Part XLI: 

 A Genuine Proverbs 31 Woman

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

~Proverbs 31:30-31

     At the sound of the doorbell Reuben made his way to the door and looked through the peephole. At seeing Alex's face he opened the door wide and exclaimed with surprise, “You're early!" while motioning for them to come in.  

     “Just a bit.  I hope it’s not a problem.”

     “No problem at all," Reuben reassured him before yelling for his wife, "Maria, we have company!"

     Maria came out of the kitchen wearing an apron, “What did you say?!  You know I can’t hear anything when I’m in the kitchen!”

     Reuben then pointed to their guests.

     “Alex!” came her delighted reply.  After wiping her hands on her apron she then walked over to them and greeted Alex with a kiss on the cheek.

     He gave her a warm hug, then turning to Sarah made the introductions.  "Maria, this is Sarah.  Sarah, Reuben’s wife Maria.”

     “It’s so nice to meet you,” Sarah said with a warm smile.

     Maria then planted a kiss on her cheek too.  “Look how pretty you are!  Reuben, you didn't tell me she was so pretty.  I'm so happy to have you over.  Any friend of Alex is family.  Reuben, take them to the living room to settle in while I get us some refreshments.”

     “Can I help?” Sarah offered.

     “Don’t be silly, you’re our guest. You and Alex go with Reuben while I finish up in the kitchen."

     “Come,” Reuben led them to the living room while Maria made her way back into the kitchen.  “This is Maria's department and we would do well to just stay out of her way.  Isn't that right Alex?”

     “Oh yes.” Alex couldn't help but smile at the exchange with Maria.  She was gushing like a river that had just burst forth from the dam that was containing it.  This was her thing and she did it well.  Maria was an extraordinary hostess.

     Alex and Sarah sat on the sofa while Reuben grabbed the recliner across from them. The television was on a basketball game and Reuben reached for the remote to lower the volume.

     “Who’s winning?” Alex inquired with interest.

     "Miami up by seven," Reuben shot back.  He then turned to Sarah intending to make Alex sweat.

     "So Sarah, we didn't get to know much about you at the game.  People get so loud at those things it's hard to talk more personal..."

     Alex let out a roar. "Reuben, what are you talking about?" he asked in disbelief.  "You were the loudest one there." Even saying it, Alex had a good hunch that Reuben knew that.

     In turn, Reuben gave him one of his feigned "I don't know what you are talking about" looks before turning his attention back to Sarah.   

     “Sarah, Alex tells me you're not from here.” 

     "No, I don’t live too far though.  Do you know where Hidden Springs is?" 

     “Isn’t that off of Montgomery Street?”

     “Yes it is, just pass the fire station on the right.”

     “I believe I do know it.  Isn’t that the place with the backside lake that has that huge gazebo they hold wedding ceremonies at?”

     Alex eyes grew wide and he shot his friend a look that said he had better behave.  Reuben ignored him.

     “Yes, that’s right.  It’s a quiet community.  I’ve been there for five years now.”

     Reuben then leaned in and was about to say more when Maria came in with the refreshments.  Alex gave a sigh of relief that didn’t go unnoticed by Reuben.

     “Reuben, why is the television on?” Maria chided as she put down the tray of drinks and sat next to Sarah,  “We have guests.”  She then turned to Sarah, “Excuse my husband.”

     “Alex asked for the score,” Reuben whined like a child while wearing another one of his feigned innocent looks, and although he had addressed his wife he was looking at Alex.  He then reached for the remote again to turn the television off.

    Meanwhile, Alex returned his look with one that said, 'If God doesn't get you, I will.'

     Maria's words broke into their silent exchange.  “Well if Alex is watching the game leave it alone.  I just wanted to make sure you weren’t ignoring our guests.”  She then turned to Sarah again, “When he’s watching them sports its like the world around him doesn’t exist.”

     Sarah smiled and gave her an understanding nod.

     Just then Danny walked into the room rubbing his eyes. “Mommy, I can’t sleep,” he whined, then catching sight of Alex he gave a squeal of excitement and crawled on his lap.

     Alex greeted him with a hug, “Hi Danny.  My, did you grow some more? Pretty soon you’ll be a man.”

     The boy giggled at that and then grew still and quiet as he fixed his eyes on Sarah.

     Sarah gave him a warm smile, “Hello Danny.”

     Danny shyly buried his face in Alex's chest before looking up at him quizzically.

     “Danny, this is my friend Sarah.”

     He then peeked at her through his fingers that were now covering his face.

     “What do you say Danillo?” Maria asked.

    “I like to meet you," came the boy's shy reply.

