Chapter 2

It was around 5:30 in the evening, and I was on the couch with my laptop on the coffee table, replaying a game of chess where Mom had kicked my butt. She came into the den all aflutter over having a date with Mr. Sullivan, the new guy in finance.

I think my mouth was hanging open. Mom never dates! Once I got over the shock, I became excited for her. What the hell? Mom is only thirty-nine. Why shouldn’t she date? I watched in fascination as she got out her laptop and dutifully entered’Dinner Date w / Roland S. 6:30 @ Monahan’s’ into her calendar. Like she might forget.

She insisted I stay home that Saturday evening to help get her ready for her big date. I didn’t mind spending the evening at home. I was almost as excited as she was. She came out of the bedroom three times, and I had to send her back each time to change. I finally went into her bedroom, opened her closet, and started rummaging through. Way in the back, I found a wine-colored skirt and a sleeveless floral blouse that might do. The shoes, well, she did not own a pair of heels. I picked out a pair that at least looked color-coordinated. I handed them to her and waited in the hall for her to change. She came out a few minutes later, and she looked reasonably presentable.

Then I saw under her arms. “Mom, when was the last time you shaved under your arms?”

She lifted her left arm and looked and said, “I guess I better do that if I am going to wear this blouse.”

When she came out freshly shaved and had even put on a bit of lipstick, we went downstairs to get her purse. I gave her my final piece of advice. “Lose the glasses unless you’re driving.” I finally got my very nervous mother out the door and wished her luck.