After 12 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman to dinner and to the movies.
She said to me: «I love you, but I know that another woman loves you and would like to spend time with you.»
Another woman my wife asked for attention was my mother. She has been a widow for 19 years. But since my job and three children demanded all my strength from me, I could visit her only occasionally.
That evening I called her to invite her to dinner and to the movies.
— What happened? Are you okay? she asked immediately.
My mother is one of those women who immediately tune in to bad news if the phone rings late.
«I thought you’d enjoy spending time with me,» I replied.
She thought for a second, then said, «I really want this.»
Friday after work, I was driving for her and a little nervous. When my car pulled up outside her house, I saw her standing in the doorway and noticed that she seemed to be a little worried too.
She stood at the door of the house, her coat thrown over her shoulders. Her hair was in curls and she wore a dress she bought for her last wedding anniversary.
“I told my friends that my son would spend the evening with me in a restaurant today, and it made a very strong impression on them,” she said, getting into the car.
We went to a restaurant. Although not luxurious, but very beautiful and cozy. My mom took my arm and walked like she was the first lady.
When we sat down at a table, I had to read the menu to her. Mother’s eyes could now only distinguish large print. Having read halfway through, I looked up and saw that my mother was sitting looking at me, and a nostalgic smile played on her lips.
“I used to read every menu when you were little,” she said.
“So it’s time to pay a favor for a favor,” I replied.
We had a very good conversation over dinner. It seems to be nothing special. We just shared the latest events in our lives. But we got so carried away that we were late for the cinema.
When I brought her home, she said: “I will go to a restaurant with you again. Only this time I invite you.»
I agreed.
— How was your evening? my wife asked me when I got home.
— Very well. Much better than I imagined, I replied.
A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack.
It happened so suddenly that I had no chance to do anything for her.
A few days later, I received an envelope with a receipt for payment from the restaurant where my mother and I had dinner. Attached to the receipt was a note: “I paid the bill for our second dinner in advance. The truth is, I’m not sure I can have dinner with you. But, nevertheless, I paid for two people. For you and for your wife.
It is unlikely that I will ever be able to explain to you what that dinner for two to which you invited me meant to me. My son, I love you!»