The Marriage Portrait. Pamela Bauer

her maternal defense of him. “Not everyone sees me through your eyes, Mom.”

      “I’m not just saying that because I’m your mother. Ask any of the Mums, they’ll say the same thing.” She shook her head in bemusement. “What is wrong with the youth of today? When a handsome young man like you has trouble getting a date…”

      “I can find a date,” he assured her.

      She dismissed his comment with a flap of her hand. “You don’t need to pretend with me. I know that you spend a lot of your free time alone.”

      Guilt washed over him. He hadn’t been completely honest with Tessie over the years. He wasn’t often without female companionship, yet Tessie was unaware of his love life. He’d deliberately kept it that way, because he hadn’t wanted her getting attached to any of the women in his life, because he knew none of them would last.

      “Mom, there are other places to meet women than through a dating service,” he said gently.

      “I know that, dear, but I had hoped that my gift would be a lasting one,” she said on a sigh. “You’re thirty-five, Michael, and I’m eighty-one. Time is running out.”

      He pulled her into his arms and gave her a hug. “Now you stop your worrying. We have plenty of time—both of us. Your birthday gift was unique and I haven’t given up on finding a special lady.”

      She pushed him away. “You haven’t?”

      “No. If there’s someone out there for me, I’ll find her. You know that.”

      “You always have loved a challenge, haven’t you?” she said with a knowing grin.

      Yes, he did, and he didn’t consider this one to be over yet.