“Incoming call from Mom,” my hands-free set said through the speakers.
I pressed the button on the steering wheel to answer. “Hey, Ma! When did you get back? Shouldn’t you be sleeping?”
My mom and her new husband, Rick, had been on a month-long cruise of the Mediterranean and a few other places.
“Hi, honey! We got back last night. This jet lag is killing me. My body feels like I should be getting ready for lunch. I figured if anyone was up this early and would be willing to chat with me, it would be you.”
“Ah, the dreaded jet lag. It’s the curse of traveling to the other side of the globe for an extended vacation,” I chided. “Did you guys have fun?”
“Oh, it was wonderful!” she said. “The country, well, I guess countries, we went to were just beautiful. And the food is just amazing. You really need to go there on your honeymoon.”
“Still not getting married, ma.”
“Oh, I know,” she sighed. “But someday it’ll happen. So just keep it in mind.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said sarcastically. “Like I have kept in mind that beautiful venue you found at Rick’s Christmas party a few months ago. And the perfect non-denominational church you tried out at Easter. Oh . . . and that great DJ from Kimmie Sunandrum’s wedding last year. Yes . . . I remember it all.”
“I’m so glad to know you’re actually listening to me when I talk these days,” she ribbed. “You were such a little twerp in high school.”
“I know, Ma,” I laughed. “Speaking of high school, guess who I’ve been spending some time with?”
“Who?”
“Lindsay Miller.”
“Lindsay, who?”
“Miller. But you might remember her as Lindsay Nabours.”
“Oh! Little Lindsay Nabours?” she asked excitedly. “How is she? Is she still single? I always wanted you to date that girl!”
“Gross. That would be like dating my sister.” She scoffed. “Besides, she’s married and has a five-year-old daughter.”
“She does? Oh, that’s wonderful! When did you see her?”
“I’ve seen her a couple times, actually,” I told her. “She hasn’t changed a bit. Still her same sarcastic, witty self. And her daughter is exactly the same. It’s hilarious.”
“I’m so glad.”
I paused for a second. I had always been close to my mom, but I was nervous about broaching the next topic.
“Hey Ma, can I ask you a question about when dad died?”
She paused. “Well, that’s kind of unexpected. But sure, sweetie. You can ask me anything about him.”
“Maybe it’s less about him and more about you.”
“Okay,” she said. “Is everything ok?”
“Yeah . . . I’m just wondering about some things.” I ran my hand over the top of my head, a little nervous about starting the conversation. “How come you didn’t date much after dad died?”
“Well, there are a couple reasons,” she started. “The big one is I just didn’t find anyone all that interesting until Rick came along. I went on a date here or there, but that was about it.”
“Were you ever worried about, ya know, me getting too attached to someone or anything like that?”
“Um, I think it may have crossed my mind,” she said. “But honestly, I don’t think I was interested enough in anyone to actually worry about it. Can I ask where these questions are coming from?”
“Ummmmm,” I tried dragging out my answer until I could come up with something good. She wasn’t having it.
“Don’t ‘ummmmm’ me, Jason Hart,” she reprimanded. “What’s up?”
I sighed. “I think I met someone.”
“Ok,” she said. “I’m remaining calm because I think there may be more to this story and I don’t wanna get my hopes up for grandbabies.”
I snickered. “Her husband died in a car accident about six months ago.”
“Oh, Jay,” she breathed.
“I know, but there are some seriously different circumstances than when dad died. At least I hope they are,” I muttered.
“Ok.”
“And she has a seven-year-old son.”
“Ah. Now I’m starting to see. And she’s concerned about her son getting attached to you.”
“It’s a little more complicated than that, but basically, yeah.”
“Well, let me ask you a question,” she said. “How did you feel when I went out on dates?”
I had to think about the answer. I really wasn’t sure. But as I thought, I realized it never really fazed me at all. I didn’t want anyone to replace my dad. But I never really thought too much about it when my mom went out. Even when I was old enough to realize what dates actually entail.