Page 11 of Mama's Boy
“Sounds perfect.”
* * * *
Sunday Morning
Chase’s mother called at nine the next morning.Chase groaned.He and Rowan had walked the boards and sat on the benches talking until two and he wasn’t quite ready to get out of bed yet, but duty called.
Chase picked up the phone.“Hello, Mom.”
“I hope I didn’t wake you up or disturb you.”Chase chuckled at the idea of his mother contemplating him having an overnight guest.
Chase got out of bed and padded into the bathroom.“Mom, can I call you right back?I just woke up and just so you know, I’m alone.”Chase did his business and went down the hall to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee.As soon as he had his first cup, he called his mother back.“Mom, it’s me.”
“I know who it is.I’ve been listening to your voice for twenty-nine years.So, how was your date?”
“I had a nice time.We went to the beach and it rained midafternoon, so he took me to his house to watch the Yankees play Baltimore.We watched the game and then went out to dinner.After that we walked the boards.”Chase thought he summed up his evening succinctly without giving her too much room for conjecture.“How was your evening?”Chase wanted to know a little more about John Schwartz.
“John loved my pot roast.He has a house in Ocean Township in the Wayside area.He didn’t want to sell it after his wife passed because he wanted a place for the grandchildren to come.But he’s thinking about selling it now because most of the time he goes to his son’s house rather than the reverse.He wants a condo like mine.Something that has the room he needs but where he doesn’t have to do all the maintenance.He wants to keep seeing me after the driving lessons are over.John said he hasn’t met a woman he liked so much in a long time.”That was a long speech for his mother.Chase mulled that over in his mind.
“That’s really nice, Mom.”
“He wants to meet you.”
Chase almost spit out his coffee.“Isn’t it a little soon for that?”
“How much time do you think I have?If I let the grass grow under my feet, I might wait until it’s growing over my head.”Chase had to stifle a chuckle.Meeting John Schwartz got promoted on his to do list.
“Mom, don’t be ridiculous.You’re in the prime of life.Obviously, Mr.Schwartz thinks so.”
“You’re such a good boy sometimes, Chase.”
“Only sometimes, Mom?”Chase finished his coffee and poured himself another cup.
“Now you stop teasing me.I’ve got to go to get ready for my lesson.”
“He’s giving you a lesson on Sunday?”He put his mug back on the counter.
“Yes, that’s so I’ll be ready to take the test.I’ll be busy today instead of our usual Sunday dinner.That’s why I called so early, so you could make other plans.”
“Okay, Mom.I’m sure I’ll find something to do.”Chase said, giving his mother a little guilt payback.
“What don’t you call your new young man and go to the movies?”
“Maybe I will.”
* * * *
Rowan got up early, even though he’d been out late with Chase.As he put on a pot of coffee he thought about the man with whom he spent most of the previous day.He’s adorable.I had such a good time.What time is it?It’s only nine.I want to call him but what excuse can I use?I know, I’ll ask about his sunburn.But I have to wait until a respectable hour.I’ll call him at ten.
Rowan did a load of wash and put it in the dryer.He looked at the clock, nine forty-five.Oh hell, what difference does fifteen minutes make?
Rowan picked up the phone.Then he put it down and picked it up again.Get a hold of yourself.You’re acting like you’re back in high school.If you want to call him, do it.But don’t sit there wavering about it.Pushing the buttons he brought up Chase’s number and hit call.
“Hello.”Chase sounded awake.
“Hi, it’s Rowan.I hope I didn’t wake you up.I wanted to tell you what a good time I had yesterday.”Rowan sat down, placing his coffee on the end table in the sunroom and sat hoping for a long conversation.
“I’m glad to hear your voice.What are you doing?”Chase asked.
