Prom With My Mom

Tonight, I was going to my blind date. It's been a long time since I've been on a date, especially after the death of my husband Mike.

The image of him usually makes my stomach drop and then the memories of our teenage years come back. Our first kiss, our first date, our first child at just twenty one. Mike was my everything. His brown curly hair, wide and dazzling smile and his soft chocolate skin...

I shook off these thoughts as I got out of the shower and walked to my room to change into my dress. As I walked through the hallway, I could hear video games being played in my son's Taylor's room. Usually I would let this go because he would usually come home from a tiring day at school plus an evening of skating with his friends. Yet, tonight was Prom.

I never got to go to prom because I was considered that geeky girl meaning I had few to no friends and not a date in sight. Taylor's a pretty cool kid if I do say so myself but I guess he didn't get a date because he was never taught to. Mike died when Taylor was just nine.

I knocked on Taylor's door and then poked my head in. His room was dark and the only light was coming from the TV and from his phone.

"Hi Mom," he said. " Are you ready for your date?"

I kept looking around his room. "No, not yet."

"Don't keep that lucky guy waiting." He said this with a slight chuckle.

"Isn't today Prom?"

He scoffed and then kept playing. " That's not for me."

"Why not?"

"Because I would like to go with my friends but they're not into that crap and then again, I have no date."

We both remained silent for a while till he stopped his video game and looked at me.

"I'm a loser mom."

I started to walk towards him but then he got up and walked out of his room and went outside.

I got an idea

I went to my room and went to Mike's side of the closet, taking out his tuxedo. I took some of his cologne along with two corsages. Mike was actually going to ask me to Prom but both of us were shy around that time so I ended up going and he ended up going by himself.

I changed into my dress and went to call my blind date.

"Hello,"

"Hi, this is Jane," I said, a little nervously. "I'm calling to say that I can't go on a date with you tonight. It's an emergency."

"What kind of emergency?"

"I'm bringing my son to Prom." And I hung up.

I quickly ran outside with the tuxedo and corsages in hand. When I got in the car, Taylor looked at me as if I had five heads.

"Mom, what are you doing?"

"Change into this," I handed him the tuxedo. " We're going to prom."

"Mom, no offense but you're-"

"Oh Taylor, I'm only thirty nine. Now go in the back and change."

He shrugged his shoulders and went to the back of car to change. While I drove to the hotel, I started to feel a sort of

excitement. It wasn't the coolest thing to bring your mom to Prom but I didn't want him to miss the biggest highlight of his high school life.

We finally got to the hotel and I fixed his corsage.

"Okay, you ready?"

"Do I have a choice?" he asked and then he gave me his father's smile.

We walked in together with my arm in his.

"Hey, Taylor!" a group of girls called from their table.

We walked towards them.

"I never thought I would see you here," said a red head. "And you brought your mom?"

I could feel Taylor tighten up.

"That's so cute," they all squealed, and then one turned to me. "You have such a sweet son."

"I just had to find the most beautiful date of all." said Taylor and the girls squealed even more. Just like his father with that sweet guy personality.

We danced, took pictures with him and his friends and joked around. Then they were going to announce Prom King and Queen.

"Our Prom King is Kevin Furtado."

There was a round of applause. He used to be Taylor's playdate.

"And our Prom Queen is Taylor Phillip's mom."

I didn't know what came over me but I ended up screaming and running to the stage to get my crown. From the stage, I found Taylor clapping and from that moment, I saw Mike clapping. Then he cupped his hands around his mouth and mouthed, "I love you."

Then I smiled and mouthed "I love you too."