In-Law Watch: Day 5

So far, so good.

They even waited up last night to greet me upon my return from work at 10 PM. They say, "How was work?" I say, "Fine." I used to tell then funny stories about things that happened at work, but that is too much information for them. I see now, that telling them how my colleague Rebecca picked me up in a move straight out of a Lucha Libre match would not amuse them. Then, it's time for the Good-Night Ceremony. Major pomp and circumstance which (for benefit of anthropologists everywhere), I will here describe.

Peggy and Terry sit on the sofa, staring straight ahead. Terry says, "Well, I think I'll make a move, now." Peggy says, "Yes, I was just thinking...". Both stand together. They always ask if they could just "nip a glass of water", to which I respond in the affirmative. They exit the family room and each say, "Good night. Well, I'll just have a wash and get ready for bed, and then I'll wish you a proper good night." One at a time, in robe and slippers, despite the heat, they perform their ablutions, then appear once more in the family room to say, "Well, then. I'll bid you good night. Good night." By this time, I feel like a complete moron, having said two informal "good nights" and four formal "good nights". Strange as it is, this is what is required.

I really don't think this is because they're British, although the fact that they do these stodgy things with heavy Suffolk accents (and, in my mother-in-law's case, a wet lateral lisp) makes it so....Monty Python. I know lots of British people who can go to bed at night without a presentation equivalent to the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.

While Simon and I are at work during the day, they still seem happy to sit at home and "potter" (search through our stuff). As I mentioned in an earlier entry, I removed and hid any objects which might cause parental consternation. I do wonder what they will think when they encounter my entirely EMPTY nightstand drawer.