The Office Curve

Zara Mercier, Phone Home

As much as I adore Kaim's mother, I don't think I appreciated her attempt to bust up my eardrum we called to announce our engagement.

The second attempt was met with contempt.  And the third attempt - well, I was surprised that I could still hear, though I nearly bit my tongue clean off.

On the other hand, it was nice to hear her so happy for us.  I don't know if was her blubbering, ugly crying (even over the phone) or the fact that she said "my dream has finally come true" like 26,000 times, but it was clear to me that she'd been waiting for this to happen for a long, long time.

"I've been waiting for this to happen for a long time!" she cried out.  I could just imagine her reaching for a box of Kleenex as the tears streamed her face.  I also imagined her face smudged with black streaks of mascara, but then I remembered that as put together as Cecile was, she wasn't a big make-up person.  "I knew you two would get married the first time I met you together, I just knew it.  You two are so perfect for each other!  You just are!"

"Mom, could you speak a little quieter?  I can't understand you!"  Kaim made as face as he pulled the phone away from his ear, his gentle request received with high-pitched squeal that was sure to get the attention of any dogs in the area.  "Mom, please, calm down, think of your blood pressure.  I don't want you to get so excited that you end up fainting."

"I'm not about the faint, and my blood pressure is just fine!  The doctor said so last week!"  Even though I was in real danger of losing my hearing, I couldn't help but smile at Cecile's elation.  "I'm so happy that I get to use that hope chest I've been saving!  My only child has finally found him a good woman and now, I get to plan the biggest wedding the world has ever seen for both of them."

"Mom, please don't get carried away."  His voice was firm, but Cecile didn't seem to pay attention to it.  "You know how I feel about this stuff - I'm not into a big weddings.  Besides, you and dad didn't have a big wedding, and you wanted it that way.  Why should I be any different?"

"Because you're my only child, and the reason your father and I didn't have a big wedding was because I refused to be a pregnant bride!"  Oh yeah...she was pregnant with him she married his dad, wasn't she?  "It's taken you a long time to settle down, Kaim, and now that you have, I really think that a big celebration is in order, especially since I wondered if you would settle down at all!"

"Ah, why don't we talk it about it more when we get back home, okay Mom?"  It was a diplomatic way to end the conversation without endangering his health, but I had a feeling it wouldn't make a difference.  "We just wanted to call and let you know our good news and I'm really happy that you are happy."

Cecile let out a few more incoherent screams - more than likely her way of relating her excitement.

Once the call ended, we plopped down onto the bed, exhausted.  Today had been a hell of a day - a lovely yacht trip, a surprise engagement, and an overexcited mother.  And the day wasn't done yet.  There were still more calls to be made, still more people to tell.  And then there was the prospect of having to reveal to Ms. Bradley that not only were Kaim and I in a relationship, we were now engaged.

I considered writing my last will and testament because there was no telling what the lionesses would do when they found out.

But then I thought it would be much better to arm myself with a stiletto and start swinging instead.

"What are you thinking about?"  Kaim leaned, over, resting his head on my shoulder.  I couldn't help but giggle.  "Or are you trying to determine if your hearing is still in tact."

"Both actually, but it seems my hearing is in working order, thank you very much."  I kissed his cheek.  "I was thinking about how the office is going to react to our announcement.  Since, you know, supposedly, office romances are 'supposed' to be forbidden."