The annual Pine Lakes Gala is impressive, to say the least. Every surface is bathed in lights and flowers and golden accents of every kind. At the center of the room is a wooden dance floor encircled by dozens of tables decorated with the little flower balls I helped Ji make for the centerpieces. Above us, a glittering chandelier casts a warm glow over the room.
“Ji and Lupe have outdone themselves,” Mom says to me before leaning over to Dan, who sits on her opposite side. “Lupe Delgado is the event planner, and Ji is her assistant and one of Jordan’s friends from high school.”
Dan’s eyebrows rise.
“No, not that high school friend,” Mom tells Dan, answering his wordless question.
I eye them both, but they explain nothing, and Mom continues to eat an assortment of vegetables on her gold-trimmed plate. Dan places his arm behind Mom’s chair, and Mom leans into him. They look good together. Mom’s auburn hair is tied up in an elegant twist, and she’s wearing a flowy navy-blue dress with flowers sewn across the sleeves, one I saw on her kitchen table two weeks ago. Dan wears a navy-blue suit and a silver tie with a navy-flower print. I wonder if they coordinated that.
“Jordan, any chance we can rope you into our next water aerobics class?” Dan asks. “I’m severely outnumbered.”
“And by outnumbered, he means he’s the only male in the class,” Mom says.
“Gee, thatistempting,” I say sarcastically.
Dan chuckles.
“Oh, but water aerobics is such a great way to stay social and accountable, Jordan, and it’s so gentle on the joints.” Mom throws back the same words I used on her two months ago, giving me a snarky grin.
I lean forward. “You know what’s also gentle on the joints? Hot tubs. I’ll be in the hot tub while you guys do water aerobics. Win-win. Yeah?”
“I mean. He’s got a point, Sandy.” Dan looks contemplative. “Maybe I’ll start hot tubbing instead.”
Mom smacks Dan’s chest.
Dan clears his throat. “I meant, maybe I’ll start hot tubbing instead... of toweling off right after class.”
Mom rolls her eyes.
I laugh. “What made you want to do water aerobics, Dan?” If I could guess, I would say Dan is in his early sixties, making him about ten years older than my mom. He’s got broad shoulders and muscled arms that press against his suit coat. They are notthe kind of arms you would expect someone to get from water aerobics, which makes me wonder why he chose to do water aerobics in the first place.
“I was cleaning the gutters of my house, and I lost my balance and fell right on my hip. This spring, I got a hip replacement, and the people at rehab suggested water aerobics as a way to ease my way into my normal exercise routine. Hip replacements are not fun.” Then he looks at my mom and smiles. “But there is always a silver lining.”
Mom blushes.
The three of us continue our conversation, and all the while, I watch my mom flirt right in front of me. I didn’t think I would ever see the day. Nor do I mind as much as I thought because Mom is happier than I’ve seen her in a long time. Dan is a good-looking guy with a head full of silver hair, giving him a George Clooney look. He might be a little older than I expected, but I can tell why Mom likes him so much. He’s funny, attentive, and smart, and I can tell he has a lot in common with my mom, including the loss of their spouses over two decades before.
Mom finishes her glass of water, and Dan immediately offers to refill it.
“So, what do you think?” Mom whispers the moment Dan leaves our table.
“I think I saw some of your lipstick on his face.” I make an exaggerated wince.
“Oh, you brat.” She scowls at me.
I chuckle. “Really, though, Mom. Dan’s great.”
“You mean it?” She looks at me with hope in her eyes.
“I really do,” I assure her.
She beams, then her face falls. “Is it weird for you?”
“No, Mom. Dad died when I was three. I might not remember him like you do, but from everything you told me about him, he was the best of men. And I can tell Dan is of a similar caliber.” Igrip my mom’s hand lightly and look her in the eyes so she has no questions about my feelings on the matter. “If you like Dan, then I am in full support of that.”
Mom looks at me with moist eyes, and I squeeze her hand once more before letting go.
“Just try to tone the flirting down when I’m near,” I add, “or I’m going to get one of those anti-nausea bands for whenever I’m around you two.”
