Luck or Fate?

An Umbrella

At the end of the day, I walk back to my car and start driving home. There is a light drizzle outside, so I switch on my windshield wipers. I hate driving in the rain. It's always cold and the road is more slippery. I try to drive slower than normal as I stop at a red light. I really hope Henry didn't have to walk home in the rain. As I wait for the light to change, I glance outside and see a grocery store. "Oh! I totally forgot. I need to get more eggs." I tell myself. "I'll just go to Safeway downtown."

As I pull up to the parking lot, I see it's mostly full, so I park on the street. I brace myself for the rain, which is raining down harder now. I grab a rain coat from the trunk of the car and walk down the sidewalk to Safeway. As I cover my face with the hood, I look up and see a man walking toward me. As he gets closer, I see he has the same leather jacket. He carries an umbrella above his head and when he sees me, he walks faster. When he gets close enough, he stops and offers me his umbrella.

"Oh, no. I'm okay. Thank you." I say.

"Please take it, love. I don't need it." He says in a low, charming voice. Then, he takes my hand and puts the umbrella handle in it. Then he smiles at me and starts walking away.

"Wait! I can't take it! How am I going to return it to you?" I say.

"I have a feeling we're going to see each other very soon." he replies, turning away.

I smile a little bit and walk to Safeway. I grab the groceries and return to my car. I put the umbrella in my passenger seat and drive home.

----

When I get home to the apartment, I see Henry sitting on the couch doing homework. He looks up and smiles. "Hey, Mom. How was your day?"

"Good. How was school?" I ask, putting the groceries in the kitchen.

"Pretty good for a Monday. Not so much homework." he says.

"Good. I'm going to make dinner." I turn to make spaghetti and tomato sauce. As I wait for the water to boil, I start thinking about the man in the leather jacket. Two times in a day. How can that be? I really hope he wasn't following me. No, I tell myself, those are just CIA instincts - always thinking of the worst. I start wondering how we will meet next. Will it be tomorrow? This week? And where? I don't really go out much alone. I put the pasta in and heat up the sauce. While setting the table, I keep thinking. Wait, I don't even know his name. I'll find out next time, I think, smiling. As I mix the sauce and spaghetti and place it on the table, I call out to Henry, "Come on Henry. Dinner's ready."

"Okay." he puts down his homework and comes to the table.

As we eat, Henry clears his throat and I look up at him. "Mom, I was thinking about what you said, and I want to hang out with a friend."

"Okay, Henry. Who is it?" I say.

"Um, well, her name is Claire. She's in my English class. I was wondering if we could walk around the city."

"Awww that's cute. Are you asking her out?" I tease him.

"No. We're just friends." he says, his face getting pink.

"I'm okay with it as long as her parents are. Oh! And bring your phone and some money just in case you want to buy her something like, oh I don't know, dinner? The boy is supposed to pay on the first date, did you know?" I say, trying not to laugh.

"Mom!" he says, getting all embarrassed. "This isn't a date."

"I know. I'm only kidding. But can you bring her by the house afterward? I want to meet her."

"Sure. Thanks, Mom." Henry says coming over and hugging me.

"You're welcome, honey. Now go finish your homework. It's getting late." I say, clearing the dishes.

"Okay." he says, walking over and sitting on the couch.

As I put the dishes in the dishwasher, I smile at the thought of Henry and his friend hanging out. Then I think about the man. If Henry has the courage to ask out Claire, I should ask him out. It couldn't be just a coincidence that we met twice today. Could it?