Tierney Hart made her way through the crowded student union building at Columbia University in search of her study partner for her ancient history class. She spotted her at a table sipping a soda.
"Hey," She said almost out of breath, "Sorry I'm a bit late but by lab ran long."
"It's okay. I've just been going over some notes from class." Avery Wainwright replied smiling
"I'm glad we decided to pair up. You seem to know a lot more than I do." Tierney admitted, "History isn't my best subject."
"Well, I have to admit my mother is totally into it, especially Egypt and Rome. She teaches here, in fact, not history, English. Professor Edwards."
"Professor Edwards is your mom?" She asked, "A couple of my sorority sisters have her. I heard she's killer."
"She's always all over me about my school work." Avery said, "Not as much now but in high school. She was so worried about what college I would get into."
"Edwards? But that's not your last name." She observed
"Well, my mom didn't change her name when she married my dad. She was older and established in a journalism career. When that got to be too demanding she started teaching."
"Oh, so what does your dad do?"
Avery looked away for a moment, "He died almost a year ago, heart attack. He was a lawyer."
"Oh, I'm sorry. My parents are divorced. My dad goes between here and Los Angeles with his business and my mom is in Europe a lot. She's an architect and designs buildings overseas most of the time."
"So, Did either of your parents remarry? Any wicked step parents?"
Tierney laughed, "No, they've been divorced since I was eight but they both focused on me and their work. No time for that I guess but I think my dad is pretty lonely. He just tries to fill up his time with work especially now that I'm not at home anymore."
Avery sighed, "Yeah, my mom hasn't started dating or anything. Don't get me wrong, I loved my dad and miss him very much but I know he wouldn't want her to be alone the rest of her life."
Tierney thought for a moment, a smile forming on her lips and a plan in her mind, "Hey, why don't we fix them up together?"
"What?"
She smiled again and her blue eyes twinkled, "Yeah," She paused thinking some more, "I've got it. We have this project to do so why don't you and your mom come over for dinner tomorrow night? We can study after and they can get to know each other."
Avery shook her head, "I don't know. My mom would smell a fix up."
"Well, we don't have to tell them about each other."
"Then I would really get it if I sand bagged her like that."
"Okay okay, we'll tell them. Come on, they might just hit it off."
She sighed again, "Okay, I'll ask her but don't get your hopes up."
Tierney smiled again, "Good, now let's get to work on this project."
They both laughed and opened their books.
/
Tierney made her way down to her father's office in Manhattan for their weekly dinner together. She was going to bring up Avery and her mother but had to do so carefully. He would smell a fix up too. Getting off the elevator she approached his secretary.
"Hi Connie, is my dad ready?"
"Hi sweetheart, yes I believe he's off the phone now."
She smiled, "Thanks." She entered his office and her father stood up to greet her.
"Hi baby." He said hugging her, "How did I get so lucky?"
"Lucky?" She asked
"To have the prettiest girl in town for my date." He winked
"Dad, you say that every week."
"And I mean it every week. So where would you like to go?"
"Hmm…how about 21?"
"Why not?" he smiled and offered her his arm as they walked out of the office
/
As they ate she caught him up on her classes and goings on at school then decided it was time to mention dinner with Avery and her mother.
"Dad, I have this project I'm working on with another girl in my ancient history class and I'd like to invite her over to our place for dinner tomorrow night."
"You want to come over to my apartment for dinner tomorrow?" He asked
"Yeah, it's hard to find a good place to study sometimes and it's better than the library, more comfortable." She explained
"Well, that's fine with me. I'll let Marie know to expect you." He replied taking a bite of his chocolate mousse
"Um, there's more." She began nervously
He looked at her knowingly, "I knew I smelled some kind of set up."
"Well, she's bringing her mother." Tierney explained
"Her mother?" he asked then it all came together, "Don't tell me you two girls are trying to fix your parents up?"
"No…"
"Sweetheart, I know you mean well but I don't need fixing up."
"You never go out with anyone. You work too hard and just go home unless you have some business function to go to…and always alone, I might add."
"Tierney…"
"Dad, it's only dinner. Her mother is a professor in the English department."
He sighed heavily, "I don't know why I'm doing this but okay. Just don't expect anything."
She smiled slyly, "Of course not, Daddy."
/
Avery approached her mother's office knowing she was still there working at almost seven o'clock. She didn't expect this to be easy but her mother really needed to get back out there. She knocked on her open door.
Her mother looked up and smiled, "Hi sweetheart. What a nice surprise. I wasn't expecting you. I thought you had night class on Thursdays." She got up and greeted her with a kiss on the cheek
"Professor Adams went out of town for his father-in-law's funeral, remember? He couldn't get a sub on such short notice. I just had dinner with some friends and thought I'd stop by."
She eyed her daughter suspiciously, "Hmm…you have that look."
"What look?"
"That look…that 'I've flunked out of college or I'm pregnant look'…you aren't, are you?"
She rolled her eyes, "No, Mom, to both of those. I just need to ask you something."
Her mother went back around to her desk and sat back down, "Alright, shoot."
Avery sat down opposite her setting her book bag on the floor, "Well, I have this project I'm working on with this girl in my ancient history class and she's invited me over to her dad's for dinner tomorrow night and to study. It's quieter there and more comfortable than the library."
"Well, that's sounds nice." She said not sure exactly what her daughter was up to
"There's just one thing."
"I knew it." Her mother said, "What?"
"You're invited, too." Avery answered
She gave her daughter a puzzled look, "Me? Why? Oh, wait, no, no, you are not fixing me up, Avery Claire Wainwright."
"But it's not really a fix up. It's the four of us having dinner." She tried to explain
"Uh huh, and what are her father and I supposed to do while you study?"
"Well, you could talk, or if it's that bad we can go separately so you can leave and I can stay to study."
"Avery, I don't know why you girls cooked this up. I don't need a man." She insisted
"But you never go out. Aunt Claire says you always find an excuse when she tries to fix you up." She said referring to her father's sister who had become her mother's closest friend over the years
"That's because your Aunt Claire drags me to singles bars."
"But this is dinner at their home."
"Honey, I know you mean well, but I'm just not ready." She explained
"Mom, I miss Daddy too. I always will, but you don't need to be alone. Besides, what's the harm in dinner?"
She sighed heavily, "Alright, alright. But, don't count on this little scheme of yours working."
Avery just smiled, her autumn eyes twinkling.
/
Tierney was giving the table one last check. Marie had made her famous tenderloin with a Caesar Salad and roasted potatoes. The heavenly smell wafted through the elegant high rise apartment. Her father came in from the bedroom straightening his tie.
"Do I look presentable enough?" he asked
She came over and gave his tie and slight adjustment, "You look wonderful, Dad."
"I still don't know why I agreed to this."
"Because you can never say no to your baby girl." She teased
"Uh huh." He replied with a smile just as the doorbell rang
"I'll get it." Tierney called out so Marie would hear and not try to answer it. She walked to the foyer and opened the door to find Avery and her mother on the other side. Her mother was a beauty and Avery looked very much like her. Auburn hair and eyes whose color you couldn't quite define.
"Hi, come on in." She stepped back allowing them entry into the foyer
"Tierney, this is my mom, Jennifer Edwards." Avery said
Tierney gestured behind her, "And this is my dad…"
"Oh my god," they heard Avery's mother say when he came into view, "Jonathan…"
He stood frozen in shock as well, "Jennifer?"
TBC