Nothing to apologize for

Several hours had passed and Anthony and Rebecca had finally arrived in Anthony's hometown, where she would be meeting his parents in just a few seconds. They were driving into the driveway, and Rebecca could feel her nervousness resurface. During the ride she and Anthony had been talking and joking around. He was telling her about all the places they would be visiting. All of it distracting her from thinking about having to meet his parents. It was all moving quite fast for her, but she was doing her best to not let it get to her. She had made Anthony a promise and he had assured her that things would be fine. That his parents would be accepting her, that they would love her. So, she was going to have faith in those words.

The car came to a stop and Anthony said, "We are here. Home sweet home". He stepped out of the car, getting ready to open Rebecca's side of the car, while she took one last deep breath. As if the air inside the car contained that what she would be needing once she had stepped inside Anthony's childhood home, courage. The door was opened and Anthony reached out his hand. Rebecca looked at Anthony's stretched out hand, and her eyes slowly made their way up as she moved her hand towards his. Everything was happening in slow-motion in her eyes, and the moment her hand touched his, Rebecca saw the warm smile that was on Anthony's face. It was accompanied by equally warm eyes, which were telling her the same thing he had told her in words before, that she would be fine and that she would be loved. When she saw this, she smiled back and stepped out of the car without an ounce of hesitation, filled to the brim with unexplainable confidence.

Rebecca held Anthony's hand as they walked up to the door and watched as he rang the doorbell. Almost instantly she heard an excited voice from the other side of the door say, "Richard, they are here! They're finally here". Anthony chuckled and Rebecca looked up sideways before she showed an amused smile. Shortly after the hidden voices were heard, the door was opened and there stood a middle-aged man and woman, both smiling equally wide, greeting them warmly.

His mom started with hugging Anthony, saying "Welcome home honey. I missed you.", before she turned her attention to Rebecca. While Anthony's father pulled his son into a bear-hug, his mother ushered Rebecca inside as she said, "Come in, come in. Welcome." As she took Rebecca's coat his mother was talking to Rebecca, saying kind words of concern you only hear mothers utter. Saying things like, "You poor thing. You must be so tired from that long drive. Are you cold? I should brew you two some warm tea". That is when she struck her fist against her own hand and exclaimed, "Hot coco. What was I thinking by suggesting tea. You can have tea anywhere, but your mom's coco, now that is THE way to feel right at home, wouldn't you agree?"

But Rebecca was barely paying attention to his mother's words. She was just nodding, while being lost in her own thoughts. Thinking about the uncanny resemblance of Anthony and his parents. From the way they looked, to the way they moved and behaved. She immediately felt familiar around her, and her earlier nerves were like a long forgotten dream.

Rebecca could tell with one look that two people she had just met, were indeed Anthony's parents. Even if she hadn't known they would be visiting them today, even if she had met them somewhere other than his childhood home, she would have instantly been able to recognize them as Anthony's parents. His father as tall as an oak, his mother having the exact same eyes and smile. If Anthony's smile hadn't eased her worries, seeing the image of his parents' welcome certainly would have.

Even their small mannerisms were the same. The way his mom took her coat, the way his father was oblivious, walking off with Anthony without even introducing himself to her. With a chuckle she recalled that, neither had his mom. As she observed the group of three, while she followed them into the living room, she whispered to herself, "If today is just going to be me spending time with two more Anthony's, and getting them to like me, I indeed won't have to worry about a thing. They are incapable of disliking someone".

She chuckled when she whispered those words to herself, instantly drawing the attention of all three of them. They turned their heads around in a snap, like a bunch of Golden Retrievers. Anthony asking, "What's wrong?" Rebecca had to fight every urge to not burst into laughter from the sight of those three faces, but she pulled herself together swiftly and replied with ultimate composure, "Nothing's wrong. I just cleared my throat".

Anthony smiled as he continued to look at her in silence, while Rebecca's words seemed to have snapped his parents back to reality. His mother said, "Oh dear, we're so silly. Richard, quickly come here and introduce yourself." Then she turned towards Rebecca before holding out her hand and introducing herself as, "My name is, Susan. I am Anthony's mother." Rebecca took her hand and shook it as she introduced herself. Anthony's mother exclaimed, "Oh what a lovely name you have dear."

Rebecca thanked her for the compliment, which was quickly followed by his mom apologizing. "I'm sorry dear for not introducing myself earlier, I don't know where I am at with my head. I was just so nervous to meet my son's special friend. He wouldn't tell me anything about you, but he told me he wanted to introduce us to someone special and it is the first time he has ever brought home a girl. So, I couldn't help but worry. I hope you won't hold it against us." An apology Rebecca quickly dismissed. Saying, "No, no. Nothing to apologize for. Honestly".

But she hadn't frantically waved off the first apology or did she find herself on the receiving end of another one.