I started chatting with Meg Ryan on one of the popular dating websites. We had only exchanged a message or two, when I started having problems with the website, the pages did not want to load for me. Out of desperation and concerned that I might not be able to write to her again in timely fashion, I quickly asked her for her telephone number, and then I texted her a few days later. As always, names have been changed to protect the guilty!
Meg only had one picture on the dating site, she had no body shot, and the one picture she had looked like it was Photoshopped. I was not sure if I would be attracted to her or not.
We texted a little, and this little lady had the gift of gab. She quickly mirrored me, picking up all my cute-cute banter and giving it right back to me. I took my editor Jade Ferguson’s (who looks like Xena Warrior Princess) advice and called her on the telephone to set up a first meet, instead of just being lazy and texting, like I sometimes do. Xena was right – we had a fun little telephone date, and Meg was giggling like a little school girl! I was a big hit, it was fun-fun! Have you ever had a call from a virtual Jim Carrey? You should try it sometime. Was it good for you?
I asked her what her schedule was, and a Friday date night seemed to be the hot ticket, so we made the date – yay, Friyay! I picked out a J. Mark’s restaurant near her. We texted and bantered over the next few days. At one point, a couple of her texts did not go through for about a half-hour, so she got a little needy and texted, “Hello”? – as if to say, “Where are you, don’t leave me”! She was skeered! Hopefully, she’s sane and just a little bit smitten with me – which is quite alright.
Friday night rolled around, and I put on my shiny black shoes and a nice dress shirt and jeans, and texted her that I was on my way. Assuming I could be another victim of rush-hour traffic, I started out early. As luck would have it, there was no traffic, so I got there twelve minutes early, and I texted her. She sent me a reply text that she would be right on time.
Two minutes before date time, I waltzed into the restaurant and inquired about a table. I then walked outside, and I saw this pretty lady sitting on a bench in front of the restaurant. I was not sure it was her, but I went for broke. I walked up to her and with a Jack Nicholson, cat-that-ate the canary grin I said, “Are you my date for tonight?” Meg looked up and batted her big blue eyes at me and said, “I think so!” She was wearing this beautiful red, flowery summer dress with short wood-tone heels. She looked like she just stepped off of Fantasy Island. Her sandy-blonde hair completed the whole summery picture. I was attracted to her. We hugged, and I opened the door of the restaurant for her, and asked if she wanted a table inside or outside. Being Florida natives and outdoor lovers, we quickly decided that a patio table was where the party should start! Where it would end, nobody knows!
We walked to the patio and picked out a table. A perfect gentleman as always, I pulled out her chair for her. It was a beautiful Fall evening under the stars, with warm, tropical breezes to tempt us. We decided to order two plates of food, but share. It’s always more fun to share, right? I was looking at the pasta, so she suggested Bistro Shrimp Pasta, and she seemed to want me to take the lead and pick what I wanted, so I choose the chicken strips and she added extra hot sauce and we both agreed it would be a crime if we did not add ranch dip to the mix also. It’s all ’bout dat sauce – and all ’bout dat bass!
When the food came, we were sitting right next to each other, shoulder-to-shoulder, with both plates of food side-by-side in front of us. Awe, look at da wittle wuv birds!
Meg used to be a teacher, but became disillusioned by the long hours, low pay, and all the paperwork she had to bring home. She now works four part-time jobs. She is an assistant, bookkeeper, caterer, and tutor.
About halfway through the date, we were telling our dating and relationship stories from the past, and I mentioned that an ex of mine was a social worker. Meg then said that she was also a social worker before she became a teacher. I said to her, “No wonder I like you so much”. Social workers tend to be very nice people, and nice people are good catches (as long as they are sane with a minimum of problems).
I mentioned that I once dated a Bipolar woman for a short time. It was a pity relationship, I got attached too quickly because she fell on the date. Meg said, “Maybe I should fall down on this date!”
I ordered a drink, and she mentioned that she did not drink. Unfortunately, some people do not drink because they have had problems with alcohol or drugs in the past – sometimes this can be a red flag. However, she explained that it was because her brother died five years ago due to a drug overdose (I don’t think I’ll order a drink when I’m with her the next time). After her brother died, she adopted his pets – a squirrel monkey and three tortoises. Two of the tortoises were too big, so she gave them away to a zoo, and kept one. She did talk quite often of her brother, whom she missed dearly. Is this an indication that she has excess emotional baggage from the past? Some people have too much.
Meg had a couple of five-year relationships in the past, was engaged once, and has no children. Her first boyfriend in her twenties cheated on her. She also had a rebound relationship that lasted for two months. She has not had a relationship for two years, so I suspect she is not on the rebound.
She mentioned on our telephone date earlier in the week that she knew a lot about handling grief. Part of that was keeping busy, including riding her bike to the beach and to the inlet to feed the fish, and taking yoga classes often. At first I though this could be a red flag. Yet, on this date, learning that she was once a social worker, I tend to believe she really does know how to handle grief – social workers are trained in psychology. At this point, I’m thinking it’s not a problem, but I’ll be watching.
We talked, told stories, and bantered throughout the date. I had mentioned on our telephone date that I once had a cat, and when she asked me when I acquired it, I told her I forgot. Then I remembered that I did get the cat as a kitten. Well, this became a running joke between us. She would often ask me about stuff and then kid, “Did you forget?” She was teasing the heck out of me, and I loved it! She has a great personality and sense of humor.
After dinner, I proceeded to pay the bill. Meg offered to help but I declined and paid the whole bill. We decided to take a stroll around the outdoor mall nearby. First, we made a run to bathroom, and between the men’s and ladies’ restrooms, she asked if we should meet back here. Being silly, I said, “That’s a little weird!” I suggested we meet in front of the restaurant.
We were strolling through the parking lot to the mall, and there were a few cars and we seemed to be walking in the middle of the road as it were, so I held her hand and gently led her off to the side, out of harm’s way. When we were off the runway so to speak, she did not want to let go of my hand. That’s very cute-cute!
We walked in front of the stores for a while, then headed back. She mentioned that she had Ubered to the restaurant. She had a car, but seemed to like Uber. However, me being the gentleman that I am, I did not like the idea of her Ubering at such a late hour. I improvised, and told her I’d feel better if I drove her home. Then, in an effort to be chivalrous, I exclaimed, “But I’m not coming in your house on the first date!” She fired back, “Not even if I beg?”
She was complaining about her island short heels hurting her feet, so I suggested she take her shoes off in the car, and that’s what she did. Normally a woman should not get in a man’s car two hours after meeting him, but this is just how a smooth operator works (oh give me a break!).
I pulled up to Meg’s island home, complete with towering palm trees swaying in the evening breeze. We talked briefly and then before she got out of the car, I leaned over and Meg and I shared an intimate kiss on the lips. Just before leaving, she asked, “Will we do this again?” I said, “Sure!” I like this lady – she’s attractive, fun, very cool, seems very sane, and has a very calming effect on me – as if I am in a tropical paradise, far, far away. This wittle filly could be quite the catch.
There you have it, a beautiful date with a very cool kitty. We texted some after the date, and are talking about a second date. We’ll see how just how far down the rabbit hole this tango in the night will go!
