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needed cruise.  It was time for her to take it easy and have all the fun she could handle. 
         “You deserve a vacation, too, Son.  You do know that you’ve worked very hard and at a younger age than your peers?”
         “Yes, ma’am.  But, it’s your time, Mom.  You’ve done enough to last three lifetimes.  I don’t know of any one else that is more worthy than you.”  He knew as well as his mother that he was a sentimental kind of guy.  “And you went on trying to make a living for yourself and to put food on the table.  We wouldn’t be here is it wasn’t for you,” he finished, his voice thick with emotion.
         His mom sniffed.  “Oh, honey.  That’s just what a mother loves to hear from her children.”
         “Mom, I didn’t mean to make you cry.  You’re on vacation.  You’re supposed to be laughing, smiling…….flirting with dashing old men,” he quipped.
         “’ Old men’?!”  His mother tried to sound appalled but he heard a smile in her voice.  “I’m looking for a young buck now.  Actually, he’s just about five years younger.”
         “What!”  Dalton shot up in his seat.  He heard a faint chuckle.  “So, you’ve already found a nice young man, huh?”
         “Yes.  I believe I have.  He’s very much a gentleman.  He took me out to eat at a very classy restaurant.  We had coconut crusted prawns with a hint of lime, a salad almost too pretty to eat and an assortment of cheeses and gorgeous tropical fruits for dessert.  It was so delicious that if I kept on eating, I would’ve had to go up a dress size.”
         Dalton laughed.  “That does sound good.  I’m truly happy for you, mom.”
         “I’m happy, too, Dalton.  I didn’t think I would ever find a man I felt strongly about after your father died.  Of course, no one will ever replace your father.  I’ll always love him.  But, I know he would want me to live my life and find happiness again.”
         Dalton felt a lump in his throat.  “He would want that for you.  I’m glad you found someone to make you smile.”  His stomach growled.  “I think talking about those prawns made me hungry for some seafood.”
         “Have you been eating well, Dalton?”  It was a concerned question his mother asked on more than one occasion.  It’s an old habit that she just couldn’t shake even though he was now financially secure.  Not that he could blame her.  It was practically imprinted in her DNA now.
         “I’m eating plenty,” he assured her.  “Believe me.  Three squares and a couple of snacks to boot.”  He hoped his assurance relieved her anxiety about keeping food in the fridge.
         He heard his mother sigh gratefully.
         “I’ll eat, watch a little television, shower and go to bed.  I’ve got a meeting tomorrow.  Among other things,” he elucidated.
         “’Other things’…….like a date?”  His mom was very perceptive and usually hit a bulls’ eye every time when it came to her children.
         “I’m having a conference with my shipping crew.  A couple of shipments weren’t on time and her business requires good organization and timing.  After that, I’m going over to her bakery to let her know.  She’s a caterer and she invited me to check out her store and sample some of her creations.”
         “Well,” his mother said cheerfully.  “Who is the lucky girl?”
         “Victoria Bradley.”
         His mother was quiet for a moment before she said, “Bradley…Bradley.  Hmmmm, now where have I heard that name before?”
         “She’s the owner of a new bakery, ‘The SweetTooth’.” Dalton supplied.
         “No…..no……I’ve heard that name somewhere else….”  His mother sighed, obviously a little frustrated at not being able to place the name.
         “It’ll come to you, mom.  It usually happens when you stop thinking about