Readers,
A friend of mine who knows I'm older and like to write stories about people my age suggested this idea to me. It does have a long build up, as is typical of my work, and it's not too kinky.
If you don't like stories about retired seniors interacting with each other, please move on.
Joeehartley
The date was quickly approaching and Mark was glad that he was not involved in all the hub-bub. He loved his granddaughter and was happy for her, but the chaos surrounding her upcoming wedding was better suited to her mother and friends, not her grandfather.
The nuptials were scheduled for the coming Saturday and located in the back yard where he had played hide and seek with her so many years ago. Was it really that long ago? He had met the young man at the family gatherings. Emily had been going out with him for a couple of years now and everyone seemed to like him. Matt did seem to be a nice boy, I guess if he's getting married, he's a man.
Mark had talked with him only a couple of times, but each time he seemed respectful and had a plan for his future. Mark liked him too and got the impression that Matt actually loved his granddaughter.
Mark's only task now was to show up with the wedding gift he purchased at the store where Emily and Matt had registered. The list made things so much easier. Mark didn't need to understand why young people wanting some of these items, he only had to write the check for the item he picked out. They even wrapped his gift for him and made sure no-one else bought the same thing. Nothing worse than getting twelve toasters, hell there was not even one toaster on this list.
The wedding was still five days away, so he decided to get a haircut, he didn't want to appear too shabby on his favorite girl's big day. He did not need a tux, or whatever the wedding party was wearing, but he did need to look good and he dropped off the suit he planned to wear at the dry cleaners who promised a two-day turnaround.
Linda would have loved to be involved in the wedding planning, but the bride-to-be wasn't related to her yet. She had met Emily several times and her grandson talked about her almost non-stop. It was obvious to anyone paying attention that these two were in love.
She remembered as if it were yesterday, driving him to his soccer practice and how could she forget his tenth birthday and the Harry Potter theme. She told her daughter that she would be happy to make the cake for him and there was no need to buy one. She worked for hours making that Sorting Hat birthday cake. It was hard to believe that her grandson was now getting married.
She had taken this opportunity to buy a new dress; it wasn't often she had an opportunity to dress up. She was scheduled to have her hair done on the Friday before the wedding. She had already gotten her gift. She had the Vitamixer blender wrapped and ready to go. Matt and Emily both enjoyed their morning smoothies over what Linda considered traditional eggs and toast breakfast.
The day of the wedding appeared to be perfect. A mild breeze kept the sun from being too hot. The temperature hovered between 72 and 75. Most considered this perfect. Everyone arrived on time and the Justice of the Peace, being a family friend was also invited to the reception after her official duties were discharged.
The music flowed and bride looked fabulous standing next to her handsome groom. The vows were exchanges following everyone's favorite--the kiss. Every camera clicked and flashes went off. The bride and groom turned each wearing a huge smile and greeting their friends and relatives as a newly married couple.
They left along with the brides' maids and grooms' men for the professional photos while the guest filed by the tables of food and the caterers.
Each guest found the table and seat with their name tag and after a bit of introductions all around, the meal was addressed. The bride's family had hired a good caterer; the food was fantastic. The bride and groom made their rounds talking with all the guest. Mark and Linda were seated at the same table and they were soon to find out why. It seems as if their grandchildren thought that the two of them would make a nice couple and informed each of them that they were both single and in need of a companion.
Both Mark and Linda were somewhat embarrassed; it had been decades since anyone set them up on a blind date. The kids insisted that they chat and get to know each other and they would quiz them later.
"So, it seems as if we've been set up," Mark said after the newlyweds left them alone. Everyone else that had been at the table was now on the dance floor, so they had no choice but to talk with each other.
"It does seem that way, doesn't it," Linda agreed.
They spent the next couple of hours getting to know each other and found that they liked each other. Both had lost their spouse ten years ago and had tried the dating scene, but soon found out that the people they met there were mostly after money. They both saw their families every other month or so and each had a circle of friends, but none that close. Linda went to a crafting group once a week and Mark went to an open studio to practice his art. Both felt it necessary to exercise, but found it boring.
They found out that they lived less than a mile apart and agreed to meet for a walk along a trail that Mark knew. Linda wanted to know if he knew any of the birds along that trail. He didn't, but Linda offered to point out some. She hadn't been birding, as she called it, in several years. Mark offered that he had bird feeders at his house, but didn't know the names of the birds he fed.
"I must admit that this has been a good first date," Linda commented.
"I agree. I'm not much of a dancer, but would you care to dance?" Mark responded.
"I actually think it is expected that we do, and if the truth be known I don't dance well either. Apparently, I have two left feet," Linda added.
Together they found the dance floor and noticed their grandchildren both giving them a thumbs up.
"I think they expect us to leave together," Linda commented as soon as Mark's hands were around her.
"I wouldn't be opposed to that, but we have just met. If you don't think that might be rushing things a bit, that might be a very pleasant ending to a very pleasant evening," Mark responded.
"We're not teenagers anymore and I don't know about you, but I don't have a curfew. I find you attractive and I've heard that you can tell how good of a lover a guy is, by how good of a dancer he is," Linda commented.
"So how am I doing?" Mark asked.
Linda moved in closer, put her head on his shoulder. She placed her lips close to his ear and whispered, "Fantastic."
They finished their dance and said their goodbyes to the people they knew. They came back together to talk with their grandchildren.
"Well, so far, your little ruse has paid off. We like each other and we are not ready to say good night to each other yet," Linda addressed the newlyweds.
"I knew you two would hit it off, grandma. I only had to talk with Mark for a short time before I was convinced that you two had to get together. You have so much in common," Matt said.
"Yeah, Grandpa, I knew it too after I talked with Linda. Matt and I talked and tried to find a way to get you two together," Emily said.
"And the only thing you two college grads could come up with was to invite us both to your wedding?" Mark said with a laugh.
Emily laughed and replied, "It worked, didn't it? You two go have fun and I want to hear all about it."
