As Tom and his family drove home, he noticed a much different, and much better, vibe from Debbie. He asked her how she was feeling. She grabbed his hand, and told him that she couldn’t be any better. He asked her what she thought of Becky and Susan. Debbie told him that they were wonderful girls, and she totally understood why he liked them so much.

Inside, she felt guilty about judging them by the actions of others. They were tremendously sweet, and really went out of their way to make everyone feel comfortable. And it wasn’t just for show. It was genuine. By the end of the night, she felt like a big sister to them. 

Tom felt much better about how the dinner turned out. Inside, he was overjoyed that Debbie developed a connection with the girls. He was also ecstatic that Susan had taken an interest in James’s future, and how she offered to guide him in her field if that’s what he chose.

Out of the blue Debbie suggested that they get cellphones. It surprised both father and son. They never had a need for them before, and Tom didn’t think they were needed now. But Debbie explained that with him becoming more valuable to Becky, she could call him or text him with anything that she would need. And with James talking to Meg most nights, the phone was being tied up. This way, if they all had their own phones, it would make it easier for everyone.

Tom thought his wife made a lot of sense. He told her that he would go to the one store in town that still sold phones for Betas right after work. Of course, Debbie had a hidden motive. She wanted to have her own private chat line with Becky and Susan. 

Tom made a suggestion of his own, and Debbie was all ears. Since there was a good sized deck off the back door, how would she feel if they added an Alpha sized picnic table and had an Alpha sized bathroom installed. That way Becky and Susan, and Meg could visit. Debbie told him it was a wonderful idea. And he should call as soon as possible to get it done. Tom nodded.

James was in his own world thinking about visiting Meg after school when he heard her name mentioned. He asked his parents what they were discussing, and Debbie told him about their plans. James got super excited about the prospect of having Meg over to meet his parents, and being able to have dinner with her. And in a moment of unbridled enthusiasm, he offered to help build everything. Tom and Debbie looked at each other and smiled. Yes, their son was definitely in love.

After Tom and his family left, Susan helped Becky clean up. Both girls really liked Debbie, once they got to know her better. Although they were both only child’s, and they had behaved like sisters since they first met, both of them missed having an older sister to talk to when they needed advice, or share in their successes and failures. Unknown to each other, they felt that if they ever had an older sister, they hoped it would be someone like Debbie. They looked at each other and promised that they would get together with her, and soon.

Since Tom, Debbie and James all had a long day, they just headed straight to bed once they got home. James had to be up early, and then go to Meg’s house after school. He would meet her parents, not as her boyfriend, but as just a classmate. He was going to have to control himself. He didn’t want to do anything stupid that would get Meg in trouble.

So he had to remember to act uptight around her. Meg suggested that tactic, as she was hoping that it would defang her parents, especially her mom. Her plan was to have James act so nervous around her, an Alpha, that it would cause her parents to totally ignore him. It was a long shot, but the only play to make, unless she wanted to just tell them about her and James.

James woke up super excited. He followed his new routine to the letter, and had breakfast on the table, waiting for his parents to wake up. He was out the door when his parents left their bedroom. Seeing the plates of food waiting for them made them feel like the luckiest parents in the world.

James ran to the bus, then absentmindedly tried to take the steps two at a time. Even at his size, it was a mistake, as he tripped and landed face first onto the floor. The bus driver just shook her head as the riders laughed. 

Once he got to his seat next to Meg, she asked him if he was alright. He said yes. The only injury he suffered was to his pride. Next time he would remember that his new bus was almost twice the size of the old one, and the gap between steps much greater. 

But once next to Meg, they discussed their ruse. James had suggested that he reply yes ma’am to every one of her questions, but Meg felt that went overboard. As long as he acted nervous, scared, and intimidated around her, she was sure her parents would ignore him. But first things first. They had to get through the school day.

After Tom and Debbie finished the breakfast James made for them, she told her husband that she would get the cellphones. She didn’t mind. She also reminded him that she had to pick up James from Meg’s house, but she didn’t know the exact time. So if he came home and she wasn’t there, then at least he would know.

Tom arrived at work to what was quickly becoming a familiar sight. He pulled into the lot, and saw Becky waiting by her car. He got out of his truck, walked towards the giant lady. Becky said hi, and wanted to know if the dinner was ok, and did he and his family enjoy themselves. 

Tom looked up at her and told her everything was perfect. He saw the relief on her face, and then he told her honestly that she was such a beautiful, pleasant girl who was going to worry herself to death. He told her to just relax and enjoy life, and that hopefully someday she will realize that she can’t please people all the time. He also told her that she should worry about herself more, to take time for herself and enjoy treating herself once in a while. He ended by telling her to think big, and let him worry about the little things. That’s why he was there. 

Becky gave him a huge smile and thanked him for not quitting. And they walked into the office together. Tom, as usual, got coffee for the both of them, and then set about working on converting her ideas into reality. 

About 11:00am the phone on Becky’s desk rang. She answered, said yes a couple of times, then told Tom that she had to step out for a couple of minutes. He told her not to rush back. He would handle everything.

Becky returned 10 minutes later, looking both happy and petrified. Tom asked her if anything was wrong.

Becky came over to his desk, and told him that the budget department loved the proposals. But before they approve anything, the owner of the mining company, the biggest of the big bosses, would be here Friday doing a tour, and they wanted the two of them to present their ideas to him in person. 

