Blossoms

“How do I look?” Mina twirled in front of Danny.

“Mom you look fine. Just like the other 10 outfits you showed me. They are all beautiful.” Danny hugged his mom.

“I want to make a good impression.” Mina swayed back and forth as she inspected her latest outfit in the mirror.

“Mom, you look nice. You'll make a good impression. Lisa’s father is a nice man.” Danny tussled his mom’s hair.

“Danny.” Mina rushed off to the bathroom to reset her hair.

“We need to go mom, or we will be late. Now, that will make a bad impression.” Danny picked his keys up from the kitchen counter.

“OK. OK.” Mina rushed out from her bedroom supporting a different outfit. “How do I look?”

“Great mom. Great. Please can we just get in the car?” Danny opened the door for his mom and Mina walked through.

“Where are we going again?” Mina asked as both her and Danny got into Danny’s car.

“I’ve booked us a table for 1pm at the Pear Tree restaurant in the valley.” Danny checked his mirrors as he pulled out from the curb.

“That sounds expensive.”

“Don’t worry mom. I’ve got it covered.” Danny smiled at his mom.

“Can you afford that? You have a wedding to plan and pay for.”

“Yes mom. I do ok out of my tech company. You know that.” Danny smiled at his mother. “Please don’t worry about it.” Danny hit the breaks as a car pulled recklessly in front of them causing Mina to flinch.

“Some people. Just don’t look.” Danny pulled around the slow-moving car.

“Anyway, I wouldn’t be surprised if Lisa’s father tries to pay for the meal. It will probably end up in an alpha tug of war and he and I will end up splitting the bill so we can both come out of the event looking good.” Danny smiled at his mom.

“I’m a mother. I worry about my child.” Mina momentarily clasped Danny’s hand in hers.

After about an hour on the road Danny and Mina arrived at the entrance of the Pear Tree restaurant. Danny turned the car into the long driveway that led down to an old stone building that used to be a church. Cherry blossom trees in full bloom lined the driveway that led down to a large open green area in front of the restaurant.

In the middle of the lawn was a single pear tree in bloom. A river meandered down the left side of the property and behind the restaurant. The sound of the water flowing through the riverbed was calming. Danny parked the car, jumped out and opened the car door for his mom.

“Thank you. You’re such a sweet boy.” Mina said as she stepped out of the car. Danny linked his arm through his mom’s and led her to the inside of the restaurant.

The light coming through the leadlight windows danced on the stone walls and the high wooden beams of the ceiling, like hundreds of small colorful fairies flittering around.

“Good afternoon. Welcome to the Pear Tree. How can I help you?” The front of house woman smiled at Danny and Mina.

“Hi, I have a booking for four, under the name of Allard.”

“Ah yes we have a lovely table for you in the alfresco area.” The woman led Danny and Mina outside to the alfresco area and seated them. The table had an unobstructed view of the blossoming pear tree.

Danny sat down and immediately stood back up again and waved to a slim young woman and a tall well built older man, motioning for them to come over to their table. As the young woman approached Danny lent in to give her a quick kiss on the lips. Then he held out his hand to the older man. The man took Danny’s hand and shook it.

“Mom this is Lisa, and this is her father, David.” Danny turned towards his mom. Mina stood up and embraced Lisa then she held her hand out to David and they shook hands. The man looked vaguely familiar to Mina, but she couldn’t quite place him.

Danny pulled out the chair for Lisa and she sat down, then he guided his mom back into her chair. The group started to peruse through the menu.

“I can recommend the filet mignon” David looked up from his menu. Mina smiled but continued to look at David in a very quizzical way. “Do I have something on my chin?” David asked after some time.

“Oh, no. Sorry! Was I staring? It’s just you look so familiar to me. Have we met before?” Mina darted her eyes back to her menu in embarrassment.

“No, I don’t believe so, but you do look vaguely familiar to me too. We must have met each others doppelgangers somewhere along the way.” David stopped in thought for a moment then shrugged it off and continued to read his menu.

Over their meals the group chatted about everything and anything. Conversation came easily and comfortably to them as if they were catching up with old friends. Lisa retold the story of how, her and Danny met and then she moved onto the story of their first date and the proposal.

Danny’s mom was touched that Danny had taken Lisa back to the old barn so many times. It was such a special place for him to share. Then Mina told stories of the old antics Danny got up to on the farm, particularly in the old barn.

After the plates were cleared the waitress returned with the menus so the group could order dessert. She gave the group some time to peruse the menu then returned.

“Are you ready for me to take your order?” the waitress asked as the group nodded in unison.

“Ladies first.” Danny looked at his mom and Lisa.

“I still need a little time. You go Lisa.” Mina motioned at Lisa.

“I don’t even need to think about it. I’ll have the Crème Brule please. It’s my favorite. My mom used to make the best Crème Brule. She used to make one every year for my birthday.” Lisa handed her menu to the waitress. Suddenly, Mina looked up from her menu and looked between David and Lisa.

“The supermarket about 15 years ago.” Mina blurted out in David’s direction.

“Pardon?” Said David with a rising intonation as he looked up from his menu.

“We met in a supermarket about 15 years ago.” Mina continued but it was clear to her that David had no idea what she was talking about. “We both tried to buy the last carton of eggs. You wanted to make Crème Brule for your daughter’s birthday, and I wanted to make a chocolate cake to honor my late husband’s birthday.” Mina added.

“That’s right. I remember now. We worked out that all I needed were the yolks and you could cook your cake with just the whites. I ran home and fetched a recipe you could use.” David continued Mina’s story for her. Both Danny and Lisa looked at each other with puzzled looks on their faces.

“That was the year I cooked dad’s cake using a different recipe.” Mina turned to Danny.

“You mean the year you felt guilty for not cooking the cake exactly the way dad liked it?” Danny replied.

“Yes, until we tasted it. It was heaven. I’ve used that recipe every year since.” Mina turned back to David and smiled.

“Glad you liked it.” David returned the smile. The energy between Mina and David was electric.

“Well fancy us running into each other again.” David winked at Mina. Mina blushed.