"Oh, I am so happy to see you!" was the exclamation heard from beyond the doorway as Dottie entered the building first. Coming in behind her, Reuben saw Dottie encased in an enthusiastic hug from a greyer and older lady that looked fairly like her. The older lady continued on, saying, "Oh, it's been so long since I've gotten to hug you. It's been nearly two weeks! How's your schooling? Is this the young man you wanted us to meet?"
She paused in her questioning, realizing that Dottie was still wearing her shoes and jacket, and had yet to put her purse down, and yet still trying for an awkward one armed hug without hitting her. She reluctantly let go, and let Dottie further into the building and Reuben inside as well.
"Come in, come in, and put your stuff away."
Dottie quietly pointed out the closet as she put her light jacket away. Reuben followed suit, same with the shoes that were lined up neatly in the entryway with people's belongings stowed on top of them.
"Reuben, this is my Mom, Mrs. Vermont. Mom, this is Reuben, my boyfriend," Dottie introduced.
"Hi, Mrs. Vermont," stated Reuben, holding out his hand to shake.
"Oh, hi, Reuben," greeted Dottie's mother, "I am so glad that one of my daughters has brought somebody home. That means there's hope for the rest of them."
Reuben, noticing Dottie's happy and resigned expression at that last sentence, got that the topic was something that was teased about.
"Well, your daughter and I like each other a lot."
"I am so glad. Now, the rest of the family are in the living room," stated Dottie's mother more business-like as she showed the two over to the doorway on the left. Reuben looked quickly about. There was a set of stairs and two door ways to the right that, based on the era and style of the house, opened onto a washroom and the basement stairs. The kitchen was visible straight ahead. After the quick glance, he followed the two women into the living room. They paused in the door way.
"Hi," greeted Dottie, "so, this is Reuben. Reuben, this is my family. Can you all say your names, please?"
"Hi, I'm Francis."
"Hi, Reuben. I'm Carol."
"Hi, I'm Edward, or Ted."
"Hi, I'm Ross."
"I'm Gertrude, but call me Trudie."
"Hi, Reuben. You've met my wife, Patricia Vermont, and I'm Malin Vermont. Come in, and find a seat. The food has fifteen minutes in the oven so we have some time to visit before anything else has to be done."
"Thank you," answered Reuben as he went and found a spot near Dottie.
"So, do you know Dottie's full first name?" was quickly fired off by one of the siblings.
"It's Dorothy", he quickly answered. "She told me back one of the times we used to meet up to run before it got colder this winter."
"Good," came the answer, "'cause if you didn't know that, you don't know her well at all."
"So, your mother mentioned that this is the first time that either Dottie or her sisters has brought someone here. Does that mean that one of you guys have some one?"
Ted raised his hand. "I do, but she's currently out east finishing up university."
"Oh, where?"
"Erie Island University. She's going there for teaching, with a minor in music. You've got to hear her play. She plays the viola, and I know it's not as high as a standard violin, but she..."
The guy ended up shaking his head, out of words at the moment.
Ross piped up with, "She's awesome."
Francis was looking shrewdly at Reuben.
"So I've noticed that you changed topics. How about we go onto the previous one? So how did you and Dottie first meet?"
Reuben blushed slightly. "Well, I was walking back from a longer run, and she was walking out, and we said hi. We were on the trail between the fields and the southern area of town, you know the area that is slightly ignored where the river cuts through."
"Oh, I know that trail!" exclaimed Trudie, "The one that has that stream running through and if you follow it, you end up at the river?"
"Yep, that's the one."
"That's something we occasionally do when we go visit her in the spring or summer."
"So Dottie said that you're a werewolf," said Ted. "How did that happen, or is that something you want to share?"
"I got bit, but otherwise I don't really want to share."
"Are you still able to go to work?"
"Oh, yeah. I'm not the only werewolf that has worked in the office, so I have my days off around the full moon."
"I'm sure that is a huge bonus for you," commented Mr. Vermont.
"I'm glad of it as well," he answered.
"Now," continued Mr. Vermont, "Are you considered full time, part time, or casual?"
"I am considered full time, and it's not going away soon, if that's what you're asking."
"Good enough for now, but maybe us guys could go look at cars or do something after dinner."
"Sure," came Reuben's answer, because he knew disagreeing was not an option.
The rest of the time he was at the Vermont's place was good. It was an excellent meal of lasagna and leaf lettuce, and the conversation ranged over a variety of topics. There was the trepidation of going out with the guys of the household and the conversation they had, but he passed inspection. The guys lightened up more around him after that, and the conversation was light hearted for the rest of the visit.
"Thank you for having me over," said Reuben as he shook hands with Patricia and Malin, as they asked him to call them.
"Thank you for coming," stated the couple.
"It was nice to see you," added Patricia.