Becky was so excited that she looked like she was about to pass out. So Tom got up and guided her back to her seat, told her to take a drink of water, and breathe in and out to calm her heart rate.

Tom was getting super excited himself, but remained calm on the outside. He looked up at Becky, and he told her congratulations! This was the opportunity that she had worked so hard to achieve. He also told her that they would do their work up until lunch. After lunch, they would practice her presentation. Tom wanted her as prepared as possible, because if something went wrong, then she was basically buried in the job she currently had. He was going to make sure Rebecca Curtiss succeeded.

Tom got back to his desk just as Becky picked up the phone and called Susan to tell her the news. Within minutes, Susan was in the office hugging both her friend and man who made it possible. She thanked Tom for all his hard work. Tom told her it was nothing. He told Susan that helping Becky gave him the most satisfaction of all his years at the mine. He was just glad that it was her, and not someone who didn’t deserve it.

Meg and James finally made it through the school day. The fact that both were looking forward to working together after school just made their whole day drag. If time was any slower, the whole planet would have stopped rotating. But they were finally on the bus.

The two went over what they discussed. It was important for James to act as a normal Beta. Meg was praying that her plan would work. If not, there would be trouble, and she wouldn’t be able to do anything to stop it.

The bus eventually stopped at Meg’s house. James could immediately see it’s immense size, but thanks to his day at Becky’s apartment, he wasn’t phased in the slightest. They walked up to the door. Meg opened it and James followed her in. 

In the living room was a face that seemed familiar to James, but he wasn’t quite sure where he encountered it. Meg introduced her sister Amanda. Suddenly, he remembered the girl on the road during the summer. Back then, he was a couple of inches taller than her. Now, he was over a foot shorter. She had grown a lot in a very short time. 

Next came the test. Meg led him into the dining room. Her mom, Michelle, was in her usual chair, with a beverage and magazine in front of her. Meg introduced James. The lady sitting eyed the Beta, looking him up and down. James told her it was a pleasure to meet her, and extended his hand.

Michelle looked at him, and took his hand. But instead of the usual handshake, she squeezed ever so subtly, causing James some pain. She could see the discomfort in his eyes, letting the feeling linger before releasing his hand. She smiled down at him, and James knew it wasn’t a smile offering friendship.

When he was sure Meg’s mom wasn’t looking, he flexed his hand. He knew that she was letting him know who the Alpha was, and who the Beta was. 

There were no chairs at the kitchen table that he could fit in, so he stood on one so he could see the table. It wasn’t long before he and Meg were making decent progress. Her mom offered drinks, which both gratefully accepted.

Michelle placed Meg‘s cup on the table, but James’s seemed just out of his reach, no matter where he was. He looked at her, and realized that she was emphasizing her point from earlier. Meg noticed it also, and took the cup from her mom and placed it in front of him. She shot her mother a look, but Michelle ignored her.

Meg and James had made enough progress on the report to stop. They would pick it up the next time they got together. James got off the chair, and walked around the table to help Meg clean up. But Michelle blocked his way, and ignored his request for her to move. James had promised Meg that he would act a certain way in order to keep the peace, but it was clear that no matter what he did, her mom would let him know his place. She was toying with him, and not in a good way. James couldn’t wait to get out of there. 

But Michelle wasn’t done. She offered him the super sized phone so he could call his mom, but held it out his reach, until he said please. Meg asked her mom to be nice to their guest, which she ignored. 

Finally Meg took the phone from her mom and offered to dial it for James. She “asked” for his number, and soon James’s mom was on her way. 

Meg had to use the bathroom, and that left James alone with her mom. Michelle bent down and looked him in the eye and told him he was nothing, an inferior Beta there to serve the superior Alpha. And that he was only there to make sure her daughter got an A on the project. In fact, if she didn’t get an A, he would be seeing her again, and she wouldn’t be in such a good mood.

James understood the implication. His blood was boiling. He had done what Meg requested and it didn’t work. This lady really was psycho. But he would never abandon Meg like the others did. He met her steel gaze with one of his own. 

It surprised Michelle. She was used to seeing fear in a Beta’s eye. It gave her pleasure. It was a near orgasmic experience watching a Beta male cower in fear in front of her, or better still, tinkle his pants in front of her. But this boy was different. To her, he laid down a challenge, which she accepted. She was going to make him run away like the others. She made it her mission.

James’s mom arrived, and he said goodbye to all, still looking at Michelle. He was in a foul mood when he got into his mom’s car. She asked him what was wrong, but all he said was nothing. But Debbie knew he was lying.

When they arrived home, Tom could see his son was a little upset. He asked him what was wrong. James said nothing was wrong. Tom said he knew something was wrong, and asked him again. James was about to repeat his answer when his mom told him to sit. James did as she asked. His mom said that he could tell them anything. They were there for him. 

James felt his eyes well up, and proceeded to explain everything that Meg had told him about her parents, especially her mom. He left nothing out. Debbie gave her son a hug. She looked concerned, but Tom had a poker face on. 

He told James to be honest, and asked him if he liked Meg? James said yes. He asked if James cared about Meg? Really cared about her? The answer was an emphatic YES. 

Tom looked his son in the eye, and told him he should follow his heart, and if his heart led to Meg, then so be it. He wasn’t to worry about her mom. He would deal with her if the need arose. He wanted his son to be happy, and it was clear that he was happiest with Meg.

He told James to be a man of honor. Be loyal. Be courageous. Don’t worry about him. He could take care of himself. He made James promise. And he gave his son a hug.