Hurray. He isn’t an axe murderer, but he did carry a knife, one of those Leatherman types. How much damage could that do? I had met him online and I had a bucketful of warnings and cautions and thought, “What if all the naysayers are right? What if he is an axe murderer? You’re a Marine, Gail, you can handle one little axe murderer if you need to,” and I stuck my Derringer in my purse.
We met halfway, between our houses, a couple hours’ drive for each. He said he would either drive his red pickup or his red Mustang and he had me going. A red Mustang was my wanna-have car when my dad insisted that an Opel Kadet was just as good. I arrived at the agreed upon meeting spot, a high-end restaurant at the appointed time, and saw no red Mustang or red pickup, but I did see a rusty red Jeep Wrangler. Now I like Jeeps, but they don’t hold a candle to a red Mustang. I figured it was a bust, I’d been had.
Chirp went my phone and I looked at it. A text message, he was running late, couldn’t find the restaurant, would I please wait? I sighed, fifteen minutes was my waiting limit for a professor in college, and I’d give him that. Idaho roads could have potholes, construction, and deer, all of which could slow him down. He arrived and brought me flowers. That was a plus. We had already talked by text and phone a few hours and he knew I liked flowers but not chocolate. We went into the restaurant and sat down, and the server was as chirpy as they come.
“First time, I’ve seen y’all.”
“First time I’ve been here, I answered, that’s probably why,” I said, wondering if I sounded too snippy.
He said, “We are internet dating, and this is our first date,” and picked up my hand and kissed it. My eyes got big, but I didn’t say anything.
“First date? You guys are a little old for a first date,” the server said. Her badge read Trainee, and her accompanying trainer punched her in the arm. She corrected herself, “Well, you can’t be too old to try something new.”
“True, I said, I’m 75 and he’s 77, do you think we are too old for going on a date?” I said, smiling, wondering what to do about my hand, which had moved to his cheek, but I was uncharacteristically silent.
We ordered a large steak and split it, because seventeen ounces seemed too big, I’m more of a four-ounce steak person. I drank a glass of wine, the most expensive on the menu (I’m sneaky that way). He ordered a crème brulee and we shared it. And, just like that, it was time to go.
“Could I have the check please?” he said. The server disappeared and the manager came by. “Was everything okay,” she wanted to know.
“Of course,” we said in unison.
“I’m glad because the meal is on the house. You two are the cutest couple we’ve seen this year and we love your story.”
Oh, my gosh, we had a wonderful time, yes, but add to that a complimentary meal? Yee haw! But now, the hard part. How do we continue looking cute?
Bits of Time, a compilation of 100 of Gail’s Wrinkly Bits blogs, is available from Gail Cushman Books, Box 905, Columbus, MT 59019 for $15, plus $3.00 shipping and handling. Message me through Facebook Messenger, email me at gaildcushman@gmail.com or contact me through the Fan Club Web page if you want books.
All my Wrinkly Bits books are available from my loading dock in time for Christmas. Your in-laws (or outlaws) will love you.
I can take credit cards, checks, or Venmo (see how hip I’ve become?) Order Bits of Time soon and I will try to get them delivered by Christmas.
Questions? Email Gail: gaildcushman@gmail.com.
