#11 Meeting the Folks

The drive to Wellsboro took almost 3 hours. Jim and Pam played silly car games and constantly changed the radio station to see who could locate the cheesiest love song. They settled on “All out of Love” by Air Supply and sang it at the top of their lungs and out of tune in the closed car. They talked about their favorite games and toys as children.

Pam embarrassingly confessed of her teenage obsession with the country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. In penance for laughing a full 20 minutes at Pam’s past passion, Jim confessed that he had seen the movie Wayne’s World a total of 43 times. Jim made a Dairy Queen stop and they bought large chocolate dipped cones. Jim hit the brakes once too hard and his ice cream ended up on the dashboard.

They pulled up in front of Pam’s parent’s house at 1:45. Jim looked at the split level blue house. It had a small garden near the entrance of pansies and marigolds. There was a silk flower wreath on the front door. Parked in the drive was a small black Ford Escape. The skies overhead had cleared of all the clouds and rain. The sun was shining brightly. The lawn was tidy and had been freshly mowed.

“Your parents have no idea I’m with you do they?” Jim said, slightly nervous. He wore a pair of faded denims and a grey t-shirt with green cuffs. Pam picked it out because it brought out the color in his eyes. Pam wore a pair of khaki Capri pants and a soft green tank top.

“No.” Pam lied. She had called them on her cell while Jim was in the bathroom during a gas stop. She saw the look of anxiety on Jim’s face. She reached over and touched his hand. “I promise not to let them know that we took a shower together this morning.”

“1, 2, 3 ha ha ha.” Jim cracked, “Maybe they would be impressed with our act of water conservation.”

Pam gave his hand a squeeze. “Just be you Jim. They have known about you a long time. You met mom.”

“Yeah briefly,” Jim replied and added, “Wasn’t that while you were engaged to marry another man?”

“But, you know what?” Pam replied, “Even then she knew that you were special to me.”

“Can I say I love you again?” Jim said and he looked at her.

“Don’t ever stop.” Pam answered and she leaned over and kissed him.

The front door to the house opened and Pam’s mother came out of the house. She was tall and slender, with brown hair and a wide smile. She wore a pair of jeans and a white shirt embossed with a pink ribbon on it. Jim pulled away from Pam and gave a small nervous smile. Mrs. Beesly walked over to the car and Pam opened her door and got out. She ran over to her mother and gave her a big hug. Her mom returned the hug with just as much gusto. Jim got out of the car and stood silent.

“Jim!” Pam’s mom said. “It’s so good to see you. I’m so glad you came with Pam. I saw you both from the window and wondered if you were ever going to get out of the car.”

Jim gave a nervous laugh, “Hello Mrs. Beesly.”

Pam’s mother pulled him into a tight hug. “Oh Jim, stop the Mrs. Stuff. I’m Joanna.”

Jim blushed slightly and the smile widened. Pam went to him and grabbed his hand. She pulled him towards the front of the house.

“Where’s Dad?” Pam asked her mom.

“He’s out back cleaning his rifle collection.” Joanna said and gave a side way’s glance at Jim. Jim’s eyes widen a little. Joanna laughed and slapped him on the back. “He’s in front of the television watching basketball.”

They went into the living room. It was tastefully decorated with dark stained woods and dark green fabrics. There was a large photo of a little girl on one wall. The small shy smile and pulled back hair on the little girl could only belong to Pam. She had been so cute. He catalogued it in his head for further teasing of Pam.

Her father sat in a forest green recliner watching a game. He gave a wide grin and got out of the chair to give Pam a big bear hug. He looked at Jim and smiled. He was of average height and weight. He had light brown hair with sprinkled of gray. His face bore several laugh lined and crystal blue eyes.

“Dad, this is Jim Halpert.” Pam said, “Jim, this is my dad Bob Beesly.”

It took all of Jim’s power not to nervously laugh out loud at the fact that Pam’s father was called Bob Beesly. He had heard his name was Robert. Bob reached out and shook Jim’s hand and Jim returned the grip strongly. His own father had always told him you could tell a man by his grip. A weak handshake meant a weak man.

“Jim Halpert?” Bob said and he looked closely at Jim as they wrapped up their handshake. “Now there’s a name I have heard a few times over the last 3 years. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

Jim returned the greeting. Pam’s mom asked Jim to sit down and make himself comfortable. Jim sat on the sofa. Bob Beesly sat back in his recliner. Pam sat beside Jim and held his hand. Jim plastered a relaxed look on his face and gave Pam’s hand a slight squeeze. Joanna excused herself for a moment and left the room.

“You like basketball Jim?” Bob asked.

“Oh yes, I’m a Philadelphia 76ers fan.” Jim replied.

“You will have to leave now. Don’t allow those in our house.” Bob deadpanned and Jim gave a small laugh. Pam’s mother came out of the kitchen and asked Pam to help her with something. Pam got up and left the room. Jim sat nervously looking at the game. Bob turned towards him and gave him an inquiring look.

