can spend some time alone with them. I’m sure they’re really worried about you and they haven’t seen you for a while so they’ll want to catch up with you and make sure you’re not at death’s door.” Deacon wasn’t looking at the bag anymore. He was studying me. “What is it?” I suddenly felt very self conscious.

  “I love you. That’s all. I want you to always know that. They won’t be here for hours. Come here.” He pulled me towards him and down into the deepest most meaningful kiss we’d had. Only one problem.

  “Deacon, I love you too but you need to brush your teeth.” Not enough love in the world can make me ignore probably two days worth of morning breath.

  “Suck it up woman and keep kissing me. Love me, love my morning breath.” He didn’t let me up so we continued the kiss. As usual, it was perfect. Morning breath and all.

  I didn’t hear anyone enter the room so I almost fell over when I heard a voice behind me.

  “Jules I think we’re interrupting him.” A melodic female tone had startled me and had me turning abruptly to find out whom it was coming from.

  “Just cough up the ten bucks you owe me woman.” Was the gruff response from the man who stood beside her.

  “Hey Mom. Dad. Ever heard of knocking.” The immaculately dressed blonde hair woman came across the room and stood next to me. The woman who I guessed was Deacons mum wasn’t very tall and a little round in places but there was not a thread out of place. She and Mara would get on like house on fire. Her eyes were a warm blue and she had a friendly smile on her face that was inviting. Not that inviting that I was considering staying longer than I needed to.

  “Hi I’m Deborah. DeeDee’s mom and this is Jules, his dad.” She held out her hand and I shook it. I got to understand she was more than just friendly as she pulled me in for a hug and then released me.

  “I’m Dana.” I turned to Deacon still surprised from the embrace. “DeeDee?” He groaned and looked slightly uncomfortable which made me burst out laughing. His dad had also come over and shook my hand.

  “Boy you’re awake and fine. What they call us for? Don’t look like there’s anything wrong with you. You seem fully capable of sucking face with this beautiful girl here.” Jules took a seat and crossed his legs, looking utterly board with the prospect of having to spend time in the hospital. Jules was about the same height as Deacon. Maybe slightly shorter but you could tell he was his father. The pair were almost identical except that Jules had definite brown eyes unlike Deacons hazel eyes. His hair was salt and pepper, which made him look extremely attractive for an older man. I couldn’t help but hope that Deacon looks like that in his later years.

  “Ooooohhhhh Jules! You’re so crude sometimes. The girl’s only just met you. She’s going to think you’re a caveman.” This was too surreal.

  “Mom, why do you owe dad ten dollars?” Deacon eyes were peaked with suspicion and now I was curious.

  “Oh that.” Now she looked slightly embarrassed. “We may have made a bet a while ago that you were gay.” Deacon’s eyes shot up and I definitely could not control my laughter. “Well you never bring girls home. Even when you were a teenager so I thought you might be that way inclined. You’re dad said there was no chance so we made a bet.” Deacon was glaring at her now which made me laugh harder. “DeeDee we’re retired we have to spice our days up somehow.” Now I totally lost it. I was buckled over, holding my sides. Deacons parents we
re funny and definitely not because they were trying to be. “The wager entertained us for that afternoon. Anyway in answer to your question, we told you we were outside the hospital ten minutes ago. You knew we were coming.” I immediately shot daggers at Deacon in a way so that his parents couldn’t see. He delayed me in the hospital room on purpose so I’d have to meet them and lied about being asleep. Asshole!

  “Mom, I never brought any girls home because no one I met was worthy of meeting you. Until now that is. You’ll be happy to know that I am not gay. Never even considered it on a bad day and there is the prospect of lots and lots of grandbabies in your future.”

  Would he ever get tired of putting me on the spot and embarrassing me? Although I needed to consider what he was saying. He had never brought a girl home and even inadvertently led them to believe he was gay. Yet here he was in a haphazard way introducing me to his mum and dad. If I wasn’t still slightly pissed about him tricking me into staying to meet them I would be awed that he thinks that much of me that I’m the first one of his girlfriends to ever meet his parents.

  “Deacon, I’ve got to get back to work. You’re parents are here now and you’ve got supplies so you’ll be comfortable. Call me if you need anything.” I picked up my bag and turned to tell Deborah and Jules goodbye.

  “You’re forgetting something babe.” Deacon was puckered up like a five year old little boy with his eyes squeezed shut. There was no way I was kissing him in front of his parents. Again. What was it in his brain that made him go from genius doctor to juvenile delinquent in less than sixty seconds? Maybe I needed to just accept the fact that I will never understand male behavior.

  “Don’t mind us Dana. We’re just glad he’s not packing the fudge. Is that how the kids say it now Deacon?” I wanted to laugh but she looked dead serious. Both Deacon and Jules groaned.

  I walked over to Deacon and gave him PG-rated kiss on his lips before whispering in his ear “You’re going to pay for this stunt”. He didn’t even have the good grace to look remotely afraid.

  “Dana, are you coming back today?” His mum looked hopeful. No doubt she wanted to grill me for information on who I was and what my intentions were towards her son. Not if I can help it. I was going to avoid her at all costs.

  “I don’t want to get in the way of you spending time with Deacon.” Back away to the door. I can see where this is going and I need to escape fast.

  “Nonsense. I think they’re planning on releasing him tomorrow. You must come over for dinner.” There was nothing in her tone that made it sound like a request. “I want to get to know the English rose that has captured my son’s heart.” Oh she was good. “I’ll cook and you be over for six o’clock. How does that sound?”

  Sounds awful is how it sounds and like my worst nightmare. This was exactly the reason why I hadn’t wanted to be here when his parents came. Now I was going to have to panic all night about what to wear for this dinner and remind myself not to swear in front of her. Luckily I was dressed for work today and not my usual run around clothes which consisted of a baggy pair of sweat pants that were torn all over and a old t-shirt that either used to belong to Pops or one of Lana’s old boyfriends. I was going to have to make sure I gave a good impression tomorrow. Great.

