THE BLIND DATE
by
Mona Ingram
©2021
Chapter One
“A blind date? You must be kidding.” Jessica raised her coffee cup to her lips, then lowered it slowly to the bar. “Are you trying to tell me something?”
“Come on, Mom. You’re still an attractive woman but I can’t remember the last time you had a date.”
Jessica raised an eyebrow “ ‘Still?’ You make me sound ancient.”
“You know I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Fair enough.” Jessica Dalton let her gaze wander around the popular restaurant. La Brasserie was the only Continental-style restaurant in town and was insanely popular thanks to the culinary skills of Chance Rousseau, Kelsey’s husband. “Besides, I don’t want to argue with you here, where the ambience is so peaceful.”
Kelsey settled on a stool beside her mother. “It is, isn’t it? Especially at this time of day.” She offered a wry smile. “Although in the middle of the evening rush it’s an entirely different kettle of fish.”
“Which brings me back to this blind date business. Why would you get involved with a scheme like this? It’s not like you need the business.”
“True, but we’re active members of the local Restaurant Association and since they’re promoting it we couldn’t very well refuse.”
Jessica considered this for a moment. “So how does it work again?”
“It’s pretty much like you read in the newspaper. Both men and women call and put their names on a list. If the women prefer a certain restaurant, they specify. Then the men are paired up with the women based loosely on age.”
“Hmmm. That’s rather subjective, isn’t it? I mean both the man and woman are at the mercy of whoever is matching them up.”
Kelsey decided to try once more. “The thing is, Mom, I wish you would put your name in. I was serious when I said you’re still attractive. More importantly, I’d like to see you happy again.”
“I was happy once, remember? And look how that worked out.”
“Yeah, well…”
Jessica stared into her coffee. “Do you ever talk to your father?”
“Once a year, on my birthday. I’ve told you that.”
“How is he?”
Kelsey took a deep breath. “We’ve discussed this, remember? I refuse to let either of you put me in the middle.”
Jessica held up a hand. “You’re right… sorry. It’s just that…” Her words trailed off and she fell silent.
Kelsey picked up her cell phone and checked an incoming text. “Damn! It looks like our lobster order is held up again today. I’d better tell Chance.”
“And I’ve taken up enough of your time.” Jessica turned to her daughter. “I enjoy our little coffee klatches but if they’re cutting into your time too much just let me know.”
“I will but I enjoy talking about non-restaurant related things, even if it’s only for a few minutes each morning.” Kelsey followed her mother to the front door. “Are you off for your workout?”
Jessica groaned. “Unfortunately, yes. See you tomorrow?”
“You’ve got it.” Kelsey watched her mother walk away and then went to give her husband the bad news.
Chapter Two
Jessica cleared a spot on the mirror with her towel and leaned in. For some reason when she was here at the gym she saw herself differently. After a hard workout she was exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. She was also unflinchingly honest with her assessment of herself, including where she was going. Trouble was, she was going in circles instead of forward.
She cleared the mirror again and spoke to the woman who looked back. “Maybe Kelsey’s right. Maybe I should put my name in the Blind Date promotion. What have I got to lose?”
* * *
“How did you make out without the lobster last night?” Jessica poured herself a cup of coffee in the restaurant kitchen.
Chance shot her a quick look but continued with food prep for the evening. “Your daughter found an alternate source. I don’t know how she did it, but they were so good we’re thinking of changing suppliers.”
“I’m glad it worked out.” Jessica watched him work for a few moments. “I’ll be out at the bar when she arrives.”
He nodded. “Should be here any minute.”
Jessica had just settled on her favorite bar stool when Kelsey walked in with an armful of fresh greens. “Morning, Mom.”
“Hi Sweetheart. Chance tells me you solved the lobster problem.”
“Yeah.” Her daughter grinned. “I scored a few points there. Be right back with my coffee.”
Kelsey was stirring sugar into her coffee when Jessica blurted out her news. “I signed up,” she said in what she hoped was a confident tone.
“For what?” Her daughter’s puzzled expression turned to one of surprise. “You mean for the Blind Date?”
“Yup.” Jessica took a sip of her coffee, hoping the slight tremble in her hand wasn’t too noticeable. “I decided you’re right. I need to get out.”
“That’s… that’s wonderful.” Kelsey paused for a moment. “Wow.”
“I hope you don’t mind, but I said I’d like to come here.” She looked around the familiar restaurant. “I feel safe here.”
“I doubt you’ll be in any danger.”
“That isn’t what I meant. It’s just that if something goes wrong, I know you’ll have my back.”
“Of course I will.” Kelsey gave her a saucy grin. “I’d like to see you get that look in your eyes again.” She lowered her gaze. “Sorry, I’ve broken my own rule.”
“I know you mean well, Sweetheart.” Her eyes took on a faraway look. “I’ve been thinking a lot about him recently.”
Kelsey watched a range of emotions play across her mother’s face.
“Did I ever tell you how we met?”
Kelsey shook her head, not wanting to interrupt.
