The Ford Taurus station wagon’s speedometer fidgeted between 25 and 30 m.p.h. as the car bounced along the gravel country road. Its owner was asleep in the front seat on the passenger side, but her best friend was behind the wheel. She had never traveled this route before, but she had written directions and a map at her side. As the car came to a fork in the road, she veered to the right, then, as the car started up a hill, she noticed a mailbox and turned left into a rather primitive driveway.

“Mom! Jenny and Maria are here!” yelled a young teenage girl playing in the front yard. A couple of dogs barked their greeting as the car pulled to a stop in the driveway in front of the house.

“We’re here,” Maria said to Jenny, who had just woken up.

“You made it right here, didn’t you?” said Jenny. Maria and Jenny were college roommates who had become friends almost the moment they met. As this was Maria’s first trip to Jenny’s house, nobody in the family had met her or knew her secret.

Jenny got out of the car first in order to introduce her family to Maria—and vice versa. “This is my dad, Joe Philson; my mother, Maggie; my sister, Carrie (with an e); and my brothers, Jeremy (who’s learning to drive) and Gabe (who will learn next year).” Looking at Maria, she said, “This is my best friend and roommate, Maria Hortensia Felicia Ramos.”

“Call me Maria,” she said smiling.

Gabe almost fainted, Jeremy started having obscene fantasies, Carrie just stood and stared, while Maggie and Joe let out a gasp. They saw Maria’s singularly beautiful face, a mouth that framed perfect teeth, a light-blue floral-print below-knee length dress, the hem of a lacy slip, and the tip of a wooden leg.

After dinner, Maria explained to the family about her leg. “I got sideswiped by an escaped convict who was trying to elude the police.”

“William Frederick Haskins?” asked Maggie. Maria nodded as Maggie went on. “What a horrible man! He was in for murdering his girlfriend back in ’86. I wished they’d put him to death years ago.”

“Walked away from the accident without a scratch,” Maria said. “Now I walk without a leg.” Maria gave a sad smile. Realizing the somber mood that she had put her hosts in, she asked, “Would you like to take a look at my leg?” Before anyone could answer, Maria had pulled off the wooden prosthesis. “After college, I plan to save up and buy me a custom-fitted leg. It shouldn’t be too expensive. I still have my knee, though it is a bit gimpy.”

“At least it was your left leg,” Gabe said. “Does that mean you can drive without special controls?”

“Can you drive a stick?” asked Jeremy. Carrie, sitting next to him, poked him in the ribs. His mother and father just glared.

“As a matter of fact, I can,” Maria replied. “Would you like me to teach you?”

Jeremy blushed. Jenny burst out laughing. Everyone else joined in. “Gotcha, Jeremy,” said Carrie.

Maggie said, “I think it’s time for dessert. Would anyone like cake or pie? I’ve got chocolate cake, apple pie—”

“And humble pie for Jeremy!” Gabe interrupted. He turned to Maria. “Welcome to our family. Anyone who can leave Jeremy speechless belongs in our family. You’re the best!”

Home