Chapter nine

Jon had planned to have a nice quite weekend. Just the five of them playing games and doing normal stuff at home to get to know each other better.

He really wanted to give Kris the chance to get used to the rest of the family. The next weeks would be stressful enough for her with a new school and all the other things that would come along with that. She should be able to at least relax here at home and not worry about what would happen when she came through the door.

But he forgot his parents, well especially his mother.

“Jon, honey…I’m so glad you guys are home. I’m so excited. Where is she?” Carol said while hugging a surprised Jon after he opened that door.

“Uhm, mom…” But Carol was already on her way to the kitchen.

“I tried to tell her it’s too early. That we should wait till you asked us to come over, but she didn’t listen to me….as always. I’m sorry son.” John gave his son a brief hug and an apologetic look.

“It’s ok dad, I know no one can stop her. But I really think we’ll have a problem here in a few minutes.” His father looked at him a bit confused.

“Kris has been through a lot dad and she’s not used to have people around her who care … or hug and kiss.” He added after a small break.

“Oh, shit…dammit” John cursed. “CAROL!” he yelled and tried to caught up to his wife.

Jon was right behind him, maybe they could make her leave again. Even though he didn’t really believe that.

Fortunately Kris was upstairs changing from pyjamas to normal cloth and no longer sitting at the breakfast table with Dot. He could count on his wife that she wouldn’t let his mother upstairs, Dot hated it when Carol was going from one bedroom to another and checking on her.

When the two men entered the kitchen Dot was already trying to tell Carol that their visit was way to early that it would too much for Kris.

“Oh, Dot dear…we’re her grandparents, she’ll love us. We will never be too much for her.” Carol told her and patted her left cheek.

Dot glanced at Jon. Her eyes were showing her anger. She was close to explode. When would Carol stop acting like she was still the 16 year old girl that Jon brought home with? She wanted to scream.

Jon and his father also failed in telling her that it just wasn’t the right at this point. Dot sighed deeply and left the kitchen.

“Uhm, Dot.” Jon followed her and put his hand on her right shoulder. “What are you doing?”

“If you think that I let this poor girl meet your mother without any warning or preparation, you are nuts!”

Jon wanted to say something, but Dot continued. “…AND if you don’t make sure that they are gone again in one hour…and I mean ONE hour and stand up for Kris as soon as your mother starts venting against her….and we all know she will…I swear to God, Jon…you will be sleeping in the guestroom till next year!” Angry she turned around and walked upstairs.

Jon sighed. Fuck, dammit! Quite weekend, that’s all he wanted. A quite weekend. “Mom, Dad why don’t we go into the living room.” Jon asked beaten.

On her way upstairs Dot tried to get her anger under control. She knocked at Kris’ door.

“Kris? Can I come in?” she asked.

“Yes.” she heard the muffled reply through the door.

Kris was sitting on the couch, looking through her note sheets.

“We need to talk about something, Kris.” Dot said and sat down across from her.

“Is something wrong?” the girl asked worried.

“Well, not really wrong…uhm, Jon’s parents…your grandparents are here.” Dot said.

“Oh.” Kris eyes narrowed a bit. Was she angry? Dot wondered.

“We didn’t know they were coming over today. Actually we thought it would be too early for that. You just arrived two days ago, but they are anxious to get to know you.” Dot continued.

“I see.” Kris answered.

“Uhm...there’s one thing you should probably know…uhm.” Dot couldn’t believe it, she was stumbling here. Kris watched her carefully.

“Jon’s mother, your grandmother…Carol’s her name…she’s well not easy to handle.” Kris looked confused.

“She has the tendency to…not listen to other people, to do what she thinks is right…sometimes ignore the feelings of her fellow man completely…and she loves to hug and kiss…and she’s …uhm…just…”

“…a bit too much.” Kris offered.

“Yeah, thanks.” Dot took a deep breath.

“You don’t like her very much.” Kris said. Not a question a statement.

“Well, she is a great grandmother for Steph and Jesse, she spoils them, but when we met I was sixteen and she still has the feeling she has to patronize me…and often your dad. I tolerate most of it, because I don’t want a fight each time we meet.” Dot explained. Kris just nodded.

“Do I have to do that too?” She asked.

“NO! If she does something you don’t want...tell her, Kris. That’s something I should have done too, but now it’s too late for that.” Dot advised her.

“What about my…Jon’s father?” Oh, that won’t be easy, Dot thought.

“His name is John. He’s a real sweetheart. I’m sure you will like him. He’s much calmer than Carol, tries to control her moods as good as possible. He will respect it, if you tell him that you need a break, that’s too much for today.” Kris could see that Dot really liked her father-in-law.

