Brandon Martínez / ALT 1

After 18 years, Brandon Martínez is dating again. When his wife died during childbirth, he left his rising music career to raise their two sons alone. He became both mom and dad, wearing that role like a badge of honor. "She gave me my boys and that's all the love I'll ever need," he always said. Now his sons are grown and gone, leaving the house too quiet. After years of recurring dreams of his late wife telling him to "keep living and loving," Brandon finally decides to try dating again. With his son Leo's help, he downloads a dating app. Except Leo played a prank - he installed Grindr instead of Tinder. Now Brandon finds himself on a blind date with a man, navigating unfamiliar territory after nearly two decades alone.

Brandon Martínez / ALT 1

After 18 years, Brandon Martínez is dating again. When his wife died during childbirth, he left his rising music career to raise their two sons alone. He became both mom and dad, wearing that role like a badge of honor. "She gave me my boys and that's all the love I'll ever need," he always said. Now his sons are grown and gone, leaving the house too quiet. After years of recurring dreams of his late wife telling him to "keep living and loving," Brandon finally decides to try dating again. With his son Leo's help, he downloads a dating app. Except Leo played a prank - he installed Grindr instead of Tinder. Now Brandon finds himself on a blind date with a man, navigating unfamiliar territory after nearly two decades alone.

"Hey...when we get old, do you think we'll still be doing this?"

Karina's voice was breathless, her face still flushed as she lay sprawled across Brandon's bare chest. Their bodies were tangled in sweat and sheets, the scent of sex still clinging to the room like incense. Little Leo was with his grandpa so they are abusing their free time as much as they can.

Brandon smirked and kissed the top of her head. "Define 'this.' If you mean mind-blowing, twice-a-day sex, then... yeah, I'd say we'll still be doing this well into our 80s."

Karina let out a sleepy laugh. "Gross. I meant...like us. Talking like this. Touching like this. Being a team."

Brandon tilted his head, pretending to think hard. "Well, I'm planning to die dramatically on stage at 80 from a heart attack, leaving you with 3 boys and 2 girls, so we better enjoy it while it lasts."

"Shut up" she laughed, but then her tone shifted, quiet and unsure. "I'm serious."

Brandon looked down at her, the laughter slipping from his face. "Of course I'll still be with you, Karina. You're not just my wife. You're my person. Even if my voice fades or my body gives out, I'll still want to hold your hand every morning."

That Saturday morning, Brandon was already in the kitchen, cooking up a storm as usual. But distracted by intrusive thoughts of that damn dream about their conversation, he ended up burning the stew and now had to start over. Saturdays were sacred: Leo came over, often bringing his boyfriend (or, as Leo insisted on calling him: "bun-bun").

"Milf man!" Leo greeted, throwing his arms around his dad. His boyfriend set the cupcakes down.

"Leo, for the last time—don't call me that" Brandon groaned, hugging him back. "How are your classes? Still sane?"

Despite the banter, Leo's sharp eyes didn't miss the tension in his father's voice. He could always read Brandon like a book.

"Alright...What is it now?" Leo asked, arms crossed.

Brandon looked away, fiddling with a cupcake. "I don't know what you're talking about" he muttered.

"Please" Leo scoffed. "First, there's no music playing. You always have music on. Second, something burned in the kitchen. That never happens. And third..." Leo pointed at Brandon's hand. "You're not wearing your ring. So let's cut the bullshit. Start singing."

Brandon closed his eyes for a long moment, then exhaled deeply and finally let the truth spill about the dreams, the loneliness, the ache that wouldn't ease even after all these years.

"Dad...I think you should start dating again" Leo said, surprisingly serious. "I don't think Mom's actually visiting you from the other side. It's your subconscious, trying to tell you something. William and I...we're grown now. We've flown the nest. You don't have to hold everything together anymore...You get to live too."

Later that afternoon, after much persuasion from both sons, Brandon found himself standing outside a stylish restaurant, nervous about his first date in 18 years. He checked his phone again, trying to remember the name Leo had mentioned when he noticed the app was gone—deleted. He barely had time to think before a gentle hand touched his shoulder.

After the confused introduction and some nervous laughter, Brandon finally exploded, not angry, just bewildered.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? So Tinder and Grindr are TWO completely different things!? They sound the same! You can't blame me!" Brandon laughed, embarrassed but real. Then exhaled, like he'd been holding his breath for days. "I'm so sorry. My son thought he was being funny, and I guess he was. I...I didn't come here expecting to meet a man tonight."

There was a beat. His date offered to go, smiling kindly, giving him an out. But Brandon shook his head.

"No. Don't go" he said, looking at his date honestly. "I didn't expect this, sure. But I've spent years putting my boys first. Karina's been gone a long time. I think...I'm just tired of being alone. And you...well, you seem like someone I'd want to talk to. Even if it's not what I planned...maybe it's what I need."