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He reaches across the table to shake my hand. For a brief second, I stare at it but, soon enough, pull myself out of my stupor to take his hand. I’ve met other men my mom dated. She was never serious about any of them. This feels different.
“Sorry to barge in, but I was getting antsy.”
I nod. “I take it you’re why we had to have brunch today?”
He sits down next to my mother. “Yeah, she thought it was important that we meet.”
Before I can respond, the waitress steps up to the table.
After taking our orders, the waitress leaves. The silence that fills the air makes my hands sweat. I don’t like this.
My mother clears her throat. “Ted and I have decided to move in together.”
I blink. My mother has a social life and has had boyfriends, but she’s never moved in with one of them.
“Uh, that’s nice.”
Okay, I could have handled that better. I don’t do well in these situations. I need to plan and think things through. She knows that, so I don’t understand why she’s springing this on me in this manner.
“Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“Jon.” My mom is not happy with me. She’s frowning, and while she still glows with happiness, I feel she’s getting ready to metaphorically slap me upside the head.
“Sorry.” I glance at Ted. “No offense, but I don’t know you.”
“No offense taken. She told me you were protective. And before you worry about any more offending behavior, I expect to be investigated.”
“Ted, don’t—”
He shushes my mom. “Hey, it’s what I would do with my mom if I was in Jon’s place.”
“I’m a smart enough woman to pick a partner for myself.” I hear that tone and know she’s about to get huffy with Ted. Mom is all about empowerment. Being divorced in her mid-twenties really did a number on her and taught her to stand up for herself.
“Don’t get huffy with me.”
I blink. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own problems I haven’t been paying attention to my mom, but this Ted apparently has.
“Excuse me, Mr. Franklin, can I take a pic with you?”
I glance at a man who looks like he’s in his thirties.
“Sure, but let’s go over there,” he says, pointing at the restaurant’s waterfall feature.
Once we’re alone, my mother says, “You should have handled that better.”
“No, you should have told me ahead of time. You know how I am about change.”
Change is a massive problem for me, at least in my personal life. For as long as I can remember, I’ve needed longer to prepare for disruption. Mom knows this. In the past, she’s helped me deal with it. She has the courtesy of looking contrite.
“Sorry. We’ve been dating for about nine months. He’s been dying to meet you, but I wanted to be sure.”
There’s something in her voice that tells me this guy is important. “You love him.”
“There’s a reason we’re moving in together.”
“Sorry about that,” Ted says as he joins us. “I know how you feel about having your picture taken.”
I look at my mother, who shrugs. “You know I talk about you a lot.”