     They all laughed at his cute version of, "Nice to meet you."  Danny looked around at them not understanding why they had laughed.  Nonetheless, he was tickled pink by their response and broke out giggling.   

     “Oh, he’s adorable,” Sarah commented with delight. Like many children do, he had stolen the spotlight and won their hearts with his extraordinary capacity to find joy in the simple pleasures in life.  “You have two children then?” 

     “Nooo,” came Reuben’s drawn out reply, "We have three more like them, although Maria shipped them off to her cousin’s for the night. This is our youngest.”

     Danny then held up three fingers as he eagerly informed her, “I’m three.”

     Sarah couldn’t help but flash him a huge smile. “Wow, three, you're a big boy.”

     He giggled again then climbed off of Alex's lap and stood in front of her. “Do you want to see my room?” he asked with big, brown eyes that opened wide.

     Before she could respond Maria called after the boy, “Danillo, not tonight ok. Besides, you are supposed to be sleeping.”

     “Ok mommy,” came the boy’s defeated reply.  He then asked Sarah, “Can you take me to my room?”

     Reuben laughed at his little boy's unabashed request,  "The boy has no shame.  I don't know where he gets it from."

     “Danillooo,” Maria chided and was about to take him, but Alex had already scooped the boy up in his arms.

     “Maria, you’ve done enough for tonight.  I’ll put him to bed.” he told her over Danny's squeal of delight.

     “I’ll help him,” Reuben quickly offered.

     When they were in Danny’s room Reuben poked him on the shoulder before declaring, “Whipped.”

     Alex glared at his friend, “And you had better behave.  We had a deal remember?”

     “No Alex.  I said I would tell Maria to behave.  I never said anything about me."

     "That's just plain wrong Reuben," Alex rebuked while shaking his head.

     "I'm just messing with you bro.  Besides, this is my best behavior.  You know I can’t get away with much around Maria.”

     “True,” Alex agreed, it then suddenly dawned on him that they had left Sarah alone with Maria. “Oh God, Maria…” his brows forrowed with worry.  

     “Alex, relax man.  I did talk to Maria and she promised to be on her best behavior too. Contrary to appearances, I still do where the pants in the house.”

     At that Alex relaxed some, then as an afterthought continued, “I dare you to speak like that around Maria, she’ll smack you upside the head.”

     Reuben laughed, "True."  He then took his son from Alex's arms and put him to bed.  

     They then made there way back to the living room to find Sarah and Maria engaged in a conversation about dinner.

     "Alex, I was just telling Sarah that for the main dish I made Paella.  I only make it on special ocassions.  You've had my Paella before, haven't you?"

     "Oh yes," he said dreamily, then turning to Sarah he exclaimed, "It's a fantastic dish of yellow rice loaded with seafood!"

     Sarah grinned at his sheer enthusiasm. "He gets so excited at just the idea of a good meal."

     Maria gave him an approving smile before turning back to Sarah.  "Like here, in my native country we also say the way to the heart of a man is through his stomach.  I don't think that's all for real but it sure helps.  Do you cook?"

     Sarah squirmed uncomfortably at the question.  For a brief moment she thought of lying.  Alex spoke so highly of Maria, and Sarah had been somewhat nervous at the idea of meeting her.  She seemed like the ideal wife and mother, a real Proverbs 31 woman, everything Sarah felt she lacked.  Nonetheless, Sarah resisted the temptation and told the truth. 

     "I used to but not much anymore.  I live alone and it just seems pointless at times to cook, especially considering how much I would spend on ingredients when I could just buy something to eat alot cheaper...but I love a home cooked meal and I've really wanted to start cooking more often again."

     Maria's hi fi antenna, as Reuben referred to it, was on optimal reception tonight and she didn't miss the abashed coloring in Sarah's words, along with the slight coloring on her cheeks.  Her protective mothering instincts kicked in and reassuringly tapping Sarah on her lap she said, "Well, with a face and figure like that who needs to cook...but if you want I can teach you...I love to cook."

     Sarah blushed.  Alex fought to fight his laughter.  Reuben beamed with pride over his wife's nuturing ways.

     In their culture both men and women unashamedly appreciated the human body and spoke openly about it.  Maria went on. 

     "I used to have a figure like that," then looking at her husband for confirmation she asked, "Right Reuben?"  Before he could answer she had turned back to Sarah, "But after five children it's not the same."

     "Maria, you're more beautiful today than ever," Reuben stated heartily.

     "I'll second that," Alex pitched in.

     Maria smiled at her husband in approval before saying to Sarah, "He's such a smooth talker."

Part XLII:  Letting the Cat out of the Bag