Both of them had black hair without a hint of grey, their ages only showing on their faces, and both of them looked younger than he knew they were. They didn’t look as though they’d had plastic surgery though. Not that he was an expert, but if they had had work done, he couldn’t tell. They were both standing rather stiffly, several inches apart, with small, polite smiles on their faces.

The smile on Mrs. Bianchi’s face dipped a bit when she looked down at his and Sharon’s joined hands, but only for a moment. For his part, Mr. Bianchi seemed to be studying Jake... and Jake couldn’t help but feel that the other man found him lacking.

“Hey Mom and Pops,” Sharon said, cheerfully leading Jake forward. If he hadn’t just spent an entire car ride with her and seen her anxiety first hand, he wouldn’t have guessed she was at all nervous from the way she was acting now. “What’s shaking?”

Mrs. Bianchi’s smile disappeared entirely, her lips pursing inward as if she’d just sucked on a lemon while Sharon’s father sighed, and his expression turned to one of disappointed resignation.

“Sharon,” Mrs. Bianchi said, her tone clipped. “Must you be so vulgar? I’ve told you to call me ‘Mother’ a million times.”

“Good to see you too, Mom.” The cheerfulness in Sharon’s voice wasn’t even the tiniest bit strained, but Jake had felt her fingers tighten around his slightly. He had to admit, he was a little bit confused as he and Sharon came to a halt in front of her parents.

Granted, there had been plenty of times that he’d thought Sharon was being vulgar. This was not one of them.

Sighing, Mrs. Bianchi stepped forward and Sharon let go of Jake’s hand to clasp forearms with her mom and exchange air kisses. It looked extremely uncomfortable, as if they were holding each other at arm’s length rather than hugging. Considering what a tactile person he knew Sharon to be, it made Jake feel even more ill at ease to witness.

“Sharon,” her dad said, stepping forward to give a kiss on the cheek before stepping back and resuming his study of Jake.

“Mom, Pops, this is my friend Jake,” she said, retaking Jake’s hand. Mrs. Bianchi eyed the movement with distaste, although she quickly cleared it from her expression as Jake held out his right hand to shake Mr. Bianchi’s.

“Sergeant Jake Standish,” Mr. Bianchi said, just a hint of question in his voice as he took Jake’s hand with a cool, firm grip.

“Yes, sir.” Jake hesitated for just a moment. “Honorable discharge.”

“Yes, yes,” Mr. Bianchi said, nodding his head as if confirming Jake’s words. Jake blinked as the other man continued to frown up at him. “Now you work, ah… at a remodeling company?”