Page 7 of Goodbye To Tomorrow

Chapter 2

Jiraiya

The meeting

The soft screeching sound of tires announced our presence as my car came to a stop in front of the four-door garage of my parents’ home. I stepped out almost immediately; rushing over to the other side of the car. My attempt to be a gentleman was thwarted by Gracen, who let herself out of the car just before I got to the door.

"Really?" I said as I heard the door open, catching sight of Gracen as she stepped out.

"You don't have to open doors for me all the time, you know."

She gently closed the door behind her, stretching her left arm out towards my direction, her purse in her other hand.

"But you could do this," she added with an adorable smile.

"Yeah, right," I responded before taking her hand, clutching it in my arm.

Gracen looked dazzling under the early morning sun. I was dressed simply in a pair of white linen pants and a grey buttoned down long-sleeved shirt. I was in no way a guest in my parent's home, so luxury wasn't part of my wardrobe for the day.

Gracen had tried to keep it gracefully unpretentious; she wasn't so sure about how receptive or approving my parents would be of her fashion style. I was of little help. My only advice was that my parents were cool people and her clothing wouldn’t matter a bit. Gracen knew better than to listen to me.

She was draped in a knee-length, white fitted dress with green flowery patches all over. The dress blended beautifully with her skin color. She wore a simple, yet exquisite, piece of jewelry and a small green handbag to go with it.

The front door flew open as soon as we reached the doorway. Lucy, the housekeeper greeted us, dressed in a black uniform with a white apron tied around her ample waistline.

"Hello Sir, it's so nice to see you; we have been expecting you."

"Hello Lucy, it is good to see you. How have you been? It's been a while."

“I am good Sir,” she replied giving me a friendly smile. She stepped back from the doorway to let us in, before closing the front door behind her.

"Babe, this is Lucy. She takes care of my parent’s home and she does such a wonderful job. She and Rose, our cook, have become part of the family." I face Gracen as I introduced her to Lucy.

"Meet my fiancée, Gracen," I added with a flourish.

They exchanged warm pleasantries as we stood there in the foyer.

"Where are father and mother?" I asked Lucy as we walked toward the sitting room. Gracen seated herself on one of the beautifully designed cushioned chairs.

"They are upstairs. I will get them right away," Lucy responded. "I was helping Rose with breakfast in the kitchen just before you arrived," she added before darting off.

Lucy’s mission was cut short by the sound of my mother’s voice and footsteps coming from the stairs at the far end of the living room.

"Jiraiya!" my mother called out affectionately, excitement peppering her voice. “I thought I heard your voice.”

"Mother!" I replied with joy in my heart, and turned in her direction.

"So nice to see you Son," my mother said as she took hold of me, drawing me in to a warm hug. “It’s been much too long.” She gave me an extra squeeze as she fussed over me.

One could tell, just by looking at us, that we had shared many memorable moments together and that we loved each other dearly.

“Where is she?" My mother asked after she had released me from the hug, and before catching a glimpse of the seated Gracen.

I chuckled from the expression on my lovely mother’s face.

"Oh my! You are so gorgeous, my dear," mother said, as she advanced into the room. Gracen rose, eager to give and take the embrace.

“Thank you, Mrs. Sampson,” Gracen responded shyly with a visible blush to her fair cheeks.

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