Rutabaga Scrapped Book

Untitled Ron DeChant

Started May 2020

Ron groaned as he laid across Dustin's couch. He had gone to him because, when all else failed, maybe Dustin had a grain of intelligence actually to him and could give him some good advice. Or at least some half-assed advice that Ron could find some helpful ideas in.

"No, but I need a date for this stupid thing and I literally don't even have a single person in mind that I could bring!" Ron exclaimed, putting his arm behind his head as he stared up at the high ceiling.

"So? Who says you need a date?" Dustin asked, continuing to play with his iPad as he sat in the chair by Ron's head.

"My mother!" he reminded Dustin harshly. He loved his friend, but sometimes, the man was so dense.

"Oh, right," Dustin mumbled under his breath. He sighed and set down his iPad, looking at Ron. "Look, I have a friend, her name is Macy Ray, I can see if she'll be your date to the wedding." Ron sat up, looking at the man gratefully.

"Really? Thanks, man!" Dustin rolled his eyes, taking his iPhone and shooting the girl a text.

A week before Lauren's wedding, Ron followed Dustin into the coffee shop, the latter fussing over his friend's blond hair.

"Dustin! Stop! I look fine! Why are you acting like this?" He swatted away the man's hands from his head.

"No reason," he replied quickly, turning around to face forward. The two got their coffee, ordering an extra one for Macy, who was to meet them there. They found a table in the quiet shop, sitting back to enjoy their lattes. Ron always found Dustin's taste in coffee funny, fitting more of a twenty-year old girl than a nearly middle aged man.

The bell on the door ringed, signaling a new arrival to the shop. A tall brunette walked in, moving her sunglasses up onto the top of her head. She was beautiful. Long brown hair tumbled down her back and her blue eyes shined as she looked around the shop. A white smile overtook her features as she noticed Ron and Dustin in the corner. Her sandals made a soft slapping noise on the floor as she crossed over to them.

"Dustin! It's been so long!" she exclaimed, accepting his hug before sitting down with the pair. She pushed her hair off of her flowy white tank top, accepting the coffee Dustin handed her.

"How have you been, Macy?" Dustin asked, a smile on his face as he looked at the girl.

"Great!" she answered, looking over at Ron. "So this is my wedding date," she said as she scanned him over with her eyes. He smiled in a friendly way.

"Hi, I'm Ron DeChant," he introduced himself.

"Macy Ray," she said, shaking his hand. "So, tell me Ron. Why couldn't you get a date on your own?" Ron swallowed his coffee roughly, his eyes widening.

"I-I uh," he stammered, trying to remember how to use his words. "I couldn't think of anyone," he finally stumbled out.

"Oh, well then," Macy smiled, taking a drink of her coffee. She smiled, looking over at Dustin. "I see why you keep him. He's cute."

The day of Lauren's wedding, Ron stood back, watching his sister mingle with her friends, taking slow sips of a beer. Macy walked over to him slowly. Her light blue halter top dress brought out her eyes dramatically. Ron couldn't help but find himself staring into them every time he looked at her.

"She looks beautiful," she said, placing her hand on Ron's shoulder. He nodding, smiling at how much his little sister had grown up.

"She does," he agreed. "I'm so proud of her." Macy smiled up at him.

"I can see why." Ron smiled back at the younger woman, putting his arm around her shoulders in a friendly manner.

"Ron!" his mother called for him. She made eye contact with him and made a beeline over for him and Macy. Ron sighed, smiling all the same. "So, this is Macy! It's so nice to meet you!" Ron let go of his date so his mother could hug the woman with him.

"Hi, Mrs. DeChant. Its lovely to meet you, too," she greeted her tactfully.

"It's so nice to get to meet the young woman my son is dating." Ron's eye widened at his mother's assumption.

"It's so nice to meet the woman who raised him!" Ron really was speechless now. He hadn't mentioned anything to his mother that he and Macy were dating, nor had he told Macy that his mother thought that. He was the only one out of the loop now.

"Awe, you're too sweet, Macy," she exclaimed, pulling her in for another hug. "I better get back to  your father," she told Ron. "I'll see you two lovebirds in a bit for dinner." With that, she left with a grin. Ron still stood like a tree.

"Ron, are you okay?" Macy asked, placing both hands on his shoulders. When he didn't respond, she shook him a little. "Earth to Ron, you in there?"

"I did not tell her you were my girlfriend," he answered. Macy paled as well.

"I am so sorry, Ron. I had no idea. She just said it and I just assumed-" Ron cut her off quickly.

"No, don't apologize. I should have made sure she knew before hand," he apologized. She shook her head.

"Well, we can't do anything about it now," she sighed, both of them stopping their panic to listen to the announcement to go to dinner.

They slowly made their way into the large room, sitting down at their assigned seats. Ron's parents and his brother and his date made their way over to the table, taking their seats as well. As soon as they sat down, conversations launched about the wedding, and more importantly to his mother, getting to know Macy better.

"So, how did you two meet?" she gushed, leaning toward Macy as she waited for an answer.

"Through Dustin, actually. I grew up with his brother," she explained politely. She handled each question without a single hitch. Ron was beginning to relax, concocting a plan to get them out of the situation.

"How about a family dinner this coming week?" his mom asked, looking at her husband and two sons.

"Yeah, sure," Ron agreed.

"Now, you have to make sure you bring this little gem you found," his dad told him, pointing at Macy. "She's fantastic! And she's keeping you quiet some how," he laughed. Ron's breath stopped.

"Yeah, if you're free, of course," he said to Macy, his eyes terrified.

"I'd absolutely love to. Thank you!" She beamed at the older couple. Ron internally groaned and began to tuck into his dinner, giving up on the whole situation.

Ron drove Macy home that night, walking her up to her front door.

"Hey, I'm sorry about everything," he apologized, leaning against the wall by the door.

"Don't worry about it. Your family is great. If anything, I'd be happy to be your mom's friend, even if I do have to put up with you, too," she said with a teasing wink. He smiled, looking down at his dress shoes.

"So, I'll text you about dinner this week?"

"You'd better," she smiled, opening her door and walking in, bidding him good night before shutting the door.

Ron was screwed and he had a feeling it would be in a good way. He felt calm about it.