The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

by Jennifer E. Smith

“No, I’m glad you did. It’s been surprisingly… okay.” Mom lets out a low whistle. “Really? I would’ve bet money that you’d be calling me demanding to come home on an earlier flight.” “Me, too,” Hadley says. “But it’s not so bad.” “Tell me everything.” “I will,” she says, stifling a yawn. “But it’s been a really long day.” “I bet. So just tell me this for now: How’s the dress?” “Mine or Charlotte’s?” “Wow,” Mom says, laughing. “So she’s graduated from that British woman to just Charlotte, huh?” Hadley smiles. “Guess so. She’s actually sort of nice. And the dress is pretty.” “Have you and your dad been getting along?” “It was touch-and-go earlier, but now we’re fine. Maybe even good.” “Why, what happened earlier?” “It’s another long story. I sort of ducked out for a while.” “You left?” “I had to.” “I bet your father loved that. Where’d you go?” Hadley closes her eyes and thinks of what Dad said about Charlotte earlier, about how she talks about the things that she hopes might come true. “I met this guy on the plane.” Mom laughs. “Now we’re talking.” “I went to go find him, but it was sort of a disaster, and now I’ll never see him again.” There’s silence on the other end, and then Mom’s voice comes back a bit softer. “You never know,” she says. “Look at me and Harrison. Look what a hard time I’ve given him. But no matter how many times I’ve pushed him away, he always comes back around again. And I wouldn’t want it any other way.” “This is a little bit different.” “Well, I can...