“Well, ok…let’s go.” Kris said. The faster I get downstairs, the faster they are gone again.

After a short check on Steph and Jesse, who were playing in their game room and would stay there for the next few minutes, who know what would happen when Kris and Carol meet, Dot and Kris walked downstairs.

“Ready?” Dot whispered before they reached the living room.

Kris nodded.

“Oh, there she is…what a beautiful young lady…she looks exactly like you Johnny.” Carol shouted out in delight as soon as Dot and Kris entered the room.

Kris eyes just grew wide in shock.

Even though Dot told her that Carol could be just too much sometimes….this was…this was…she didn’t even find a word for it…and Johnny?

She looked over to Jon, he watched her carefully, looking for any signs of fear…and the same thing was the older man doing, who was sitting on the couch next to Jon…must be his father. Dot was right, he seemed to be nice.

“Oh, come here darling.” Kris was shocked Carol was walking towards her with her arms wide open like she wanted to hug the whole world. Quickly she took two steps back.

“Oh, you don’t have to be shy...I’m your grandmother.” Carol said smiling.

Kris right eyebrow rose. It’s now or never, she thought.

“I’m not shy! I just don’t hug strangers the first moment I see them. If YOU are fine with it...well, that’s your thing….but I AM not fine with it. And I would really appreciate it, if you would NOT hug me…” she said in a strict tone.

Dot had to hide her smile. Definitely a Bongiovi…that could be really funny now.

Kris crossed the room and tried to get as much distance as possible between that woman and herself. She glanced at Jon and hoped he wouldn’t be angry or something, but he just winked at her.

“But…but…I’m your grandmother.” Carol stuttered indignantly.

“For me you are a stranger. Or did I meet you in the last couple years?” Kris replied dryly.

“You didn’t even tell me your name!” She added.

“My name is Carol!” her voice was no longer on a normal level.

“Johnny, how can you let your daughter talk like that with ME?” Her voice was shrill now.

Kris covered her sensitive ears, even the glasses in the bar were ringing. Ouch!

Jon stood up slowly. Eyeing his mother with clenched teeth. Dot could see how angry he was.

“I let her talk like that with you mother, because she’s right!” Carol gasped.

“Johnny...how can you dare…?” But Jon stopped her

“How can I dare? How can I dare? Who did come here without calling before? Who wanted to stay even though everyone was saying it was way too early? Who gushed over Kris like they were old friends and didn’t think about her feelings for a second? YOU MOTHER! It was YOU!” Jon was yelling now.

Carefully Dot walked over to stand between Jon and Kris. She really didn’t want to be sitting in the fire line right now. She knew that Jon let Carol push him around sometimes and always took her critizen to heart, but he always loses his temper when she is saying something against his kids.

Dot just didn’t expect him to already react so vehemently for Kris. Seemed she already stole his heart in the last two days.

Carol stared at her oldest son. “John…” She turned to her husband. “Why don’t you do something?”

John stood up slowly and nodded. He turned to Kris. She tensed…what would he do now?

Smiling he offered his hand. “It was a pleasure to meet you Kristin. I really would like to see you again in a couple weeks. Maybe you give me a call and we could go out for lunch. Your dad has my number.” Wow! Really old school…she liked it.

Kris smiled and shook his hand. “I would like that. Thanks John.”

He winked at her, then turned to Dot and gave her a brief hug and kiss on the cheek. After nodding at his son he turned to Carol and said really calmly: “I think we should go, Carol.”

Carol couldn’t believe it. “But…but John! She was as bold as brass…she.”

“It’s enough Carol!” John pushed his wife towards the door. “Bye kids.” Then they were gone.

Jon closed his eyes for a second. “I’m so sorry, Kris.”

She looked at him. It really seemed he was and the way he talked…no one ever stood up for her.

“It’s ok. I know from experience that you can’t control your own mother…” She sighed deeply. “I would appreciate a little warning when she shows up again though.” She paused briefly. “Can I play piano now?”

“Uhm...sure, sweetie!” Jon was a bit confused. He looked at Dot, but she just shrugged her shoulders.

What did Kris mean by that? Was Susan acting like that too? He couldn’t believe that. He will have to ask Kris about that as well…but later. He ran his hands through his blond hair a couple times. Dot knew what was coming.

“I’m going over to the pub for an hour or so.” Dot nodded.

“Alright, Jon….but please remember the kids want to play with their father later and don’t want a dad with headache.” She said smirking.

He smiled slightly. “I know, Dotty.” After a small kiss, he walked out into the backyard.