Chapter 2: First Date

On Saturday morning, I told Andy that he and I would go to the movies together on Saturday night. He wasn’t pleased with being seen with his “Mom” at a local theater where friends might show up (with their dates!), so we agreed to go to a movie three towns away from ours. I didn’t tell him that I was going as his date, just that he could pick the movie and I would drive him and we would see it together, just the two of us.

Of course, Andy picked a “guy” movie, plenty of car chases and explosions, but that didn’t matter to me. When we got in the car, I told him what the real plan was.

“Listen Andy. This night is going to be a special night for you. I would like you to think of me not as your Mom but as your girlfriend tonight.”

“Really Mom? That seems so lame! No one goes out on a date with their own MOTHER. Forget it.”

“Andy tonight I am not your Mom.” Tonight I am just “Sue,” the girl you are on a movie date with. It will be fun. You will act like my boyfriend and we will just do the things that kids do on a date. That way, sweetie, when you do go out on a date with a girl your own age, you will feel experienced and know how to handle yourself.”

“Mom ... Sue ... this is just too weird. No one can know about this.”

“Andy just relax and have fun. No one will recognize us when we are three towns away. We are seeing a movie and we will have a good time.”

“Does Dad know you are going on a “date” with me?”

“Yes, he knows and thinks it is a good idea for you to get some dating experience under your belt before you venture to ask out girls from your school.”

Once we arrived at the movie complex, I gave Andy enough cash to cover the tickets and snacks so he could purchase them without looking to me for assistance. He got out of the car, came around to the driver’s side, and opened the door for me – a very nice touch and I thanked him for it.

Walking to the theater, I took his hand in mine. He seemed reluctant at first, but I persisted and we walked hand in and to the ticket booth.We were certainly an odd couple, but no one seemed to give us asecond look.

He bought the tickets, and asked me if I wanted popcorn and soda, which he obtained for me as I waited demurely by the wall. This was going well I thought.

The movie was boring. No surprise there, though Andy loved it. But during the movie I made sure that he held my hand or put his arm on my shoulder. He relaxed after a while and it seemed to come naturally.

On the drive home, back in Mom mode, I told him how mature he had acted and how much I enjoyed the date. To make it seem even more real, I told him to pretend that he was walking me to my door and we would say “goodnight” in front of the door before I stepped inside.

We walked hand-in-hand to the door and I told him that I had a lovely time with him and hoped I could see him again. Andy blushed and said “Sure.” He then gave me a peck on the cheek – appropriate perhaps for a mother but not for a date (at least not in my experience!).

I said, “Andy, I expected a real kiss from my boyfriend, not a peck on the cheek. Come here and put your hands on my shoulders, pull me towards you and give me a proper girlfriend kiss.”

He tried and it was passable, but not really authentic. So, I reached to him and pulled him to me and gave him the kind of kiss that I had reserved only for my husband for the past 16 years! It was a girlfriend kiss. And Andy kissed me back.