When they entered the foyer mother was waiting and ushered them into the lounge and sat down. “Mom this is Julie.” Mother reached out her hand, “I’ve heard so much about you, and all good, I may add.” “That’s reassuring.” replied Julie. “I’m looking forward to getting to know you.” “The pleasure will be all mine.” smiled Julie. The conversation quickly turned to their studies at the university. Then mother left to supervise dinner.
Everyone was seated at the dinner table, the father, mother, their three sons and Julie. The father and mother anxious to know as much as possible about Julie and her family. “I believe there’s an evening of chamber music later on, I’m really looking forward to that.” said Julie. “O, do you like chamber music?” asked mother. “On the contrary, I’ve never been exposed to it.” “O, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.” The dinner was ravishing and so was the conversation. The father took a shine to Julie, here was the little girl he never had.
At eight o’clock everyone retired to the music room. Members of the Oxford quartet joined the mother and Harold to make up the chamber ensemble. Mother was the concertmaster and Harold was on cello. They began the evening with music by Scarlatti then followed with works by Brahms and concluded with Schubert. Julie sat glued to her seat mesmerized my it all. At the end there was a bar for drinks. Harold took Julie and introduced her to the various quartet members. What a beautiful evening. When Harold and Julie were contemplating leaving, mother came over and asked, “Why don’t Julie and you stay the night and leave tomorrow?” Both were speechless for a moment, then Harold turned to Julie “Would you like that?” “Yes, that would be wonderful.”
At breakfast next morning, mother ever aware of her son’s feelings for Julie turned and ask, “Julie, we are having a dance on the yacht this coming Saturday, would you like to join us?” Harold was beside himself with joy, realizing Julie had made a favorable impression on his family. “Yes, that’s very gracious of you, I’d love to accept.” said Julie. Harold could see his dad was really taken with Julie, what a relieve.
Back at Julie’s place she confided in Harold, “I never thought it would come to this, this has taken on a life of its own.” “I’m sure you must have some idea of my feelings towards you.? cried Harold. “Yes, I do, but I never thought it would happen so fast.” “So, how do you feel.” “I’m honored. As I told you the relationship between Albert and myself could never work, my life now is in Nova Scotia. Harold, I want you to do something for me, go home and search your heart and if you want to make a life with me, I’ll tell Albert it’s over between us.” Eventually Harold gave Julie a kiss and left. That night Julie lay in bed and cogitated the turn her life had taken, who’d have ever thought.
That week when they met in class it was a whole different encounter, as they both knew they were in a serious relationship, things had changed. Most afternoons found both of them in the university’s library doing research, Julie’s love for academics was without equal. On Monday night mom phoned, “So how’s your romance coming along?” “Just great mom, we had a serious talk when we got back to Julie’s place on Sunday night. Julie’s going to break it off with Albert, it would never have worked, Albert in PEI and Julie teaching at Dalhousie. So we are now in a serious relationship.” “I’m so glad to hear that, everybody just loves Julie and she has a brilliant mind, you’re so lucky.” “Mom, I think dad has a crush on Julie.” “You’re probably right son” “So, how are your studies coming along.” “Just great, having Julie here is a real asset.” “Well, I better let you go, I’ll see you both Saturday night, god bless, bye.”
