Dare To Love Again

Just then, Giselle entered the room with our son, and his grandparents descended. There was a lot of cooing and fawning, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen my dad this relaxed before in my life. Gone was the stoic disciplinarian who’d guided me with love and a strong hand, being heavy on the hand, and in his place was… a grandfather.

We spent the next half an hour talking about the baby and dad’s trip until the doorbell rang. I’d forgotten all about Dana and my last-minute decision to go ahead and invite her to dinner just to keep Giselle in her place. She came into the room all smiles, looking smashing as she always does, but her smile died a quick death upon sight of my mother.

I have no idea why those two never got along; no, let me rephrase that, why mom has never liked one of my best friends since college. She never even got to know the girl, never gave her a chance. But to hear her tell it, she knows all she needs to know, and apparently, none of it’s good because she never has anything nice to say.

“Dana, what brings you here? Have you met our grandson? You remember our daughter in law, Giselle.” I’m not sure I trust that gleam in mom’s eye, and I knew she was up to no good when I intercepted the little hip nudge dad gave her. Of course, she ignored him and just steamrolled her way over everyone and everything like she always does when she gets into one of her moods.

“Hi, Mrs. Addison, nice to see you again. Mr. Addison.” Dana looked at me questioningly, and I realized at that moment just what an ass I’d been to invite her the way I did. Though she’s never shown any real romantic interest in me, I can see now that leading her on was not such a great idea. But how was I to know that mom would show up here? Last I heard, dad’s flight had taken off later than originally planned, so I wasn’t expecting to see them until maybe tomorrow sometime.

I mouthed the word sorry to Dana and hoped that that would be the end of it, but mom wasn’t done by a long shot. It’s been a while since I’ve seen my mother in action except for the way she tore into me the day before. When I was a kid, my friends used to call her the terminator because of the way she’d go after anyone who got out of line, parents, and teachers alike. I thought she’d mellowed some over the years with everyone except her son and husband, but I was about to learn different.

“You’re not here about some business thing, are you? Oh Calen, tell me you didn’t bring this poor girl all the way out here for nothing. Sorry Dana dear, but my husband and I are here to spend some time with our grandson and get reacquainted with our daughter in law; you don’t mind, do you? Whatever business you have can wait until tomorrow. Delores?”

She called out to my head housekeeper, who materialized in the doorway as if she’d been waiting in the wings. “Ma’am?”

“Can you please see the guest out? And tell Rosie that we’ll be in for dinner whenever she’s ready; I’d like to eat with my grandson.” I wasn’t asked for my opinion, but I felt the least I could do to save Dana some embarrassment was to walk her to the door, at least. Mom had other ideas.

“Come on, Dana, I’ll walk you out, sorry about that.” I could strangle my mother, but what good would that do. “Oh son, she knows the way to the door; let me show you what dad picked up for the baby. He went out shopping as soon as I called him with the news of our grandson.” She made sure to grab my arm so that I couldn’t leave. I didn’t want to call her out in front of dad and my ex, so I kept my voice low when I began to scold her.

“Mom, why did you do that? That wasn’t very nice. I invited Dana to dinner.”

“I know, that’s why I rushed your poor father here straight from the airfield.”

“What do you mean, you know?” As if I had to ask.

“Delores called me as soon as you told her that Dana would be joining you for dinner.” She gave me a disapproving look at that.

“And? Why is my housekeeper keeping you up to date with what’s going on in my house?” She didn’t bother answering, not that I expected her to; it’s not like it’s the first time, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. “Never mind all that, what game are you playing? Have you done anything that I’ve told you? I’m not about to lose my grandson and only see him on the weekends because you’re being a dumb male. I told you…”