Second Chance at Love

Chapter 14

Getting home after work, I feel so nervous.

Should I have said no to him? Should I cancel diner? What should I even wear for tonight?

I want to pull out my hair, I feel like I’m going to throw up! I’ve known him all my life. I shouldn't be this nervous, right?! But I can’t help it. The hurt from all those years ago still weighs in so heavily on my heart. I don’t want to feel like this, not at all.

“Mom? Is that you?” I hear Kaylee calling from her room.

Oh, yes! Kaylee must have talked with Alex after our call this afternoon. I wonder how that went?

“Yes, sweet pea, how did it go after you hung up at lunch?” I ask her, sitting on the side of her bed, looking at the pile of clothing forming itself on the edge of it.

“Are you cleaning out your closet?” I ask her, raising an eye brown.

“NO! I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR!” She yells out, almost crying.

“Are you serious? We have 4 and a half-closed between the both of us, and you have nothing to wear?” I say, looking at her with an ‘are you kidding me’ kind of look.

Seeing here turn red, I take pity on her.

“Ok, tell me, what were you, looking for?”

“I don’t know” She wines. “I’m going on a date with Alex and I don’t know what I should wear. We're only going to the movies, and I know we’ve known each other since, forever, but it feels different tonight. I don’t want to mess this up!” She says, throwing herself face down on the mountain of clothing.

“So, I take it your talk with him when well?” I ask her with a cheeky grin.

She turns her head toward me, turning red from the heat rising in her cheeks.

Now I understand why my mother always liked to tease me when I was younger. I tell myself smiling at some of the memories. This is fun, just a little.  It’s kind of funny thinking about how I’m like my mother in some ways. Not a bad thing though.

“Yeah, it went well, really well. But now I’m nervous. Can you please help me? I really don’t know what to wear. Should I put my hair up, or down? How much makeup should I put? Do I wear lipstick?” She asks all in one breath.

“Ok, take a deep breath and calm down. So, you going to the movies?” I ask.

“Yes”

“Ok, so, tonight’s going to be cooler, so no dresses. Let’s look at some jeans. Humm… Here, faded ripped jeans, one-piece lace, slightly deeper V-neck mint green camisole, with this cream-colored blazer, and beige peep-toe heels. For your hair, nice loose curls, light natural makeup, and just a little gloss. Lipstick is too messy. What do you think?”

“Mom, you are a lifesaver! Thank you!” She says, jumping from her spot onto me.

“I love you too, sweet-pea,” I say, giving her a quick kiss, letting her get ready for her first date with Alex.

I should be getting ready for mine too. Gosh! I’m going on a date. I haven’t dated since college. Since I had met Michael.

Michael…

Thinking about him now, when I’m getting ready for a ‘diner date’ with Mathieu, I feel like I’m cheating on him. Is this a normal feeling? If it is, I really don’t like it. Not at all.

I still have a hard time thinking he’s never coming home. He helped me heal a little when I was so broken back then. Or so I thought until Mathieu shows back up in my life. I feel so confused. Are the old feeling I used to have that are resurfacing for Mathieu shameful since I was married to Michael? Am I disrespecting Michael’s memories, going out with my old crush?

I have to get my thoughts straight and get ready. Following the same advice, I gave Kaylee, I opt for a darker high waited pair of slim fitted jeans, a cropped black and red camisole, and a black blazer. I re-apply some makeup and I’m ready to go.

Hearing the doorbell ring, I open the door to see a very handsome Alex waiting with a few flowers in his hands.

How sweet of him!

“Alex, come in. You look quite handsome tonight.” I tell him with a smile.  “Kaylee ‘s almost done.”

“Thank you, Tasha.” He says nervously.

“Take a deep breath, you both will be fine!” I tell him, placing my hand on his shoulder, for him to let out a long exhale.

Hearing the click sound of Kaylee’s heals coming this way, Alex seemed to have stopped breathing.

“Woaw… Kaylee… Your beautiful!” He says, looking at her in awe.

“Thank you,” She says shyly.

“Here, these are for you.” He says, giving her the flowers, he was holding.

“They’re so pretty, thank you,” She said, placing them in a vase on the counter.

“Now, you two have fun, but not too much. Curfew is at 12. Do I make myself clear?!” I say, looking at both of them in turn.

“Yes, mam” “Yes, mom, don’t worry,” She says, giving me a quick kiss before heading out with Alex.

After the kids left, I get my bag and head out too. I need to leave now if I don’t want to be late.