Page 37 of Flirting with 40

Talk about killing the daydream.

“It’s been less than forty-eight hours and you’re already calling?” I tease when I pick up the phone.

“The proper way to answer the phone is: Mom, I already miss you so much.”

I snort but love the damn woman anyway. “I could, or I could ask you why you’re calling.”

“I just wanted to tell you to have a good trip.”

“Trip?” I feign ignorance to find out just how much she snooped before leaving.

“Your duffle bag was out, I figured you were taking a little vacation to celebrate my being gone.”

I cough over a laugh. “I’d never do that.”

“Yes, you would.” She’s so matter-of-fact but the amusement in her tone is playful. “Why do you think I didn’t leave you any precooked meals when I left. I figured you wouldn’t be home long enough to eat them.” Silence falls for the briefest of moments as I marvel at her ability to figure things out. Then, of course, she goes in for the kill. “So, who is she?”

“Who is who?” I grab my toiletry bag and add it to the pile.

“Who is the woman who is putting that smile on your face and who you are sneaking off with? I mean, if she weren’t anything special, you would have said something. Your hiding her says volumes.”

“And you wonder why I told you to go home.”

“Deflection is not going to work,” she says in her most motherly tone possible.

“There is no woman, Mom.”

“Uh-huh. You sure came back all smiles the other night after meeting your cousin for drinks.”

“I have to go pack now.”

“Does she have three heads? Is she a celebrity?”

“You need help.” I shake my head and laugh.

“Or is she the one?” She gasps. “That’s it, isn’t it?”

“Tell Dad to take your temperature.”

“Was it love at first sight?”

“Or, better yet, take you to the emergency room because I think you’ve hit your head. There is no such thing as love at first sight.”

“And that, my son, is where I’ve raised you all wrong.”

“I know what you and Dad have is unique and one of a kind, but it just isn’t like that these days.”

“I don’t buy it. The minute I met your father, I knew he was the one. There was a pull that made us happen to be in the right place at the right time. Could you imagine if I had resisted that nagging feeling and had not gone to the Christmas party where I met him? I had no intention of going but decided last minute I had to. Could you imagine if I’d listened to everyone who told me I was crazy when I said he was the one that first night?”

“Lucky for me you didn’t.”

“You’re damn right,” she teases.

“But I don’t see how you and Dad have anything to do with my love life.”

“So, there is a love life, then?” I can picture her rubbing her hands together as if she’s gearing up for some juicy details.

“Goodbye, Mother.”