I expected my mom\u2019s 70th wedding to be modest and romantic. That changed when she took the stage and offered a weird rule for whomever got her bouquet. Stepping back, I hoped to dodge it. It somehow fell into my hands.<\/p>\n
I was in the kitchen watching my mom hurriedly walk around the table. She adjusted place cards, napkins, and spoke to herself about colors like they were everything.<\/p>\n
She shone with joy. I couldn\u2019t believe it was happening.<\/p>\n
Are you serious, Mom? At 79, you\u2019re getting married?<\/p>\n
She glanced up, smiling like I hadn\u2019t said anything odd.<\/p>\n
Please don\u2019t make that face, dear. It\u2019s the start, not the finish!\u201d<\/p>\n
She looked twentysomething again. Even her eyes gleamed with untamed fire. Even trying, you couldn\u2019t win an argument with her.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy, Mom? You\u2019re good alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho says I want solitude?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mom always did what she wanted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know your marriage ended badly and you no longer believe in love. But I haven\u2019t. Great Harold. This guy makes me chuckle. Feeling alive again.\u201d<\/p>\n
I sighed. Brave, headstrong, and fearless, she was. She was unstoppable once she decided.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo the wedding is happening?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cInvitations sent, dress chosen, food chosen.\u201d<\/p>\n
She grinned, \u201cThis is what life\u2019s about.\u201d \u201cAnd you must live it instead of avoiding it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bit my lip. She could always bring up my divorce at the worst moment.<\/p>\n
I recalled my husband\u2019s departure. Upon returning home, I spotted his suitcases at the entrance. He confessed to loving someone younger. Someone \u201cfun.\u201d<\/p>\n
After that, love seemed like a ruse to make others feel better. I spent years rebuilding. I needed nobody.<\/p>\n
My mom snapped me out of my reverie, \u201cI\u2019ve planned something fun at the wedding for my favorite girls.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou and my granddaughters.\u201d<\/p>\n
She grins. I felt horrible.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry. \u201cYou\u2019ll love it,\u201d she waved.<\/p>\n
I doubted.<\/p>\n
==========================<\/p>\n
Driving to the enormous estate for the wedding, the world reminded me I wasn\u2019t in command.<\/p>\n
My tire flattened in the wilderness. Petrol stationless. No automobiles. Bad luck, myself, and a phone without signal.<\/p>\n
A bright pickup vehicle parked next me as I exited, groaned, and prepared to phone for aid.<\/p>\n
Before realizing who it was, I rolled my eyes.<\/p>\n
Tall and wide, he had black hair and an irritating grin.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy tire\u2019s flat,\u201d I responded, angered.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s simple. I need five minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat. But don\u2019t expect me to trust you because you can replace a tire.\u201d<\/p>\n
He grinned. \u201cNick. I want tools, not trust.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not in the mood for jokes,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
A blonde lady shouted, \u201cAre you serious, Nick?\u201d from his vehicle passenger seat.<\/p>\n
He waved. \u201cWait, Julie!\u201d<\/p>\n
She looked nasty before sitting inside.<\/p>\n
I crossed arms. Lucky me. Another difficult lady, another male. I cared not. I only wanted to attend the wedding.<\/p>\n
===============================<\/p>\n
The wedding was extravagant. Mom looked royal. Harold smiled nonstop. Everyone laughed, danced, and enjoyed themselves. Then my mom took the mic.<\/p>\n
Now for the bouquet throw!<\/p>\n
Cheers. My nieces ran to catch it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoever catches it wins my sapphire ring!\u201d<\/p>\n
Excited people gasped.<\/p>\n
She said, \u201cBut there\u2019s one rule,\u201d waving her finger. \u201cThe winner must date\u2014with someone I choose!\u201d<\/p>\n
I murmured, \u201cOh no,\u201d backing away.<\/p>\n
She turned and smirked at me before throwing the bouquet directly at me. I moved too slowly. It fell into my arms.<\/p>\n
Silence. Let\u2019s cheer.<\/p>\n
Mom smiled as I stood transfixed. \u201cCongrats!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a joke,\u201d I mumbled.<\/p>\n
\u201cNope. Deal\u2019s a deal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Who\u2019s my date? I requested.<\/p>\n
Her grin broadened. \u201cNick! Come up!\u201d<\/p>\n
Turned around. That Nick. He approached smugly.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooks like fate chose me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Julie was angry behind him.<\/p>\n
I faced my mother. \u201cNo way.\u201d<\/p>\n
She grabbed my arm and said, \u201cJust once, sweetie. For me. A gift.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before I could respond, she motioned Nick over and vanished into the mob.<\/p>\n
Nick leaned in. \u201cWhen\u2019s our date?\u201d<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s finish this. One date. All done.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPerfect. Choose the time and place.\u201d<\/p>\n
Saturday, 7 p.m. Vincenzo\u2019s downtown.\u201d<\/p>\n
