A Valentine's Day Surprise: Backfired

“I have a surprise for my Dad!” boasted Tiffany, to her friend, Nikki. The grade five students were planning their Valentine’s Day class party. 

“Don’t get our class in trouble,” replied Nikki. She saw the mischievous look on Tiffany’s face. “Our party could be cancelled.”

“I won’t.” said Tiffany, “But, I need your help.”  

“Your Dad’s baking the cake?”  

“No,” replied Tiffany. “My Dad has been alone, since I was four years old. I just learned our new teacher has been alone for a couple of years, too. Miss Jones is so nice.”

“I love it!” said Nikki, with a grin. “You’re playing Cupid, on Valentine’s Day.”   

Tiffany nodded. 

“Matchmaking is a dangerous game. She could wind up being your mother.”

“That’s what I am hoping,” said Tiffany. 

“That’s possible.”

 “My Dad said that he’d come to our Valentine’s Day party. He’s afraid to come alone. Maybe your Dad and Mom would pick him up. Please?”

“Tiffany, that might work,” replied Nikki. “They could introduce him to Miss Jones. Maybe they’ll hit it off and become best friends.”

Everything went exactly as planned, well, almost.

On Valentine’s Day, Tiffany and Nikki were preparing the candy baskets, when Nikki’s parents walked in with Tiffany’s father. Tiffany was stunned. Her father was not alone.

“Tiffany,” her father said, several moments later. “Thank you for your invitation. I have a Valentine’s Day surprise for you. I want you to meet my friend, Mercury Bond. We'll go out for supper together, later.”

“This was not supposed to happen. Our plan backfired!” whispered Tiffany to Nikki, as they served coffee. 

“I am so embarrassed!  I just want an ordinary mom, like Miss Jones for my new mother. This woman looks like a hard rock star. What are we going to do?”

“Maybe your Dad thinks we are into hard rock at our party?” whispered Nikki. “We could sabotage her. Keep your fingers crossed. He has not met Miss Jones yet.”