I can’t believe I’m doing this. I can’t believe I’m doing this. This is so not me!
All I can do is scold myself as I pull into the driveway of a man I’ve met face to face only once. My mother would kill me if she knew. I text my best friend Jenn and give her Isaac’s name and address in case he turns out to be a murderer. I tell her what time and pulling up and promise to text her the second I leave.
Is this one of the most reckless things I’ve ever done?
Yes.
The location of my and Isaac’s second date wasn’t my first choice. I was actually led to this driveway by a series of my own flakey tendencies. Since our first date a week ago, I had agreed to see Isaac twice and backed out because of scheduling mistakes and school obligations. (Oh, so THIS is why people use calendars!) In my defense, it is the end of the school year, my most hectic time. Either way, he has been intentional about expressing his interest in me as well as a desire to go out again. I like that he doesn’t keep me guessing. It seems mature and ultra-manly, if that doesn’t sound silly. Isaac knows what he wants and goes after it, not in a desperate way, but rather, with resolve. (Trust me, if you have any experience with online dating, you KNOW the difference.) And now, I’m starting to worry that my natural “Christina-ness”, what with all of the committing and backing out, won’t last much longer before he shakes the dust from his feet and walks the other way. He’s leaving to be in a friend’s wedding tomorrow, which means he has to stay home and wash clothes tonight, but with my schedule as crazy as it is, I won’t be free for another week.
So here I am. I walk up to his front door nervously. Very little light is coming through the windows, but I can hear the TV booming. We planned to watch Thor, so maybe he has already started it. As I wait for him to answer the door, something catches my eye through the glazing.
What is that? A huge fish tank? Why is it brown? Oh, God, he’s going to chop me up and put me in his fish tank. I knew this was a bad idea. I KNEW this was a bad idea...
My internal struggle, “to run or not to run,” is interrupted when Isaac answers the door.
Well hello, handsome fish tank killer.
Oh, uh, I mean, “Hi.”
I reluctantly enter his house. He lives with his brother, who, at the moment, is conveniently away at work for the night. Entering the living room, I notice he has MULTIPLE fish tanks. Four, to be exact. Thankfully, the others’ water is clear, convincing me that no unsuspecting victims now reside in them. We sit down and start chatting. We discuss our days and the many grievances we have towards the public education system. I muster up the courage to ask about the brown fish tank. At this, he laughs and explains that he has recently added real driftwood to the tank's setup. Whew. The conversation shifts to our personal lives. He tells me of his many adventures traveling to sing. He shows me souvenirs from all over the world. As we talk he tells me some of the most interesting stories about people he has known, things he has done, and finally, one beautiful tale of a close friend he lost to cancer. The emotion on his face when talking about Maura tells me that Isaac is a person who loves his friends and family passionately and would do anything for them. My heart hurts and smiles for this truly unique man sitting in front of me.
After four hours, we realize that watching Thor is no longer an option, and I decide to go home and get some sleep. Isaac, respectful but sweet, gives me a long hug at the door of my car. On the way home, I text Jenn and tell her that I’ve not only made it out alive, but that tonight was absolutely fantastic. As I’m telling her all about the night, I feel the faintest hint of a spark run through my body. I think I might like this guy.
~Chapter 3 Coming Soon!~
If you've made it this far, your reward is this link to a
how-to dance video my friend Cassi and I made in college and thus an
explanation as to why I remained single until age 24.
How to shake your salt
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