Mom on the Run: 'A baby step into a grown-up world'

I'm clutching my cell phone as I cruise the wine section of the grocery store, my friend Jamie on the other end. I don't know a thing about wine, I don't drink it, but I've got a new friend coming over, so Jamie is helping -- from Richmond.

"She was drinking white wine?" "Yes. Definitely white." I tell her. "Did you notice what kind of white? Like a pinot grigio or a chardonnay?"

"Gosh, no. We were all in the kitchen, and the wine was in a cooler in the backyard. She was cooking and other people filled her glass for her." I can hear Jamie's sigh, but then, "Well, a pinot grigio is pretty safe," she says slowly, which confirms that I called the right person. Jamie has a much busier social life than I do, and I know she drinks wine.

"Where did you meet this woman again?"

Ann coming over tonight is not quite a blind date, but it's not far off.

"We were both giving blood on the Fourth of July. There was a long line and we waited together forever and of course we chatted. We traded e-mails and I went to her house last week-end for a big group thing and that went well, so she's coming over tonight. To see 'Sixteen Candles,' which she has never seen before! Can you believe it?"

Jamie is silent, though I don't know if it's because I've rattled on or if it's because I'm calling her for help. But this is new to me! I don't socialize much, mostly I see other parents at my kids' sport events, and that's nice, of course, but tonight is different. Tonight is a baby step into a grown-up world that I haven't been part of for 16 years.

"I keep finding myself all alone on Friday and Saturday nights," I tell Jamie.

Jamie has been my best friend forever, and I feel the need to justify this new relationship to her. My kids are always out with their friends now, and my husband's shift schedule means he's gone a lot too, and Jamie is all the way down in Richmond.

"Ann is perfect; she's our age, with no husband or kids so her schedule is pretty free. Plus she's really funny."

Jamie sighs, either won over or beaten down, ready to help me do this crazy thing.

"OK, your menu sounds good, you've got the movie, and I think a bottle of wine is a good idea, just in case." She suggests two brands, which I can't find, and finally I start suggesting wines with funny names or interesting labels.

"How about Blue Dog? Or Tall Horse? They're both from Australia." I am not helpful, and Jamie snorts.

Finally we pick a wine -- a label and brand name I like, a year and price that reassure Jamie -- and I check the time as I get in line.

"She'll be here in an hour!" I squeak, "I'm nervous!"

"It'll be fine," Jamie soothes, just like she did in high school. "Call me in the morning and tell me how it goes."

I swallow hard and buy the wine.

Lianne Wilkens lives with her family in Manassas. She can be reached at liannewilkens@hotmail.com.