Meet the Parents

October 21, 1978, Sunday, New Paltz, NY

In front of Kai was a plate of overcooked pork chops with gravy, mashed potatoes, and boiled carrots. It was Mrs. Walsh’s “go-to” dinner when cooking for guests. Although she had raised and cooked for a family of seven, Betty Crocker's basics were about as far as she got.

As a working mom, she didn’t always get home to prepare dinner. She’d leave something with instructions for the oldest to prepare. One such meal was a recipe from Parade magazine, with hot dog slices mixed with a can of fruit cocktail and heated like soup. Her kids never let her live down that yummy dinner!

“More gravy Kai?” asked Conor’s dad, knowing from experience how it could help his wife’s cooking.

“No thanks, Mr. Walsh,” Kai replied. “Thank you for inviting me and cooking this nice meal Mrs. Walsh. You didn’t have to go to all this trouble.”

Kai and Conor were seated side by side across the dining table from Conor’s parents. There were bookcases jammed with all sizes of books along the back wall of the dining room, with a built-in doorway through the shelving that led into the living room. A large bay window dominated the opposite wall with a view west to Mohonk’s Sky Top off in the distance. It was a modest room with a lived-in feel. Kai was familiar with it, having spent several afternoons and evenings making out with Conor when his parents weren’t home.

Conor had shared with them how quickly things had progressed with Kai and how much she meant to him. Both his parents had taught and coached in high schools and had seen couples married right after graduation. They knew better than to scoff at a high school relationship as youthful puppy love. Besides, Kai was a delightful, confident girl and Conor was enamored with her.

“Conor tells us you spent last summer in Paris,” Mrs. Walsh said. “It must have been quite a trip?”

“It was. My mom is getting her sociology degree at the Sorbonne, and I was able to stay with her. She had to work most days, and I was free to explore the city. I love the culture. The French look at life differently than we do. They seem to take more time to enjoy the little things that we take for granted,” Kai explained.

“Sounds like your mom’s sociology studies may be rubbing off on you Kai,” Mr. Walsh interjected.

“Did you speak French before you went, I’ve read that Parisians are particular about that?” Mrs. Walsh asked.

“That’s true, still not everyone is born there and those who’ve moved from the French countryside are a bit more forgiving. I took French classes at New Paltz High, and the basics helped. It took a few weeks to get my footing, and by the end of the summer I was able to get around without any trouble.” Kai said.

“Is your mom going to come back to the States after she finishes her studies?” Mrs. Walsh asked.

“O.K. guys, this isn’t twenty questions, let the poor girl eat her dinner,” Conor interrupted.

“Gosh no, it’s O.K. Conor, I love talking about Paris and my mom. I doubt she’ll be back anytime soon. She’s taking grad courses now and working as a secretary at the Japanese embassy. She plans to stay in Paris as long as she can on a student visa. Grad School and working toward a Ph.D. for the next several years is probably in her future,” Kai said with a smile.

“Speaking of college, I spoke with the coach up at Ithaca this afternoon, Conor. He liked the letter you sent him and said when we go for a campus visit to line up a meeting with him.” Conor’s dad said taking a cue from Conor to move the conversation and give Kai a break.

Conor and Kai had shared their ideas about college. Kai knew he had his heart set on trying to get into Ithaca College. They had one of the best Film and TV schools in the country and less than 5% were accepted.

Both his dad and his older brother graduated from Ithaca. His brother was the first graduating class from the TV program and was currently an anchor man in Richmond, VA. These connections increased his chances, but still, there was no guarantee. Being the ex-grad, his dad had taken the initiative and promised Conor he’d take him there in the fall. As head coach of the local college basketball team, it would be impossible for him to make the trip once his season got underway.

“Uh, that’s great dad. When do you think we could go up there?” Conor asked.

“I was thinking early November, after your soccer season ends and right before my mine begins,” his dad replied.

Conor turned to Kai and asked, “Will that work for you?”

There was a pause as his parents had a puzzled look about Conor’s question to Kai.

“Uh, Conor, you first might want to talk to your parents about that, don’t you think?” Kai asked as her face turned pink with embarrassment.

Coming to her rescue, Conor’s mom said, “Kai, it’s O.K. Since a little boy, he’s always been thinking several steps ahead of where the rest of us have landed. It has a name, the ‘Conor Surprise,’ it may be still new to you, but you’ll get used to it.”

