That first night, when Cleo described all those awful boys she’d dated, I thought it was a disgrace that such a strong woman had never had a boyfriend who respected and treated her well. She shakes her head. That brought out the matchmaker in me. I was running through the list of my grandnephews when a better possibility came up.
I shake my head. Okay, I get that my boyfriend-picker was fucked up. But what about Mats? He’s the last person who needs to be fixed up with anyone. And she doesn’t even know about all the women who have asked him out.
Marjorie shrugs. You’re both elite athletes who love hockey. People have bonded over much less. Besides, I could tell that Mats was unhappy. He needed light and laughter in his life.
Mats releases an exasperated sigh. All this time, I was worried that we were misleading you, but this is a Machiavellian level of manipulation.
Our entire relationship flashes through my mind. You made us sleep in the same bed when you knew we weren’t even together!
Geraldine purses her lips, but Marjorie only laughs. If Mother Nature steps in, who am I to interfere? Besides, putting two healthy adults in close proximity? I’m sure that sped things up.
There’s a short silence while all of us digest our new reality. Mats already thinks a lot of Marjorie, but now I’m really tipping my hat to this woman. No wonder she was so successful in business; she can read anyone like a book. But still, it’s all a bit weird.
Geraldine brings in the dessert and coffee. It’s a lemon meringue pie, which immediately cheers me up.
Well, I hope you can eventually forgive an old woman for trying to make you happy, Marjorie says, still twinkling. She obviously likes both of us, regardless of whether we’re together or not.
I’m sure you meant well, Mats says. Although I’m going to need some time to process all this.
She turns to me. What about you, Cleo?
I swallow a delicious mouthful of pie. I forgive you. Dating Mats is great. The only drawback is that I’m out of crappy boyfriend stories.
Really, I’ll have to thank her and Geraldine privately sometime. Mats would kill me for saying this, but I would never have gone after him—he’s way above my pay grade. Yet, we’re a damn good fit. Marjorie knows what she’s doing.
After the pie is eaten and Geraldine clears the dishes away, it’s almost the time when we get kicked out.
Mats starts to thank Marjorie for the evening, when she raises a hand.
I know you’re not happy with me right now, she begins, and when he starts to protest, she shushes him. But here’s a little something that might help.
She hands him an envelope from her jacket pocket. Give this to Barb Peachy. It details my donation to the hockey program at Monarch. I’m giving $200,000 to be split equally between the men’s and women’s programs. And that will be given immediately, not when I pass. She winks at us. After all, I want my two favourite players to benefit.
Mats shakes her hand. Thank you so much, Marjorie. This is so generous. Our teams will put this donation to great use.
I fling my arms around her neck and kiss her soft cheek. This is fucking epic, Marjorie. We want to repeat, and you better be at our championship game next year.
Oh, I’ll be there. Maybe I’ll even convince Geraldine to attend her first hockey game.
No, you won’t, comes her voice from the kitchen. There have never been any issues with Geraldine’s hearing.
HOW NICE THAT WE BROUGHT EXCITEMENT TO THEIR LIVES, I SAY ON THE DRIVE HOME.
Hmmm, says Mats, who still isn’t fully on board. That’s his way; he takes his time to make a decision, but once he’s in, he’s all in. That’s also why I haven’t yet told him that I’m in love with him. I’m waiting—yes, me, waiting for something—until he realizes exactly what we have. I’m pretty good at reading people, so I know it’s coming soon.
Why are you upset about what Marjorie did? Because it all turned out great, right? I ask.
Yes. But I don’t like being manipulated. Do the ends justify the means?
Ugh, philosophy students. Always questioning things, I complain, but I don’t really mind. I enjoy Mats’s unique takes because they keep me sharp. I can never predict his reactions.
He puts a warm hand over mine. Just give me time to ruminate.
Do you think we’ll go to dinner there next year? I wonder. The next school year seems so far away, since we have final exams and assignments looming.
I think we’ll go, but not every week. She likes athletes, so maybe other athletes from other programs can go? Barb probably has a plan, Mats replies.
Then I get a brainstorm. Wait, what if we send athletes that we want to fix up?
