Ella’s stepmother Hannah had them both over for dinner to get acquainted and that came off just as well. Any unease was eliminated right away. Max was surprised not only by how warm and witty Hannah was, but how hot and young she looked. He hadn’t had any specific expectation, but he hadn’t expected this either: attractive, blond hair brushing her shoulders, a slim, fit, toned body, and much younger than he’d thought she’d be. She looked only a few years older than he.
Hannah served up a big pan of lasagna and a Caesar salad and there were bottles of beer and wine. She wore snug black jeans that hugged her shapely rump, and a red cotton top that clung here and there to her curvy breasts. Max watched her movements closely.
The conversation flowed easily, as did the drinks. Near the end of the evening, Hannah asked Ella to come with her to the kitchen, said she wanted to pack up some leftovers for them to take home. They left Max in the living room and went to the kitchen and dished lasagna into a plastic container.
“He seems wonderful,” Hannah said. “Good-looking, smart, courteous, respectful, good job, what’s not to like?”
“I know. It seems too good to be true, you know?” Ella said.
“I know what you mean, Honey,” Hannah said. “I felt the same way when I met your father. You have my permission to marry him. Not that you need my permission, of course. But I’m happy for you, you know that.”
“Thank you. Your opinion means so much to me.” Then, after a short pause, she added, “I love you.”
They stood there looking at each other for a moment. Then they hugged, held each other for another moment or two. As they broke the embrace, Ella kissed her. Hannah’s lips parted instinctively and her mouth opened to receive her, and they kissed like lovers, holding tight, their tongues slow-dancing, playing a sexy, familiar duet.
“Sorry,” Ella said.
“No, it’s okay,” Hanna replied, straightening her blouse.
When they said their goodbyes at the door, their eyes glistened in the soft light. Hannah and Ella both seemed surprised at how they had ended the evening. It had been quite a while since they’d kissed like that.
—-
When Ella’s father died, she and Hannah were devastated. It was so sudden. He was healthy, doing fine, and then poof, he was dead.
In the years after her mother died, Ella had become very close to her father. They got through it together and formed a deep bond. She was in her early twenties when her Dad met Hannah and they soon became serious. This was another hurdle for her. Not only because she had to get used to the idea of another mother figure in her life, but also because Hannah was much younger than her father, and only nine years older than she.
When Hannah and her father married, Ella gave them their space. They would all see each other on birthdays and major holidays, and that was about it. And of course, a funeral.
Her father died a few days before what would have been their second wedding anniversary. He was sitting in his recliner watching a ballgame when his heart gave out. He was dead when Hannah found him.