Page 27 of Fake It For Glory

MERIDA

It had been an unusual couple of weeks since I’d seen my mother. Normally, we’d get together at least once a week, whether it was for a casual glass of wine, a shopping spree, or a cozy dinner at her place. But life had a way of getting hectic, and time had slipped away from us. I didn’t want to neglect her, though.

I was an only child, and with my parents divorced, I tried to do my best to give them an equal amount of my time. I didn’t want either of them to think I was favoring the other. Since I worked with my dad, it seemed only fair that I got together with my mom at least once a week. I knew she was lonely. She had never remarried or even dated anyone seriously after my father.

As I parked my car outside her beautifully landscaped two-bedroom home in the Bronx, I couldn’t help but smile. The house was so my mom. She was a simple woman. She didn’t need to have a big house with brand new appliances and a housekeeper. She liked to take care of herself. It was a place that always made me feel at home. It was a small house but it wasn’t like she needed a lot.

I knocked on the door, and moments later, my mother greeted me with a radiant smile. “You don’t have to knock,” she said and gave me a big hug. “I’m so happy to see you. I feel like it’s been forever.”

I returned her hug, feeling the comfort of her embrace. “I know, Mom. Life’s been a whirlwind lately. I’m sorry.”

“I know you’re busy,” she said as we walked inside. “I’m just lucky to have you come by. So many of my friends have children they don’t see for years. I think I’m very fortunate to have you so close by.”

That made me feel guilty. I needed to do better. You only got one mom and I knew life was short. “I feel lucky to have my mother so close.”

“I made chicken and fettucine alfredo,” she said. “I thought we could sit in the solarium. I love being outside with the beautiful fall colors.”

“That sounds like a great plan,” I said. “Can I set the table?”

“Already done.” She smiled and gently shooed me out back.

I stepped into the small solarium. The heat was on, which was always confusing to the brain. I was outside in the cold, but I was warm. The solarium was the whole reason she bought the house. Her garden was all tilled with straw over the bed. My mother had an amazing garden. She spent her days tending to it, reading, and living a very peaceful life.

The vibrant autumn hues of maple trees with their auburn and copper leaves formed a natural canopy overhead. The scene was like something out of a storybook, a serene and picturesque setting that made me forget about the hustle and bustle of the city. I was glad she’d found somewhere that made her happy.

My townhouse was in a very busy neighborhood. It was never quiet. Even though her neighbors were close, it felt like she was all alone. It was peaceful.

I sat down and poured us each a glass of wine from the bottle she had put on the table. I sipped the red wine and thought about what my life would look like when I was her age. Would I be single? Would I have children to stop by and check on me?

At the rate I was going, it didn’t look promising. I was twenty-nine and had no romantic prospects. My only date was with a man that was paying me to go out with him. And he was kind of a jerk.

“Here we are,” Mom said as she carried out a dish. My mother had prepared a homecooked meal, and the aroma filled the air.

“It smells amazing,” I said.

We dished up and got busy eating. It was so good to eat a homecooked meal. When I was at home alone, I usually popped something in the microwave.

As we ate, my mother turned to me with a smile. “So, have you met anyone interesting lately?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

I groaned inwardly, knowing exactly where this conversation was headed. “No, Mom, I haven’t,” I replied, taking another sip of wine.

My mother sighed. “Well, you’re still young. You have plenty of time to find the right person. Don’t rush into anything.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not rushing into anything, Mom. I just haven’t found anyone who’s worth my time.”

Eventually, I was going to have to tell her about the whole fake-girlfriend job thing. But not tonight.

She nodded, understanding. “I know, dear. It’s hard to find someone who fits into your life. But don’t give up hope. Sometimes the most unexpected things can happen.”

I frowned, not really wanting to think about it. My love life was a mess, and I wasn’t sure if it could be fixed. But for now, I was content to sit with my mother and enjoy her cooking.

“I’ll keep waiting,” I said.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“What?”

“What’s going on?” she asked again. “I know you too well. I can tell there’s something on your mind. Is it work? A man?”