“So, you’re the one who broke up Pam and Roy?” He said plainly.

“Uh…I don’t know what…” Jim gulped and wished the floor would swallow him now.

Bob smiled, “Don’t worry. I’m just busting your balls. It’s my job. I knew you had something to do with it. But I’m glad. I put up with Roy for Pam’s sake. I always thought he was a bit of a bully. More brawn than brains type. Pam’s mom and I never thought he made Pam happy. But if we told her that, she probably would have already been married and had kids with him. Kids don’t listen to their parents”

Jim gave a sideways grin and looked down for a second. “Yes, I knew he didn’t make her happy. It was hard to watch.”

“But it took you three years to step up?” Bob asked.

“You have seen the size of that guy?” Jim joked.

“See, now that’s more like it! More brains than brawn. That’s a good thing. I don’t want stupid grandchildren.” Bob laughed.

“No, actually I would have done something earlier and I tried. But she seemed determined to marry him.” Jim replied.

“Pam is not the most self aware person at times.” Bob said, “She has too much heart.”

“That…is what is so great about her.” Jim said softly.

“So this is supposed to be where I ask you what your intentions are with my darling daughter.” Bob said and he looked at Jim inquisitively.

“Oh,” Jim grinned and looked nervous. But, he stated determinedly, “I’m going to marry her some day.”

“About time!” Bob guffawed and reached over and slapped Jim’s knee. “It took you long enough. By your pace, I guess I can expect grandchildren in about 20 years or so?”

Jim laughed and blushed slightly. He sat back a little more relaxed, but wondering what else would be thrown his way. He hoped he could keep pace with Bob’s interrogation. Bob slowed down the barrage of inquisition as soon as Pam returned. He asked Pam about how her classes were doing. She and Jim settled back on sofa and all talk melted into a friendly conversation.
Her mother came into the room and told them that a late lunch was ready. They went out to the back of the house and an outdoor area was set up with sandwiches and potato salad. Pam retrieved a few cans a grape soda from the kitchen. Jim saw that Bob and Joanna were drinking iced tea. He realized with slight shock that Pam must have told them his favorite drink. He also realized that Pam must have let them know he was coming with her at some point because someone had bought the grape soda ahead of time. For the first time, Jim began to relax and he comprehended that he was very welcome in this house.

They spent some time with Pam’s folks and then Pam excused them in order to show Jim the rest of the house. She took him to a small room on the second floor. One side had a large wooden roll top desk and computer. On the other side were many boxes and white furniture. There was a small shelf of dolls on the storage side. Pam closed the door lightly and then she pushed Jim up against the door and kissed him. He felt himself harden as she ran her tongue lightly in his mouth. She grinded up against him. Jim breathlessly and hesitantly pushed her back.

“Pam, this is most definitely not the place!” He whispered harshly, worried that his erection would not go down in time to see her parents again.

“This was my bedroom.” She teased wickedly and she bit his ear. “I just wanted to show you it.”

“If you don’t stop that I’ll be showing something a little more inappropriate to your parents.” Jim moaned.

Pam looked down and saw the bulge in Jim’s pants. “Oh boy! Daddy wouldn’t like that.” She laughed.

“You think?” Jim said, and he put a little distance between them. “You are so gonna get it when we leave. They knew I was coming here with you! You had to of called them at some point in our trip. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t want to make you nervous. What tipped you off?” She said, worried that maybe he was angry. Jim smiled softly and he kissed the tip of her nose.

“Who else drinks grape soda in your house?” Jim asked and he held her hand. She looked up at him and blushed. “Mom asked what you like to drink. I think she thought some kind of beer. She was pretty surprised when I said grape soda.”

“Wonderful, now your dad thinks I’m a grape soda drinking Wuss, instead of a macho beer drinker.” Jim rolled his eyes and laughed. “You are so gonna pay for this when I get you home.”

“I’m counting on that.” Pam teased and she reached down and stroked his erection through the denim material. Jim jerked back.

“Stop that Wench!” Jim insisted, “Come on, or I will tickle you until you wet your pants.”

Pam removed her hand quickly, knowing he was a man of his word. “I’m wearing khaki, which would really show.” She laughed out loud and Jim turned and pushed her towards the door. He gave her bottom a little slap.

“Now, be a good girl and I am going to go in the bathroom and splash some cold water on…something.” Jim said insistent. Pam directed him towards the bathroom.

It was 5:30 before Jim and Pam walked to their car to head home. The long drive home would be nice, but the fact that they had to go to work the next day cast a small shadow over their minds. Pam’s parents waved goodbye to them as they left.

“You know, this Jim is the man that she’s going to marry?” Joanna said.

“Glad to know it. He’s a good guy.” Bob added.

“Yeah, she really glows around him. He seems much better than Roy.” Joanna replied.

“Definitely smarter.” Bob said, “Better stock up on the grape soda.” Joanna laughed and they went back inside.