“Oh. Sorry Aunt Jean. Uh. I think I’ll have lasagne with meat sauce and a glass of Zinfandel. I’m not too well versed on wines but I do know red goes with meat dishes and white with fish. Beyond that, I know little besides what my taste buds tell me.” I said.
“A sensible answer.” She said then looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking. “I think I’ll have the spinach lasagne with a Pinot Noir.” She said as she leaned a little further over toward me. I was just about to ask her about Morgan’s welcome when our waiter, Perry showed up.
“Good evening. I am Perry and I will be your waiter tonight.” He said. “may I start you off with your wine order perhaps?”
I spoke up and gave him our wine choice as well as our meal choice. Perry thanked us for our orders and left to take our choice to the kitchen. Again I was just about ask the question when Aunt Jean spoke up first again.
“I know you’re confused about Morgan’s apparent mistake in naming me your wife.” She said looking me straight in the eye.
“But I meant for that to happen. “ she said and as I opened my mouth to voice another question, she put a finger on my lips to silence me.
“I know it seems odd I would want that impression. I also know that though we are related, we are also only 14 years apart in age. I thought it might be fun to assume the role of a married couple. Lord knows I wish I could have a life-long companion again.” She said softly and looked down at the table but her eyes wouldn’t focus on it.
“I must I am a bit shocked Aunt Jean. I didn’t know you were that lonely. I mean, you look great! I know you’re sixty but you look better than any thirty-something I know.” I said. “I can’t imagine you having any trouble getting dates.”
She smiled, a little sadly then said, “I may look as young as you think you see me but I don’t feel that young anymore. I feel like I’ve missed a good amount of my life trying to make my marriage work and in the end, fail.”
“But..” I cut off as she shook her head slowly.
“I’m too old to be going on dates and making the bar scene or using those online dating sites. I’m sixty and I feel every bit of my age.” She said then lain her head on my shoulder and sighed. “I wish I could go back and fix my current life.”
I thought of my family and the pain it brought back. I looked at the wedding band on my finger then noticed aunt Jean was wearing hers and the question I wanted to ask came to mind again.
“Why are you wearing your wedding band Aunt Jean?” I asked.
She looked at her left hand and gave a half smile. “I guess I wanted to feel like I’m attached to someone and thought maybe you and I could just pretend we were a happy couple but…” she trailed off.
“But what?” I asked. I had a feeling what she meant but wanted her to say it.
“Oh nothing. Just an old woman’s fanciful dream so as not to feel like she’s the last of her generation. Don’t worry Ben. I didn’t want to bring up the hurt you must be feeling having lost your family too. I’m sorry.” She said and started to move out of the booth. He put a hand on hers to stop her. She stilled then looked into his eyes. His eyes were glistening and realizing what she’d done, hers did too and she sat closer to him again.