  “Perfect.” Deacon was grinning at my uncomfortable position. I was seriously going to make him pay for this. I said my final goodbyes and made a hasty exit. I wonder how much Deacon had actually told them about me. Did they even know I had a child? Deborah seemed like a very nice, friendly woman but I very much doubt she’d want me for her son. I hope to God, Deacon hadn’t described my family to her. Images from that fateful dinner that he came to ran through my mind and none of it was good. She’d probably think we all belong on a psychiatric ward with intensive treatment. The sooner I get home the sooner I can hit my wine and ice cream!

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  The next day I was a bag of nerves. I really did not want to sit down at a table with Deacon and his parents. Something told me I was going to be put under the spotlight and it was most likely going to be Deacon who put me there and smirked at the whole event. I wore a basic navy blue shift dress and accessorized with some faux pearl jewelry. I didn’t want them to think I was some slut that Deacon had picked up with. I had left Jakey with Joe for the evening. Joe had made sure I knew exactly how funny he thought I looked. He called me an Audrey Hepburn reject. Bastard. It’s not like I wasn’t anxious already, he had to go and make it ten times worse with that comment and it was too late for me to go home and change. When I knocked on the flat door after being buzzed up Deborah answered the door and pulled me in to a hug.

  “Dana, I’m so glad to see you again. You are just in time. I made spaghetti Bolognese because DeeDee said it was your favorite.” I heard Deacon yell from inside the flat “Stop calling me that in public, it’s embarrassing.” Deborah just laughed and shut the door behind me taking my coat as we walked further into the flat. She leaned in and whispered, “He thinks I call him DeeDee because I’m old and like to remember him as a little boy. It has nothing to do with that. Deacon likes to embarrass people if you haven’t noticed and sometimes I think it’s nice when people get a taste of their own medicine.” I couldn’t help but laugh. Looks like Deacon may have his match in his own mother.

  The dining room was all made up like at a restaurant with all the cutlery you would ever need with glasses for both red and white wine. I assumed that Deborah had set the table as she gave the impression that she liked everything in its place as I watched her move swiftly back into the kitchen and bustle around getting everything ready. I offered to help but she told me I might end up in the pot if I try to help her. Deacon and Jules were already sitting at the table. Deacon was in a wheelchair that they had given him at the hospital to try and keep him off his leg as much as possible while it and the rest of his body healed.

  “Hey baby, I missed you. Deacon wheeled over to me and I leaned down to kiss him.

  “Enough of that. Let’s eat.” Jules sounded as though his stomach was about to cave in on him where he hadn’t eaten for a month and once he started on his food I wouldn’t have believed otherwise. He ate like it was the last supper. Deacon laughed at me gaping in shock.

  “Jules where are your table manners? Poor Dana, is going to think DeeDee comes from a family of animals with the example you’re setting.” Deborah looked amused and irritated at the same time.

  The rest of dinner proceeded as normal. I told Deborah and Jules about Jakey and they seemed delighted which wasn’t the response I was expecting. I guess if there was the suspicion that Deacon was gay, then there was the possibility that they were never going to get grandchildren. At least this way they’d have Jakey. Woah. Way too advance in my thoughts. Deacon hadn’t even really spent time with Jakey so how were my thoughts roaming to a place where his parents were considered Jakey’s grandparents?

  “Dana, we’ve decided to only stay for the week as DeeDee doesn’t need us here and we left a few things unattended back home. Would you and Jacob come and spend the day with us before we go?”

  “Mom, stop forcing yourself on people. It’s not a nice trait.”

  Jules finally looked up from his plate of food “Deacon don’t talk to your mother that way. Deborah stop imposing yourself on the girl. She might have plans.”

  “I don’t have plans....I don’t think. Since you’re only here for the week Jakey and I could give you a tour before you go home. I’m sure there are some sights that even Deacon hasn’t managed to see yet. Although I don’t know how you’re going to get round in that wheelchair.” I saw a smile creep across Deacons face that I knew meant no good for me.

  “I’m not sure I’ll be up to going out this weekend. I mean I was just involved in a car crash. Why don’t you take my parents sightseeing Dana and I’ll see you when you all get back. We can order some food in so no one has to cook.”

  “That a wonderful idea DeeDee. You should be getting as much rest as possible
and it gives your dad and I a chance to get to know Dana some more without you crowding us.”

  “You just hung your old man out to dry like that? Huh son?” I’m guessing sight-seeing was Jules idea of hell so I gave him an out.

  “Well Jules I’m sure you’ll come and visit another time. You could stay and keep Deacon company while I take Deborah off to see some sights and that way we can get some shopping done as well without killing you with boredom.” Jules looked about as happy as he possibly could be.

  “Sounds like a plan. Deacon you got yourself a good one there. Don’t mess it up.” He slapped his son on the back and went back to his plate of food.

  And that was how I ended up spending my whole weekend with Deacon’s mother. When I went home that evening I had to explain everything with Jakey. He was dubious at first.

  “Why do I need to go with you to spend the day with Deacon’s mum? I could stay with Uncle Joe or even Aunty Mara.” He moaned.

  “I need back up mate. “ Which was the Gods’ honest truth. I sat down with Jakey and explained to him that Deacon and I were together in the most basic way I could with enough detail to not encourage him to ask more questions than was necessary. Jakey had been amazing. Well sort of. He liked Deacon from when he met him at Ma and Pops house. He still wasn’t sold on spending the whole day with his mother. I resorted to bribery. It came down to twenty pounds and a new Xbox game and he wouldn’t complain the whole day.