cream cheese stuffed French toast squares ever since I eyed them on the menu. Crave was going to have to consider getting into the brunch business.
“Oh that’s terrific. I’m so glad! Oh honey, I hope you know how proud I am of you.”
We continued to exchange pleasantries while Mom’s drink arrived and we placed an order for about six different tapas that we wanted to try. All thoughts of that morning had been temporarily evicted from my brain in favor of delicious cream cheese filled and bacon wrapped thoughts. But really, aren't those the best kinds of thoughts?
Once the order was placed, Kaila steered the conversation back to my mother, determined to have her out with it. “So. Mom. Enjoying drinks at your favorite brunch spot?”
“Oh I know. You don’t have to be so snarky about it.” Mom rolled her eyes. “Seeing as you’re eager to know, and I’m eager to tell you, let’s get down to it.”
She paused for dramatic effect and took a sip of her guava Bellini. “Anyway,” she continued, enjoying our frustration. “You both know I just got back from my trip.”
“Yes we know!” Kaila howled. “You’re obligatory mid-life crisis or whatever. Don’t tell me you lost all of your money.”
“No Kaila. And there’s nothing ‘mid-life’ about this. I met someone.
She paused for dramatic effect.
“In Vegas ?” I asked.
“Was he dressed like Elvis?” Kaila asked.
“Yes to you Moneka. No to you Kaila.” She pinched her face at my sister's teasing. “ For your information, he was dressed in a smart suit. Armani.”
“Oh, good for you Mom. He’s got bucks.” Kaila looked genuinely impressed. She raised his mimosa and announced, “to Mom and her clearly not-so-degenerate gambler.”
I was less impressed than Kaila. Of course I wanted my mom to be happy, and she did look happy. But she's always been one to dive head first into things and that usually involved her getting hurt. I decided to be happy that she had a good time in Vegas and cautiously optimistic about the rest. “Cheers,” I offered.
“So, tell us more about him.” Kaila leaned forward and dug one hand under her chin. “Was this a one time thing or are you seeing Mr. Millions again?”
“Oh, I’ll be seeing a lot of him.” A Cheshire cat smile spread across her face, giving me a chill.
I didn’t like the way she stressed “a lot”. There was definitely something else here that we weren’t getting. I wished she’d just be out with it.
“What do you mean?” I asked. “Does he live in Boston?”
“Yes. On the North Shore actually. And he’s not a millionaire. But he has made a comfortable life for himself as an architect.”
“Fancy and smart.” Kaila was loving every bit of this.
It was always like Kaila to encourage our mother and than turn around and complain about her to me. We both agreed that she should be more grounded. She should try to think more practically and stop wasting her money and her time on frivolous pursuits that ultimately came to nothing. Kaila would commiserate with me and we would congratulate ourselves on our practicality. But Kaila secretly loved it. She lived vicariously through our mother so she could pretend that she was still practical and feel good about herself. Sometimes I thought that when she encouraged me to take risks, like hook up with Cole, it was only so she could do the same thing. If Kaila found out about the other night, she’d just turn to Sonia and say, “you know, this is why you’ve got to keep a level head”.
“So are we going to get a chance to meet him?” I asked. Trying to be the reasonable one at the table.
“Of course! In fact, I was hoping you’d meet him on Monday.”
“Oh.” I was taken aback by such a specific answer. “Mom you know this is Hell week for me. The restaurant opens in less than a week and there’s still so much to take care of.”
“Which Sonia assures me she can help with.”
“You talked to Sonia?” I was
“Oh that’s terrific. I’m so glad! Oh honey, I hope you know how proud I am of you.”
We continued to exchange pleasantries while Mom’s drink arrived and we placed an order for about six different tapas that we wanted to try. All thoughts of that morning had been temporarily evicted from my brain in favor of delicious cream cheese filled and bacon wrapped thoughts. But really, aren't those the best kinds of thoughts?
Once the order was placed, Kaila steered the conversation back to my mother, determined to have her out with it. “So. Mom. Enjoying drinks at your favorite brunch spot?”
“Oh I know. You don’t have to be so snarky about it.” Mom rolled her eyes. “Seeing as you’re eager to know, and I’m eager to tell you, let’s get down to it.”
She paused for dramatic effect and took a sip of her guava Bellini. “Anyway,” she continued, enjoying our frustration. “You both know I just got back from my trip.”
“Yes we know!” Kaila howled. “You’re obligatory mid-life crisis or whatever. Don’t tell me you lost all of your money.”
“No Kaila. And there’s nothing ‘mid-life’ about this. I met someone.
She paused for dramatic effect.
“In Vegas ?” I asked.
“Was he dressed like Elvis?” Kaila asked.
“Yes to you Moneka. No to you Kaila.” She pinched her face at my sister's teasing. “ For your information, he was dressed in a smart suit. Armani.”
“Oh, good for you Mom. He’s got bucks.” Kaila looked genuinely impressed. She raised his mimosa and announced, “to Mom and her clearly not-so-degenerate gambler.”
I was less impressed than Kaila. Of course I wanted my mom to be happy, and she did look happy. But she's always been one to dive head first into things and that usually involved her getting hurt. I decided to be happy that she had a good time in Vegas and cautiously optimistic about the rest. “Cheers,” I offered.
“So, tell us more about him.” Kaila leaned forward and dug one hand under her chin. “Was this a one time thing or are you seeing Mr. Millions again?”
“Oh, I’ll be seeing a lot of him.” A Cheshire cat smile spread across her face, giving me a chill.
I didn’t like the way she stressed “a lot”. There was definitely something else here that we weren’t getting. I wished she’d just be out with it.
“What do you mean?” I asked. “Does he live in Boston?”
“Yes. On the North Shore actually. And he’s not a millionaire. But he has made a comfortable life for himself as an architect.”
“Fancy and smart.” Kaila was loving every bit of this.
It was always like Kaila to encourage our mother and than turn around and complain about her to me. We both agreed that she should be more grounded. She should try to think more practically and stop wasting her money and her time on frivolous pursuits that ultimately came to nothing. Kaila would commiserate with me and we would congratulate ourselves on our practicality. But Kaila secretly loved it. She lived vicariously through our mother so she could pretend that she was still practical and feel good about herself. Sometimes I thought that when she encouraged me to take risks, like hook up with Cole, it was only so she could do the same thing. If Kaila found out about the other night, she’d just turn to Sonia and say, “you know, this is why you’ve got to keep a level head”.
“So are we going to get a chance to meet him?” I asked. Trying to be the reasonable one at the table.
“Of course! In fact, I was hoping you’d meet him on Monday.”
“Oh.” I was taken aback by such a specific answer. “Mom you know this is Hell week for me. The restaurant opens in less than a week and there’s still so much to take care of.”
“Which Sonia assures me she can help with.”
“You talked to Sonia?” I was
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