“Matka!" Zofi exclaimed, a little scandalized.

Zofi's mom looked chagrined, but just for a moment. She looked at me expectantly.

“With all due respect, ma'am," I said politely. "I believe some things should be private. I will say that my feelings for your daughter are quite different now from when we first met. I very much like Zofi, that much is clear. I enjoy spending time with her and would like to spend a lot more time with her in the future."

"Matt," Zofi's dad spoke up again.

“Please tell us about yourself.

About your family."

"Well," I started uncertainly.

“My parents are both Lawyers, but they divorced when I was in third grade. I live alone with my mother now. I am a very good student, and I work hard. I've turned in all of my college applications now, and I'd like to study Engineering as my major."

“Ah, I am also an Engineer," Zofi's dad said proudly. "I am a computer engineer at Apple."

“Yes, Zofi told me. But I think my focus will be more on mechanical engineering."

“Which schools did you apply to?" Zofi's mom asked.

“The usual around this area: Stanford, Cal, Davis, San Jose State,

Santa Clara. Caltech, MIT as top Engineering schools. My mother went to both Cornell and Yale, and my father went to USC, so I've applied to those as well."

"Good schools," Zofi's father commented. "You think you can get in?"

“I hope so."

“And then what becomes of your relationship with Zofia if you get into

Yale or one of those?" her mom asked.

I exchanged another glance with Zofi. She had told her parents that we were casual, and would likely not have even done the ‘Meet the Parents’ thing had they not insisted so vehemently. So with that in mind, I explained, "The reality is that none of us know what the future holds.

A year from now, I could be in Connecticut, and Zofi could be here. ALL of our friends could be spreading across the country. But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the time that we have together. Zofi and I have taken our relationship one step at a time. I assure you I have the utmost respect for her and I would never push her to do anything she didn't feel comfortable with."

Zofi's parents Looked at each other. Her dad seemed pleased, while her mom looked skeptical. Her mother glanced at me, "So you have NOT had sex with her?"

“ZUZANNA!" Zofi's dad exclaimed in surprise while Zofi squealed,

“MATKA!"

I glanced at all three of them hesitantly. Zofi's dad was shaking his head. Zofi had buried her face in her right hand while still squeezing my hand with her left. And Zofi's mom still looked at me expectantly, not budging an inch.

I blinked and blushed, hoping the darkness of the interior of the car at night would cover me. And after taking a breath to steady myself, I stated evenly, "As I said: I believe some things should be private."

Zofi's mom's eyes narrowed. Zofi's dad sighed. The car went quiet, and no further questions were forthcoming. Once we got out of the car, though, Zofi pulled me aside and whispered in my ear, “We're gonna have to convince her I'm straight."