“Thanks, Mom, thanks for sharing that…”

“I could think of a hundred worse things, like singing show tunes at the top of your lungs,” his mom joked.

“…and in the morning with a hair dryer, it’s scary Kai, very scary,” Mr. Walsh teased.

“O.K., O.K., that’s enough you two.”

Kai saw where Conor’s openness and unfiltered approach came from. She figured they’d appreciate her not waiting for Conor to explain.

“When Conor mentioned his interest in Ithaca, I told him one of the schools I applied to was Cornell. I think you can guess what the Conor Surprise would be,” Kai said.

“It makes perfect sense, don’t you think? Why wouldn’t we take Kai with us to Ithaca to visit Cornell?” Conor asked.

“It’s one of five that I’m thinking about, and I’m not sure they’d even accept me,” Kai said.

“If your parents are fine with it, we’d love to have you make the trip?”

“It’s settled then, the more the merrier!” Conor’s dad replied.

∞

Kai’s visit with Conor’s parents made her think of her Mom, and as soon as she got home she pulled out her favorite stationery and began filling her in on the recent events…

11 Rue Lobineau

Paris, France

Dear Mom,

You must think I’m the worst daughter in the world to write so sparingly. In my last letter, I was starting school, and now more than a month has gone by and I’m only just writing to you. No excuse, yet to say things have been hectic is an understatement.

It was quite a culture shock transitioning from my stay with you back into high school. Your encouragement to be more independent and believe in myself has made a huge difference. I honestly believe my summer with you was a life-changing experience. I feel like I’ve left the little girl behind (well physically for sure) and have grown into an adult woman. I can’t thank you enough.

Coming back to New Paltz, my plan was to fast forward through my last year of high school and focus on visiting you next summer and beyond in the future. Most importantly, the present has intervened in a miraculous way, and I have some fantastic news.

Mom, I’ve fallen deeply in love.

Never looked for or expected it, yet the “new” me was noticed on my first day of preseason volleyball. It was someone I’d gone to school with for years and never thought he’d be interested. Come to find out, last summer he also grew quite a bit. He worked as a counselor in a sleepaway camp where his workmates were college kids from England, and he matured a lot.

His name is Conor Walsh. After a few weeks of shy flirting with each other, we got together and haven’t been apart since. He’s as crazy about me as I’m mad about him. First to know, he is gorgeous. He’s the school’s star soccer player and has an incredibly fit body (amazing stamina if you get my drift)! Next, he is deeply interested in everything about me and goes out of his way to surprise me with little things and fun experiences.

Mom, he’s kind, considerate, and curious about everything. He’s really smart and reads like one hundred books a year - for fun - and is a nut about history. He reads the NY Times keeping up with current events and tells me he wants to be a filmmaker someday.

He and his dad are taking me with them to visit Ithaca. Conor is interested in Ithaca College and they’re going to help me tour Cornell. I know, it’s not the top school on my list, still it’s creeping up there (especially if Conor is across town). The thing is Mom, what I have with Conor feels way more than a high school romance. It seems like a forever type of love. It’s hard to explain in a letter, but when we’re not together I have an ache deep inside. It’s like our souls are connected in some mystical way.

I’m not a total goner and realize it is high school. My friend Kate does her best to keep my feet on the ground, reminding me that things may look different in a few months. I love her dearly, but she tends to be overly protective of me. I guess that’s a good thing since no one else is besides Conor.

Dad has been MIA and spends all his time either at work or with his girlfriend. He makes sure there’s food in the house and that’s about it. I assure you; I’m not complaining one bit and I like the fact that I’m on my own. The room they gave me in the basement has a walk-out slider and I come and go without any interaction with him (a particularly GOOD thing). It also gives Conor and I all the privacy we need. As I’m sure you’re wondering, we sleep together (as in sex), every chance we get! Don’t worry, I’m on The Pill.

Other than all of the above, classes are pretty easy (even calculus), I was chosen Volleyball Queen at Homecoming, Conor was Soccer King, and the dance was fun. He’s taken me on hikes all through Mohonk and Minnewaska, and we even went into a cave (never again!).

You have my phone number, call if you can sometimes, I’d love to hear your voice, and please write! Do you think if he can swing it, Conor could come on my next visit to see you? I’d love for you to meet him and show him Paris. Just a thought…

I haven’t asked much about you and hope all is going great. Write back to me and tell me everything you’re doing, and how things are going with Rick (is he still in the picture?).

I love you, Mom,

Kai