KATIE'S BOYFRIEND
Story by Susan Diamond
Katie is Joe’s only daughter. Before she was born, Marilyn and Joe had three boys, then two miscarriages, and finally Katie. She is the undisputed princess of the family.
You won’t find a more devoted father. Joe is a great dad to all his kids, but Katie is special. She has a generous heart, an even temper, and an upbeat personality. There’s no one who doesn’t love Katie after spending even five minutes in her company.
That’s why Joe was completely bewildered when his “little girl” fell in love with Doug.
The first time Doug came home with Katie for a weekend, was when the entire family got together to throw a retirement party for Joe. He and Marilyn were finally ready to enjoy a new season in their life. One where they could take it easy, enjoy their hobbies and spend time with their kids and grandkids.
When Katie introduced Doug to her brothers and sister-in-laws, it was a lukewarm reception by all the parties. Her nieces and nephews called Doug “creepy”, Grandma Mary forgot her manners and gave a disapproving scowl, Marilyn was reserved and Joe was deeply disappointed.
Doug is quiet. Silent is more accurate. He doesn’t speak comfortably and it is so painful to hold even a brief conversation with him that most everyone gives up after receiving a few forced syllables.
Katie’s boyfriend has even less than that going for him: He is not good looking. Next to Katie whose star shines so brightly, Doug is duller than dull. He has zero sense of style and dresses like a blind man raided a Goodwill.
So the whirlwind weekend continued with Doug being invisible to nearly all of the family – except for Katie.
It was obvious to everyone Katie adored her new boyfriend. She gave Doug long loving looks, they held quiet intimate conversations, he made her laugh.
Joe was the one watching most closely. He was baffled by the connection. He thought he knew his princess so well, and Doug was not the Prince Charming he expected to capture his daughter’s heart...read more
