April Fool's Joke

 Originally Written Between 2017-2020                                         

 Picture this.  The early morning of April 1^st, 2016 – just a year ago.  Norm is sitting in his recliner in the living room reading the paper.  I come downstairs after getting dressed and making the bed.  I sit down on my side of the couch and start reading the paper.

 

After a few minutes of silence, Norm says, “Oh, I talked to David last night.”  At this point, I think I have to give you a little background on David.  He is our second son, well into his 40’s, and has lived in Reno, Nevada, since he went there to obtain his Masters in Hydrology 20 years’ ago.

 

Okay, back to my story.  Norm says, “Oh, I talked to David last night.”  My ears perked up and I said, “What’s new with him?”  Norm answered:  “He got engaged last night.”

 

“WHAT?” I yelled as I stood up and ran toward him.  So many things went through my mind in those three seconds it took me to reach him.  Such as:  

            “Why didn’t you tell me last night?”

            “What am I going to wear?”

            “Did they set a date?”

            “Do I have enough time to lose 30 pounds?”

            “Did he give her a ring?”

            “Who should we invite to the wedding?”

            “Will the wedding be in Nevada?”

 

Just then, Norm shouted, “April Fool!”

 

And that’s when I threw the newspaper at him.

 

Fast forward to June 5, 2016 – just two months’ later.  David calls us.  I answer.  He said, “Hey, mom – do you remember the April Fool’s joke dad played on you this year?”  You bet I remembered.  I screamed into the phone, “You’re engaged!”  YES!!   

 

He popped the question during dinner at a really fancy restaurant.  He designed the ring himself.  It took them several months to find a date and a venue.  So, on Saturday, July 8^th this year, David and Elyse will be married in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.  Norm bought a new suit.  I will be wearing a mid-length dress that I have not found yet.  It will be a small wedding with just immediate relatives and their friends.  And, …… I only have ten more pounds to lose.