Senseless Sensibilities

Madeline sat in the meadow behind Hempstead Place, the delicate pattern of her summer dress lost completely in wildflowers. Father had explained Mr. Rathford was due to stop by for tea and to discuss real estate and she didn’t want to appear overly eager to see him again.

But her father could tell she was interested in Mr. William Rathford, despite their significant age difference- about 35 years. Maddie (as most of those around her called her) didn't care about the age difference at all, Mr. Rathford always showed up with beautiful gifts for her.

So what if he was 18 and she was 52? They made each other happy. Maddie had searched for the perfect man for decades. Now she had the chance to mold the perfect man from this teenage boy.

But he had to come clean. He couldn't lie to Maddie anymore. "Maddie?" He shouted. "I'm... not 18. I'm actually 1.8 - There was a typo on Tinder profile." Maddie didn't care. Besides - Age is just a number, isn't it?

Maddie didn’t care. “I don’t care. I’ve loved you since I saw you read your History report in front of the class 2 years ago.” She smiled shyly. He looked down at his feet and fell silent.

Moments passed—he reached into his pocket, pulled out a cootie catcher, and carefully unfolded it. Too bashful to speak, he handed it to Maddie who read aloud, “The only history that matters is the day we met. You are my Alamo, my Bill of Rights, my Tea Party rolled into one.”