Dinner with the family

At the end of the semester and indeed your entire attendance at college, you were finally free to do as you pleased. After your graduation ceremony you went back home to celebrate with your family. It was then that you made your move.

"Mom, girls, I'd like to buy you all dinner" you told them.

"What's the occasion?" Dawn asked.

"Yeah, usually you don't want to splurge" your mother asked.

Rebecca eyed you knowingly. "I think it's nice" she said with a smile.

"Gift horses and all that" you told your mother and baby sister.

"When are we going?" your mom asked.

"Tonight" you said.

Wearing your Sunday best, the entire family went to the restaurant you'd made reservations at: an Italian restaurant called Sciarelli's. On your arm was Dawn, who made quite a figure in a nice summer dress. Your mom and Rebecca were knockouts too, with your mom in a pants suit that looked as good in the board room as in a fancy restaurant and Rebecca in a classy skirt and blouse combo. You hoped they wouldn't mind being outclassed by your lover.

By the time you were seated you quickly sent a text message to Sophie, who came inside and walked right over towards you. Having spotted her you smiled.

"What are you smiling about?" your mother asked before following your gaze.

"Wow" Dawn said, "she's pretty."

When she reached your table you got up and walked to her, kissing her tenderly on the lips.

"Mom, girls, I want you to meet my girlfriend Sophie" you said.

Three jaws dropped and as one the women of your family gaped at you. Soldiering on, you went on with the introductions.

"Sophie, this is my mom, my baby sister Dawn, and big sister Rebecca."

"So what do you do, Sophie?" your mom asked.

"I'm a professor of Anthropology and Archaeology" your lover replied.

"That means.." Dawn said.

"That you give lectures at John's college" your mom finished. Then she turned to face you. "Was Sophie your professor?"

"Yes, mom" you said. "We waited until my graduation until we made it official."

"You are in a relationship with a student?!" your mom said, slightly raising her voice.

"Mom, please, don't make a scene" you said.

"Maria, please" Sophie said. "This is an entirely mutually consensual relationship."

"Was it?" Rebecca asked.

"Yes, Bec" you said.

"I think it's cute" Dawn said with a smile. You answered the smile. Sophie did likewise.

"How old are you, exactly?" your mom asked.

"I'm 45" Sophie said, abashedly.

"Woah" Dawn said. Rebecca grinned at you.

"Good job, little bro" she said.

"Don't encourage him, Rebecca" your mother said.

That was enough for you. "Mom, a word, please? In private?" you said, getting up. Sophie took your hand, giving you a pleading look, but you just shook your head. Your mother stood up too and followed you to a quiet corner of the restaurant.

"What are you doing?" you asked her.

"Are you nuts?" your mother hissed. "She's as old as I am! And your professor, no less!"

"I'm not nuts, I'm in love, and yes, I know" you calmly replied.

"You should be with someone your own age!" your mother said.

"I don't see why. All I got from girls my age is grief. Sophie and I love one another and I feel far more secure with her than I ever did with Alison" you told her.

"Oh yeah? And what if you want to have kids with her? Huh? They'll be 18 when she turns 63!" your mom said.

"So what? Aunt Kim's fling was older than she was" you replied.

"That was a fling!" she told you.

"A fling that still got her pregnant, mom. What happened to accepting peoples' love? You didn't have a fit when Rebecca first came home with a girl" you said.

"That girl wasn't twice her age, John" your mother replied. You were about to say something in return when Dawn appeared.

"Mom, John, can you please stop arguing?" she said.

"What?" your mother asked.

"Mom, Sophie is an amazing woman. I think you should sit down and talk to her" you said, quickly using the silence that had fallen to your advantage.

"Please, mom?" Dawn begged. "That'd be better than arguing with your only son."

Heaving a heavy sigh, your mother nodded. "Fine" she said. "I'll give her a shot. But this isn't over, John."

"Neither is my relationship with her" you said, content with your victory. You led the way back, where a concerned-looking Sophie followed your every step.

"I'm sorry about that, Sophie" your mother said as you all got seated again.

"It's alright" Sophie said even as she took your hand. "I can imagine it's a bit of a shock to see your son come home with someone as old as you are."

"Yes" your mom simply said, looking at your hand in Sophie's.

"Well, for what it's worth, you raised your children just fine on your own" your lover told your mother. "I like Johna lot, of course, but Rebecca and Dawn are so nice."

Having told Sophie just how to get in your mother's good graces, you had trouble suppressing a smile. Your mother seemed to forget all about her anger and misgivings, happily talking to Sophie about raising the three of you on her own. Rebecca gave you a smile, nodding at you.