He grinned, \u201cFancy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Excuse me. I must forget this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nick headed for Julie as I left. He murmured, grabbed her hand, and danced.<\/p>\n
I left the cake. One thought as I left:<\/p>\n
Why is my mom hurting me?<\/p>\n
Sat. night arrived. I got to the caf\u00e9 10 minutes early to finish.<\/p>\n
Nick arrived on time.<\/p>\n
He looked too handsome with clean pants and a shirt. He sat across from me, smiling.<\/p>\n
\u201cWow. You came. I expected you to leave me a message and disappear.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI considered it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow was your day?\u201d<\/p>\n
Did I regret agreeing to this before or after?<\/p>\n
He chuckled.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat makes me like you. Your honesty. This is refreshing.\u201d<\/p>\n
I sighed. Only my mom got me here. One date. No hope. No dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n
Unexpectedly, he was easy to chat to. A little laughter. He joked about marriage. Though I hated to admit it, he was charming.<\/p>\n
The phone rang. He disregarded it. It rang again.<\/p>\n
He stepped away, saying, \u201cSorry, just a second.\u201d<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t want to listen, but I heard \u201cHey, Julie\u2026\u201d I know. Calm down\u2026<\/p>\n
I\u2019ll be there shortly. Sit tight.\u201d<\/p>\n
His troubled face returned. Sorry, I must go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJulie?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n
He dropped money on the table. \u201cSorry. I understand\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry. All done. No second date.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReally? Just that?\u201d<\/p>\n
I eyed him blankly. \u201cIf you\u2019re going to switch women mid-date, be subtle.\u201d<\/p>\n
He groaned and departed after opening his lips.<\/p>\n
Looked at my coffee. Nick. Julie. Of course.<\/p>\n
Mom\u2019s matchmaking failed. I never expected her to introduce me to a man who couldn\u2019t complete one date.<\/p>\n
Whatever. No longer my concern.<\/p>\n
Or so I thought\u2026<\/p>\n
Next morning, flowers came at my workplace.<\/p>\n
Red roses. A card:<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope you\u2019re not allergic. \u2013Nick\u201d<\/p>\n
Grunting, I flung them aside.<\/p>\n
Next day, more flowers.<\/p>\n
\u201cSecret admirer?\u201d colleague joked.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore like someone who doesn\u2019t take a hint,\u201d I added, sending them to the breakroom.<\/p>\n
A week passed without my response. My mother called.<\/p>\n
Dinner tonight. My home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMom\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Avoid excuses. You left the wedding early. Come.\u201d<\/p>\n
So I gave in.<\/p>\n
Her patio smelled great. I wondered whether it was a regular supper.<\/p>\n
Nick appeared. Flipping burgers.<\/p>\n
And Julie. Immediately behind him.<\/p>\n
I became mad.<\/p>\n
Mom stopped me before I left. \u201cSweetheart! You succeeded!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy is he here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI invited him,\u201d and grinned. \u201cYou two must start over.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo thanks. I know enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou won\u2019t mind dinner,\u201d she added, pulling me ahead.<\/p>\n
Nick noticed me. \u201cLook who stopped avoiding me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Julie sneered. \u201cCan we eat?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mom clapped. \u201cFirst, Nick speaks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sighing, Nick set down the spatula. \u201cLet me introduce you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know Julie,\u201d I responded coldly. \u201cShe smothered you at the wedding.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nick shook his head. Dislike that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Putting his hand on her shoulder. \u201cShe\u2019s my daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jules rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n
I appear too old for his child. But believe me\u2014I\u2019ve lived with him for 18 years.\u201d<\/p>\n
I froze. Nick scratched his head.<\/p>\n
Julie was six when my wife died. Just us. She dislikes sharing me.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re annoying,\u201d Julie remarked.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you two weren\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDating?\u201d Nick chuckled. \u201cNo way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Julie gagged. \u201cGross.\u201d<\/p>\n
She sat opposite me. Your not awful. Dad should move on. If you can handle him, date again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nick raised eyebrows. \u201cSee? Even my daughter agrees.\u201d<\/p>\n
Just a small grin. \u201cMaybe. Let\u2019s eat first.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBest thing you said all night.\u201d<\/p>\n
We ate, laughed, and spoke normally. I discovered something surprising:<\/p>\n
Just perhaps\u2026 I was ready to open my heart again.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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