“It was Labor Day weekend and the city had built a dance floor in the park. There was a band playing in the gazebo. Talk about romantic. Anyway, I’d met a guy earlier in the day and he swept me off my feet. He suggested that we meet in the wine garden so I went home and got ready.” Jessica smiled at the memory. “It was the first time I’d ever fussed with my appearance like that but I wanted to impress him.” She gazed into the distance. “I was there a few minutes early and found a table. I waited for close to two hours, drinking ginger ale, waiting for him to show up.”
“Don’t tell me he stood you up!”
Jessica nodded. “I was so humiliated. I felt as though everyone was staring at me… feeling sorry for me.” She lifted her head and looked into her daughter’s eyes. “And then I heard this voice, just behind me, saying ‘You look like you could use a glass of Merlot.’” And when I turned, it was your father.”
“Don’t tell me you fell in love then and there. That only happens in romance novels.”
“Okay, I won’t tell you, but that’s exactly what happened.” She closed her eyes. “I can still smell his aftershave.”
Kelsey studied her mother for a moment. “You know, when I was young, I recall nothing but happiness in our household. And then when I was around fifteen everything changed. I’ve always wondered what happened.”
At first her mother pulled back, but then her demeanor softened. When she began to speak if was so softly Kelsey had to lean closer to hear.
“It was my fault, you know… the divorce.” She wrapped both hands around her mug as though it was a lifeline. “Your dad used to travel a lot for business. Remember that?”
Kelsey nodded.
“He sold medical equipment to hospitals, medical clinics… basically anyone who needed what the company had to offer. And he was good at it. I hated that he was gone so much… a woman hears stories about what men get up to when they’re away from home. I trusted him, but there was always that niggling doubt in the back of my mind.
“I was at the golf club one day and I made the mistake of voicing my concerns to a group of women. I should have known better, especially around Madge Resnick. Her husband worked at the same company as Matt. The company encouraged competition among their reps and gave promotions accordingly. Your dad got a promotion and Blair Resnick didn’t. That’s when it started.
“Madge started by dropping little hints that Matt was being unfaithful when he was out of town. I didn’t believe her and told her she was mistaken, but she had a trick up her sleeve. She had a friend call the house and asked for Matt. The woman said a few things that convinced me she knew him. That was all it took. I accused him, he denied it and it just escalated from there.” She raised her head. “My jealousy ruined our marriage. Don’t ever let that happen to you.”
“Oh, Mom. I don’t know what to say.”
“Finally your dad couldn’t take it any longer. During one of my tirades he asked if I wanted a divorce and I said yes.” She shook her head at the memory. “A couple of years later I discovered that it had nothing to do with the promotion; Blair had been cheating on Madge and she took her anger out on me. But by then it was too late and Matt had moved on.” She took a deep breath and pulled herself together. “You know, I’ve never told anyone that story.”
“Thank you for telling me.” She gave her mother a tentative smile. “Are you sure you want to go through with the Blind Date? Won’t it bring back too many memories?”
Jessica lifted her shoulders. “I hope not, but whatever happens I need to toughen up. Like you said, it’s time I found happiness.”
“So what date did you choose for your date? Our slots are filling up.”
“All they had left is tonight.” She gave her daughter what she hoped was a confident smile. “Wish me luck.”
Chapter Three
“You look beautiful, Mom.” Kelsey had been waiting for her mother to appear. “You’ve had highlights put in your hair.”
“Too much?” Jessica touched her hair.
“No, it’s perfect.” She indicated one of their preferred tables. “I’ve put you here where you’ll have privacy. Do you want to sit facing the door or would you rather be surprised?”
“Surprise me.” She sat down and grabbed Kelsey’s arm in a vise-like grip. “I’m nervous.”
Kelsey extricated herself. “You’ll do fine. Shall I bring you a glass of wine?”
“Just water will do.” She gave her daughter a weak smile. “Wish me luck.”
Jessica checked her watch for what felt like the tenth time. It was fifteen minutes past the agreed time and knots were beginning to form in her stomach.
What was I thinking? She asked herself. There are no second chances in life… at least not mine. She toyed with her water glass, fighting back tears.
And then she smelled it… the familiar after shave he’d worn since that first night. Don’t be foolish, she told herself. It could be anyone. And yet she knew.
“You look like you could use a glass of Merlot.” His voice was raspy with emotion.
“Matt?” She looked up at him, not trying to hide her delight at seeing him. “I was just thinking about you.”
He sat down and nodded to someone behind her. Kelsey appeared moments later and placed a glass of Merlot in front of each of them. “Enjoy,” she said simply, then turned and left them alone.
“You’re even more beautiful than I remember.” Matt raised his glass and gazed into her eyes. “I’ve waited a long time for this day.”
Jessica’s heart did a little tap dance in her chest. “Me too. What shall we drink to?”
Matt grinned. “Second chances?”
Jessica gazed into the eyes of the man she’d never stopped loving. “To second chances.”
*** The End ***