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I’m confused, as to what is expected of me in this situation.   When you are trying to be nice, and you feel that the other person is also being nice, but the chemistry isn’t there.   You think that she’s not interested.  How do you find out and let her down easily?  How will she let me down?

The main course arrives, and the steak is very nicely cook, enough red  in the middle, and evenly seasoned.   She’s talking about her family.   Thankfully she likes to talk.   By the time the waitress comes asking if we want dessert, we both said fairly quickly “No, thanks.”

“Can I take this home?” She adds, directing the question to the waitress.

We keep the conversation civil enough, and even more grounded by the time we are ready to depart the restaurant.   I got to remember that, this one is a good one to come back for another location.

“I had a nice time.” Not sure if she’s going to end it there.  Or add a “but”.   I decided to do the pre-emptive strike and help her out.   Take us both out of our date-limbo.

“Yeah, me too.   But you know what Amanda, I don’t want to give you the wrong impression.   I had a good time,  and you seem like a good girl, woman, sorry, but ….”

“There’s not enough to see us again.” I guess she has  quick trigger too.

I mumble “Umm, yeah.”

“Please don’t worry, at least it was a good dinner, and you also seem like a nice guy.    But obviously the ‘click’ is not there, and why force it, right?”

I nod in agreement.

“Hey at least you are not like some of the weirdos I have found. “  She gives me a hug, turns around, and I never see her again.   Can’t help but feel like we did the right thing, but then again, she showed me more in that last conversation, than I have seen in a while.   Maybe I shouldn’t have cutting the cord so quickly….maybe.

By the time I get home, I tired, another bad date, even with the end, no second date.   I have been in a rut the last couple of months.  Either when I’m interested, they are not, or when they seem interested, I’m just not feeling it.   I browse the internet aimlessly, not really much to do.  Facebook activity is low tonight.   My email, is not as active as it used to be.    The T.V. is on in the background, I flip through the channels, hoping my phone will ring.   Someone to hang out with.   I decided to take the initiative and text a couple of my friends.   There’s got to be something to do tonight.  Take my mind away from tonight.   Is New York City after all.

Just as I’m about to call it a night, my phone vibrates, The Roz, few of us are at the Majestic, on 2^nd street.  If I catch a cab, I might make it before midnight.    I decided against my better judgment and head out the door.

Chapter 2

I woke up with a little headache.    Maybe I went a little too far, last night.   But I needed a stress reliever, and it was interesting to say the least.   The place was crowded, and the noise was loud.   Like it usually is when the place is going in the right direction.   Not used it, but can’t say is my first time either.    But I should have ended it last night, instead of letting it linger til the morning.   It will just make things that much more awkward.

The clock lets me know I miss the early yoga class, maybe I can make the second one, or third one, depending in how quickly I can get out of this situation.   The bed no longer holds a spell on me, so I get out without making too much noise.  Tiptoe my way out of the bedroom and head to the kitchen.   The coffee machine comes to live, and once I have my fuel, I’ll be ready to have a go to the rest of the day.   Janice needs some help with her shopping, and I want to check it out myself, maybe something for me to buy too.

I hear stirring coming from the bedroom, hope I have enough time for coffee before it gets weird.    Come on, coffee.  Making decisions without coffee never leads to good results.   An image appears in the doorway, upper body naked, and showing more than I wish to see this morning.   Why do some people don’t understand that it doesn’t carry over?  Can’t help but admire the body, maybe it could carry over.

“Hey, good morning.”

“I’m good, I’m making some coffee.  You want some?”

“No, I need to run, but I had fun last night.  Was hoping I could, maybe, you know, see you again?”

“Let me think about it.  That’s usually the kind of person I am, and I don’t want to give you the wrong impression.”  Hoping my meaning got through.

“Oh, no, me neither.  I’m more respectful than that.  Last night wasn’t my usual, and I don’t want to just run.  For once I had fun.”

“You said you are not ‘that kind of person’ but in the next breath you ‘had fun for once’?” I ask coyly.   See what kind of response I get, is nice to see them squirm a little.   There’s a small sick pleasure to get out of it.

“Oh I see, you like to play with my words.  Isn’t a little early to try to play games?”

Good  way to get out of it buddy.  “Maybe, but is my house, my rules.”

“Ahh, well, in that case, yes, if I have to answer truthfully, never had a one-night stand, and that’s why I’m standing here in your kitchen, trying to figure out how to proceed next.  I think the protocol should had been for me to sneak out before you woke up?”

“Something like that.  Don’t want you to think I’m a floosie either, I have respect for myself and what happens in my bedroom, but you catch me at a weak moment, and I needed some fun.   And we seemed to hit it off last night.    So, is not like I’m an expert in ‘protocol’ as you point out.   But I think we are past the point of sneaking out.   I do have a yoga class I want to make, but I still have time for coffee.  So, you can go ahead and pack your clothes and run out of here, or we can establish something here, and keep the weirdness out of it.”

“Ok, I like that, you are pretty straight-forward.   Maybe too straight-forward.”

I smile, and say what I think: “Is not the first time I heard that statement about me.  Probably not the last one either.”

“So, shall we start from the beginning then?”

“I think we are a little late for that.”  Looking towards my bedroom and beyond.   A smile appears, that smile is quite attractive.   It seems genuine.  “Maybe a beginning is too much to ask.  But I wouldn’t be opposed to a re-introduction.”

“Ok then.   I’m Michael.”  He says, stretching his arm.

“I’m Janet.”  I shake his hand.   That coy smile appears on his face again, he knows he has beaten his share of women before.   “Jane, for my friends.”  Feeling his hand.

Chapter 3

“Ok Jane, I’ll have that cup of coffee then.”   Last night was really a good night after all.   And to think I was going to give up on it.

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I might write more later.  Emphasis on might.   Thanks for your support.

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