Page 119 of Someone to Remember
“Sounds perfect. Thanks for thinking about the public aspect.”
“Let me help you out so you don’t break an ankle.”
He comes around the truck to give me a hand out.
“That’s a big drop.”
“Mary Alice hated this thing and refused to ride in it.” He tucks my hand into his arm and glances my way. “Is it okay to tell you that? I’m not sure what the rules of dating as a widow are.”
“Mention of late spouses is allowed and encouraged. I don’t understand why anyone would be jealous or threatened by someone who’s dead.”
“Exactly. How stupid is that?”
“It’s nice to know I’m hanging out with someone who’s capable of all the things that come with a serious relationship, you know?”
“Definitely an advantage to dating someone who hasn’t experienced what we have.”
He holds the door to the restaurant for me and ushers me inahead of him into a cozy space with almost every table occupied and a crowd at the bar. “I have a reservation for two,” he tells the hostess. “Brad Albright.”
“Right this way,” she says, smiling as she leads us to a quiet table in the back corner.
On the way, I notice a woman looking at me, but I keep moving, hoping she doesn’t recognize me.
“I saw that lady looking at you,” he says when we’re seated. “Do you feel okay about staying?”
“I’m not sure she knows who I am. I hope she doesn’t. And yes, I’m fine with staying. This is nice.”
“Glad you like it. I haven’t been here in ages, since before…”
“Is it hard to come back?”
“Not like I thought it would be. I debated bringing you somewhere I’d been with Mary Alice, but I knew it was more private than a lot of other places we could’ve gone.”
“It’s totally fine. You did good. Thank you for thinking of the privacy factor.”
“Brad? I thought that was you! Welcome back.”
He’s startled by the appearance of a pretty young woman with dark blonde hair in a ponytail and a friendly smile. She glances at me and does a double take when she realizes I’m not Mary Alice.
“Oh, um…”
“Hey, Callie. How are you?”
She’s so rattled to see him with someone other than his wife that she can barely function. “I, um, I’m good.”
“Did you hear that my wife died last year?”
“I didn’t. Oh my goodness. I’m so sorry. She was a lovely person.”
“Yes, she was. Callie, this is my friend Angela. Angela, Callie and her husband are the restaurant owners.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I say.
“Yes, you, too.” She’s obviously undone by the news ofMary Alice’s passing. Her attention returns to Brad. “Are you… You’re doing okay?”
“As well as can be expected. Single parenthood is a big adjustment.”
“I’m sure it is. Well, I’ll let you enjoy your dinner. It’s nice to see you.”
