Going to the Chapel by Janet Tronstad

both of your parents,” I say to Doug. I am feeling it’s okay if we have some bond between us after all, so I tell him a little of my story. “My dad died, but my mother just moved to Las Vegas and left me with Aunt Inga.”
    “That had to be hard, too,” Doug says. “It took me a long time to get over feeling bad because I was an orphan. As long as I had the aunts, though, I had somebody.”
    “Yeah.” I know what he means, but I don’t want him to think I’m too pathetic so I add, “My mother would have taken me to live with her if she had room for me in Vegas.”
    “If my parents had lived, I would have stayed in a closet just to be with them. So you’re lucky. You get to see your mother. At least, I assume you do.”
    “Yeah, I do.” I haven’t felt lucky about that for a long time.
    “Anyway, I have been looking at myself in the mirror lately and wishing I was a better person,” Doug says. “I might have issues, but that’s no reason to let other people down. That goes double for last week. I shouldn’t have split on you like I did. I’m really very sorry.”
    Okay, so I guess I have to forgive him. That doesn’t mean I’m going all gooey over him or anything, it just means that fair is fair. He spilled his problems and we talked. He apologized. It’s time for me to accept his apology—almost.
    “Yeah, well, I just want to say I would never pressure some guy to have a relationship with me.” I want to get this into the conversation before Doug apologizes for everything under the sun. “I know I needed a date. But I never thought that meant anything more than that you were doing me a favor. That’s all.”
    “Like I’ve said, it didn’t turn out to be much of a favor.”
    “Just so you know that I know there’s no commitment involved. We’re both commitment free.”
    I’m trying to be as clear here as possible.
    “It’s not that kind of commitment that was giving me a problem,” he says and his voice is soft. “If I’d thought about it for two seconds, I would have known it’s the look-at-my-life kind of commitment that’s bothering me. That’s what’s been bothering me for months. I think that’s why your aunt pushed my buttons so easy. Not that it’s her fault. She seems like a nice lady.”
    “I haven’t heard many people call Aunt Ruth nice. Effective maybe. Nice no.”
    Doug laughs. “She just comes on a little strong. She reminds me of one of my aunts. I think I could handle her okay next time.”
    Well, that sounds promising. I don’t want to rush in and ask if he’ll be my date for the rehearsal dinner and wedding yet, but it is promising. “One good thing about Aunt Ruth is that she always puts out wonderful food at her parties. She never skimps on what she serves. Did you get some of those crab-stuffed mushrooms before you left?”
    “I’m afraid I just left when I left.”
    I don’t know why, but it makes me feel better to know that Doug didn’t make a stop at the buffet table on his way out of Elaine’s party. I would rather be left standing because of honest issues instead of a craving for crab appetizers. “I hear Aunt Ruth is planning prime rib and lobster for the rehearsal dinner.”
    I’m being optimistic here and assuming there’ll be a place to have the rehearsal dinner. Finding a placefor a sit-down catered dinner won’t be easy, but I’m sure Aunt Ruth will find it.
    Doug whistles. “Prime rib and lobster. If you need a date for that one, I’m your man. That is, if you still want me to go with you after the last time. I promise I won’t get cold feet. I mean, if you need a date—I wasn’t sure after Cassie talked to me later if you needed a date or not.”
    The tension in my shoulders eases. “Oh, I need one. And thanks. I don’t know where the dinner will be yet, but I appreciate the offer.”
    “No problem. In fact, I need someone to go someplace with me and I thought of you so I’m really glad you called,” Doug