Help Needed

“Mom, could you help me out with something? I need a date.” Amanda waited patiently while her mother digested this new turn of events. She smiled to herself as she imagined what her mother's face must look like at the other end of the phone line.

“A date?”

“Yes mom, you heard me, I need a date. It's nothing personal, I just need to bring someone to the charity event we're putting on in two weeks. Boss' orders.” She paused and sighed, loud enough for her mother to hear. “He can't have his sales manager be single you know. It could reflect badly on his company or something.”

“Oh... I thought...”

“I'm sorry mom. I know you care, but I just don't have the time. Things should calm down a bit once the season is over. I'll try and get out a bit then.” Amanda smiled. She'd heard you sounded happier if you smiled into the phone when you spoke to someone. “Maybe I'll meet someone nice. Who knows?”

“Amanda, please promise me you will do that. You know how I worry about you. You're not getting any younger.”

“Mom, please. We've had this conversation.” She paused and forced the smile on again. “I'll try and get out and meet someone after the season is over. I promise. Do you think you could help me find a date? Friday the fourteenth – someone quiet and reserved. Afternoon til' late.”

The line went quiet.

“Mom, are you there?”

“Yes, yes, I'm here dear. I'm no dating service you know.”

“Mom.” The smile was gone now. “You've been trying to hook me up with guys for the past ten years. Why is it that when I finally ask for your help you get cold feet?”

“Amanda Lorinda Storvakin.” Her mother was definitely not smiling. “I brought you up to be a respectable woman. I won't have you make use of some nice young man just to keep up appearances. There are escort services for that.”

“What! Mom, wait.” Amanda yelled into the phone, but her mother had already hung up.