First Date

"You look a mess." Rochelle said, as I picked her, Rob and Lori up to take them to the airport.

It was 5:00 AM and I hadn't slept much for the past couple of days.

"I just broke up with Rose." I blurted out, without really thinking. My shaky relationship of the past year and a half had just ended.

"I am so sorry." Rochelle replied.

Rochelle and I had known each other for over 25 years. Her late husband, Chris was my best friend. Chris died of cancer only a few weeks earlier. Rochelle was taking her grown kids on a getaway to Mexico. They had almost two years of turmoil in their lives, as Chris went through his unsuccessful treatments. The trip was to allow for some kind of closure for the three of them.

As they exited the car for the airport, I said to Rochelle, “Give me a call when you get back. We can have dinner and you can tell me about your trip.”

She did call upon her return. For some reason, I was excited. Although I had known Rochelle for over 25 years, I never really knew her. In all the times we had been together, I only talked with Chris. Rochelle was relegated to the background.

Rochelle was great company at dinner. She beamed as she showed me her pictures from Mexico. We never talked about Chris. Although we both lost the same person we each lost something different. We both needed to handle the loss in our own way.

I realized I didn't want the night to end. Could I have more time with her without being disrespectful of her recent loss? Would she want more time with me? As I drove her home, I asked if she would like to go to a play on Friday. She agreed – no hesitation. I pushed my luck and added a dinner invitation. Again she agreed. What was happening?

I played the gentleman and walked to the door. We said goodnight without so much as a handshake.

I bought tickets for the theatre and I called Rochelle to let her know. There was no answer. Would she change her mind? But she saw my number on her phone and called me back. We were still on. Thank goodness. Dinner and the theatre.

A great Greek restaurant. I ordered, thinking I would know what she would like to eat. She didn’t object. Maybe I was trying to impress her with my knowledge of Greek cuisine. Spanakopita, mousaka, dolmates, humous, baklava.

I steered the conversation in another direction. "Would you ever consider dating again?" Was I treading on unsafe ground?

She hesitated but gave an honest reply. "I haven't thought about it, but under the right circumstances, I would consider it"

What were the right circumstances? Could that include me? I didn't dare go that far. But I had made a start. All I wanted was to have a chance sometime in the future.

We continued our conversation. Travel and seeing the world seemed to be a constant theme. I told her about my dreams of living and working in other parts of the world. She appeared excited by our conversation.

Then to the theatre where we sat, leaning towards each other. The more I leaned into her the more she leaned into me. It felt electric. I wanted to grab her hand, but I felt I had already intruded too far. I think the play was interesting and entertaining, but I was preoccupied.

I couldn't let the evening end. On the way to the car I asked if she would like tea and dessert. Once again she agreed. She accepted every offer I made. Was this just coincidence?

While enjoying our dessert, the conversation again turned to travel. Then she stared at me and said, "Would you like to be my travel partner?"

I almost dropped a forkful of precious cake. What was happening?

I tried not to looked shocked. I acted like this was no big deal. Attempting to look calm and confident, which I was not, I replied, “I have a trip to Toronto in April why don't you come with me?"

"Just give me the dates and I’ll arrange the time." She replied.

I was still in a state of shock, but tried to keep my emotions hidden. I had been trying to respect the boundaries of a recent widow but the boundaries disappeared on me. What else could happen?

As we left the restaurant, I reached for her hand. She responded and our hands locked as we strolled to the car. I was awestruck by what was happening. When we got in the car, I again reached for her hand. We hardly spoke as I drove, holding her hand tight. Was I shaking?

We stopped in front of her house. I turned to face Rochelle and started to lean over to give her a kiss. She threw her right arm around my neck and planted her lips firmly on mine.

It was over in an instant. She opened the door and darted for the house closing the car door as she ran off. I didn't even get to walk her to the door. I sat in stunned silence. What just happened?

I called Rochelle the next morning. "I just wanted to know if you felt the same as I about last night." I stammered.

Rochelle replied as if she knew my thoughts, "Yes I do.”

* * *

We have been travelling the world for the past seven years. We now live in the Middle East. What a date.

(938 words)