Chapter 24: Small-Town Surprises
Quinn and Lisa wandered around the town, taking in the simple sights and reminiscing about Quinn's past. It was a peaceful day, one that allowed Quinn to briefly step away from his high-paced life in New York City. As they strolled, Quinn pointed out places of his childhood: the old playground, the schoolyard, the local market that still smelled like fresh produce. Lisa was all ears, enjoying every bit of his story. They stopped by a small café, grabbed some drinks, and sat outside under the warm sun. It felt calm, normal, and for a moment, Quinn relished that.
But back at home, his mother had other plans in mind.
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When Quinn's mother saw him walk out the door earlier that morning with Lisa by his side, she couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. Her son had brought home a beautiful, kind girl, and she had always hoped that this day would come. Even if Quinn hadn't explicitly introduced Lisa as his girlfriend, his mother saw it clearly in the way Lisa blushed and the way Quinn acted around her.
But she wasn't content to keep this exciting news to herself.
Without wasting any time, she picked up the phone and dialed the number of her closest friend, Mrs. Carter, who lived just a few houses down. "You won't believe it, but Quinn's brought home a girlfriend!" she exclaimed with a giggle.
Within minutes, Mrs. Carter had told her neighbor, and then her neighbor told someone else, and before long, the whole town knew that Quinn Parker had come home with a beautiful "daughter-in-law." Word spread like wildfire. The once-quiet neighborhood suddenly buzzed with excitement. People were curious about Quinn's mysterious girlfriend, and many wanted to meet her.
Soon, neighbors began to knock on the door, offering congratulations and asking to meet the lovely young lady. Quinn's mother, unable to refuse the requests of her long-time friends and neighbors, welcomed them in with open arms. What started as a simple afternoon became an impromptu celebration.
With each passing minute, more people arrived, and the excitement grew. Quinn's mother decided that if the neighbors were going to gather at their house, they might as well host a proper party. She quickly turned to her husband and said, "Go get some beers from the supermarket, and while you're at it, pick up some pork from the butcher. We'll throw a barbecue."
Quinn's father, always a man of action, didn't hesitate. He grabbed his keys and headed out to the local market. While there, he not only picked up a few cases of beer but also bought a fresh 20-pound slab of pork from the butcher. The butcher, curious about the large order, asked, "Special occasion?"
"Oh, just my son coming home with a surprise guest," Quinn's father replied with a proud smile.
Back at the house, Quinn's mother was busy preparing. She brought out folding tables, gathered chairs from around the house, and set them up in their spacious backyard. Their house had a large garden—big enough to host more than forty people without feeling cramped. It was the perfect place for a gathering. Soon, the scent of fresh pork grilling over the open flames filled the air as Quinn's father took control of the grill, expertly preparing the meat. His mother worked alongside him, seasoning the pork and brushing on layers of savory sauce.
As the afternoon wore on, more neighbors arrived, each one more curious than the last. Kids from the neighborhood ran around excitedly, while the adults chatted, eagerly awaiting the chance to meet Quinn and his new girlfriend. The energy in the air was palpable—there was no doubt that this had turned into a full-fledged party.
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Meanwhile, Quinn and Lisa were blissfully unaware of the chaos that was brewing back at home. After a peaceful morning of exploring, they began walking back toward the house, their conversation light and easy. Lisa was smiling, enjoying the small-town atmosphere, while Quinn was feeling relaxed for the first time in weeks.
However, as they neared his house, Quinn noticed something unusual. There were far more cars parked outside than there should have been. His brow furrowed in confusion as he walked up the driveway, only to hear the sound of chatter and laughter coming from the backyard.
"What the...?" Quinn muttered under his breath, picking up the pace.
Lisa, curious, followed him closely. As they turned the corner, they were met with a scene that left them both stunned. The backyard was filled with people—neighbors, friends, kids running around, and Quinn's parents, who were busy tending to the grill. The smell of pork filled the air, and the sound of beer cans being opened and drinks being poured echoed around them.
Quinn stood there, completely flabbergasted. He had only been gone for a few hours, and now it looked like his parents were hosting a block party. It didn't take him long to figure out what had happened—his mother had probably told one person about Lisa, and that was all it took for the whole town to show up.
Lisa's eyes widened in surprise. "Is this... because of me?"
Quinn sighed and shook his head, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Yeah. My mom must have spread the word. She's not exactly good at keeping things quiet."
Before they could take another step toward the house, a group of kids suddenly appeared, running up to them with wide eyes and excited faces. "Quinn! Quinn!" they shouted, surrounding him and Lisa like a swarm of bees.
"Is she really your girlfriend?" one of the boys asked, looking up at Lisa with curiosity.
"Where is she from?" a little girl chimed in, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"She's so pretty!" another girl exclaimed, looking at Lisa as if she were some kind of celebrity.
Lisa, caught off guard by the barrage of questions, blushed furiously. Her face turned bright red as she tried to keep up with the kids' rapid-fire questioning. "Uh, yes, I'm... I'm his girlfriend," she stammered, not knowing what else to say.
Some of the bolder kids even began calling her "sister-in-law," which only made her blush harder. "Sister-in-law! Is it true you're going to marry Quinn?"
Quinn rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a little embarrassed himself. He had expected some level of interest from the neighbors, but this was something else entirely. Still, seeing Lisa surrounded by kids, all of them clearly charmed by her, made him smile.
"She's not your sister-in-law yet," Quinn teased the kids, "but maybe one day."
The kids giggled, satisfied with Quinn's answer, and then ran off to tell their parents.
Quinn looked over at Lisa, who was still red-faced and flustered. "Sorry about that," he said, chuckling softly. "The kids around here can be a little... enthusiastic."
Lisa shook her head, smiling despite her embarrassment. "It's fine. They're sweet."
With that, they walked toward the house, where Quinn's parents were waiting for them with wide smiles. His mother looked particularly proud, her face beaming with excitement as she waved them over.
"Quinn! Lisa! Come join us!" she called out. "We're having a little party!"
Quinn exchanged a look with Lisa, who simply shrugged, and together they walked into the middle of the impromptu celebration.