He Snubbed My Mom, I Swapped Grooms

Synopsis

After seven years of dating Eric Huges, my mom, Susan Smith, finally agreed to meet him. We were in a private room at a restaurant. Susan had set down her cup when Eric's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, stood up, and smiled at her. "Mrs. Smith, I need to handle something really quick. I'll be right back," he said. After the door closed, steam still rose from the fish on the table, and the oil gradually lost its color. The waiter came in twice to refill our cups, and the third time, he asked if we wanted the dishes reheated. When Eric finally came back, his sleeve carried a strong rose fragrance. Susan set down her fork without asking where he had been. She gave me a look. That look hurt more than if she had called me a disappointment. Eric sat back down next to me and pushed the menu toward Susan. "Mrs. Smith, there was a bit of trouble at the shop. The new girl couldn't handle a customer, so I had to go help out," Eric explained. She shot back, "So because she couldn't handle it, you thought it was okay to leave your elders waiting?" Eric froze for a second, then forced a sheepish smile. "That's not what I meant. Chloe Grant, that girl, was dealing with her first major order, and she was crying her eyes out. I couldn't leave her like that," Eric said. I said, "Today's the first time my mom meets you." He put his hand on the back of my chair, his voice softening as he used to when comforting me. "Olivia, you know me best. We've been together for so many years. You're not really going to let something this trivial bother you, are you?" he coaxed. Susan lowered her head and took a sip of cold water. She was wearing that deep green coat she kept hidden away for special occasions. Before we left, she even asked me if the collar looked too worn. Dad bought her that coat before he was gone. She'd been waiting for this meal for seven years. Eric noticed the tension and waved the waiter over to bring out some fresh soup. His phone buzzed again. He didn't answer, set it face down on the table. Chloe's name was still lit up on the screen, impossible to ignore. Susan stood up. "I'm full," she said. Eric stood up right after her. "Let me walk you out, Mrs. Smith," he offered. Susan looked at him, her voice gentle and quiet. "Don't trouble yourself. Busy people should stick to their own affairs," she said. As she walked out of the private room, her back was slightly hunched. I followed behind, hearing Eric sigh behind me. "Olivia, does your mom have something against me?" he asked. I stopped at the doorway. "She saw what I've never dared to face all these years," I said. Eric frowned. "Don't make such a big deal out of it. Chloe's a young girl. I'm helping her out; what's the harm?" he said. I didn't say anything. Three days later, I got my marriage certificate. And the groom wasn't Eric.