All in the Family

Maggie gazed out the car window and watched as cornfield after cornfield whizzed by them. She looked over at Sam, who was busy whistling and drumming the steering wheel in that incessant, repetitive way that always drove her nuts, yet made her love him even more.

So this is Iowa, Maggie thought, as the Toyota's tires pitched back and forth along the narrow gravel road. Of course, she had lived in Iowa for over two years now. But the bustling campus in Iowa City where she had recently completed her M.F.A. in creative writing was a far cry from the sights and smells she had experienced this morning, traveling to spend Thanksgiving with Sam's family. Soon-to-be-her family.

He eased off the accelerator and turned onto a dirt driveway that wound its way up to a large, slightly sagging, white farmhouse."They're going to love you, pumpkin". He pinched her nose playfully and grinned that goofy grin of his. Maggie reciprocated with what she hoped was a reassuring smile.

They climbed out of the car, and a round, ruddy female face stuck itself out the front doorway, instantly brightening with recognition. "They're here!" the face boomed. A swarm of Sam look-alikes suddenly appeared out of nowhere and surrounded her. Tugging her, hugging her, slapping her on the back.

"Maggie, meet my family".