A perfect beginning

Looking to evade her family’s matchmaking scheme, Elaine enlists a friend as a faux date that leads to real feelings on New Year’s Eve

- Marcella Robinson

Elaine needed to find a date to the New Year’s Eve Midnight Ball before her daughter and granddaughter meddled and found one for her.

At the moment, they were at her kitchen table, oohing and ahhing at pictures on the over-50 dating site.

“It’s for companionship, Mom. New year, new you,” her daughter, Kelly, explained.

“What’s wrong with the current me?”

“Nothing. You don’t have to fall in love. Just have fun,” Kelly said, her attention turning to the computer.

“Oh, he’s cute,” Maddie, Kelly’s daughter, said, pointing at the screen.

“He is,” Kelly agreed.

Elaine peered over their shoulders. The man in the photo was handsome, but… “I’m, uh, seeing someone,” she suddenly blurted.

Kelly and Maddie looked up in surprise.

“Who?” Kelly asked. “Is he cute?” Maddie asked with curiosity.

Elaine glanced out the window to the house next door. “Vince.”

“Hardware store Vince?” Kelly’s disbelief was obvious.

“He’s cute,” Maddie cheerily chimed in while sending Kelly a knowing glance.

To Elaine, Vince was more than cute. Seriously, no man should ever look that good in flannel.

“Is he taking you tomorrow night?” Kelly asked.

“We haven’t talked about it.” That was true. The last thing they talked about was the clog in her kitchen sink.

“You should ask him, Mom,” Kelly said.