by Kaylee, Katy
His bio made me laugh instantly. He joked about dying alone at 30, and his mom notifying all his potential matches of his untimely death. We had chemistry from the moment we started chatting. Jackson was a well-educated goofball who was looking for friendship in a city of cold, wounded hearts. I let him know that I was fresh out of a situation and wasn’t looking to rush into anything. Jackson understood and respected my boundaries. We eventually exchanged numbers and connected offline. I knew Jackson would want to meet sooner than later. I needed some cash, so I took a part-time job at the local diner working nights and weekend. I made just enough to pay the light bill and keep my cell phone on. My dream roommate hadn’t been discovered as of yet. So, I had to do what I had to do.
I purchased a cute dress from the local thrift store and made it home just in time to prepare for my date. I’d managed to paint my nails and toes hot pink with some drug store polish. I found my mother’s diamond-studded earrings to hide my big ears. By the time six o’clock arrived, I was spruced up and ready to meet Jackson at the restaurant. I called an Uber to drop me off at the location. The restaurant was absolutely breathtaking.
The doorman greeted every patron with a charming smile as they stepped onto the red carpet. Walking up to the gold-encrusted glass doors made my heart skipped a few beats. I was surrounded by some of the ritziest and posh people in Milwaukee. People, young and old, entered the restaurant; pranced and galloped toward the doorman in their best designer clothes. They sparkled with diamonds dripping from ear to ear. The men looked like dapper gentlemen out of a movie or magazine. It was a glamorous affair as I modestly asked for directions to meet my date inside the restaurant.
“Excuse me, sir, I’m wondering if you could help me?” I asked innocently.
The doorman bent his back a little to meet me at eye level. My five-foot, two-inch frame felt much smaller when standing next to his six-foot body. He smiled at me with his broad shoulders and thick grey mustache. His pale skin and enchanting blue eyes reminded me of my father. He cleared his throat and straightened his back.
“You will have to take the elevator to the third floor and check-in with the hostess. He or she will escort you to your party,” he confirmed.
“Oh my!” I responded. “Thanks so much, I’ll do just that.”
“Enjoy your evening, ma’am,” he suggested and pulled open the door for me with his white glove.
I nodded once more and smiled graciously in his direction. As soon as I entered the restaurant, I was hit with a sharp chill of cold air. A brief chill tingled my skin as I wiggled inside my high-heeled shoes. I’d stepped into a different world. The allure of success permeated the air as diamond-encrusted lighting hung from the ceiling. The marbled floor led me to the elevators in the far-right corner. I was intrigued by what type of environment I was walking into as each step became more cumbersome than the last. I stood at the elevator door, waiting patiently for it to open. As soon as the doors opened, I was greeted by a handsome brown skin man in a custom red blazer, white gloves, and black top hat.
He smiled and said, “Good evening, ma’am will you be dining with us today?” he asked eloquently.
“I do believe I am. Thank you,” I replied.
My simple black dress hugged my curves nicely as I entered the warm and stylish elevator. The ruffled feathers on the end of my dress complimented the light gold backdrop of the elevator. I didn’t know whether I should make conversation or stand quietly in the corner. I followed the elevator guy’s lead and stood silently in the corner to the right. I stared down at my shoes, counting my toes. It was the only thing I could think of doing besides feeling awkward.
The elevator dinged and announced the second floor. The doors opened, and a man with a peppered gray mane and beautiful dark brown eyes walked inside. Immediately his eyes drew me into him. He flashed a smile and greeted me, hello.
“Hello,” I mumbled and darted my eyes.
“You look magnificent tonight,” he said in a deep baritone.
I pulled on my dress a little nervously and began to blush.
“Oh, why thank you,” I responded. “You look rather dashing yourself this evening. Special occasion?
He chuckled a bit and ran his left hand through his thick mane.
“You could say that … The first date,” he confirmed with a light shrug.
I raised my eyebrow and nodded. I slowly took all of him in, from head to toe. He was dressed in black slacks, a crisp white-collared shirt, custom black blazer, and rusty, reddish-brown loafers completed his look. His oversized black watch and diamond cufflinks complimented his style and age. His woodsy aroma aroused my senses and tickled my nose as my juices started flowing between my thighs. I was attracted to him, but, wasn’t willing to say it out loud. I played it cool a little while longer.
“Ouch!” We both laughed.
“Agreed,” he said with a nod. “We’ll see how it goes … wish me luck.”
“Half the battle is showing up so ….” I retorted.
“True,” he nodded approvingly.
“Where did you meet?” I asked curiously.
Bashfully, he looked away and said, “Don’t judge me, ok?”
“I promise.”
“We met on Mingle Milwaukee, the online dating site.”
“Interesting.” I laughed.
“Are you laughing at me or with me? I can’t tell …” he questioned.
“Definitely with you,” I affirmed. “I’m on the site, too.”
“Oh yeah, wow! You’re so gorgeous. I’m sure guys are filling up your inbox,” he suggested.
“Maybe,” I smirked.
“We should connect. What’s your screen name?” he asked as he took out his phone.
“I’m LittleDebbiesSecret101.”
He cracked a smile, “Clever and original. I like that.”
“I’m Maverick1801… it’s a long story,” he laughed.
The elevator door chimed for the third floor.
“I’m Nathan by the way.” He extended his hand in my direction.
I stared back at his hand and walked out of the elevator. Shocked by my aloof behavior, Nathan watched me walk out of the elevator. Just as the doors closed, I turned around and looked back at his eyes and said, “Christina.”
The elevator doors closed, and I headed over to the hostess. I glanced at my phone to check the time. I was fifteen minutes early for my date. I gave the hostess my name, and she checked me in. She escorted me over to the bar until my date arrived. I was tempted to order a new drink with the little money in my pocket. I decided to hold off just in case I had an emergency. There were many men around in the restaurant. Many were much older than Macon. I could tell by their style of dress and conversation that those were men with money, power, and access to an elite world. I was immediately attracted to the endless possibilities of falling in love with someone who could give me the life and love I deserved without hassle. I waited patiently for my date, Jackson, to arrive. Somehow my mind kept going back to the handsome stranger in the elevator. I couldn’t deny the spark between us. There was almost something magical and perfect about it.
I pulled out my phone and looked up his profile on Mingle Milwaukee. His photogenic face popped up on my phone. Already I saw a request to connect pending in my inbox.
I wasn't quite ready to accept. I browsed through a few of his photos to learn more about him.
In his bio was a quote from Einstein. He went on to share that he was a single, divorced father and looking for love with the perfect woman. In his spare time, he enjoyed fine arts and cooking Italian food. There were only three photos of Nathan that you could see publicly. To see more, you had to accept the request to connect. I was intrigued by the last picture the most because it was a beautiful snapshot of him standing in front of a running 1958 Chevy fire engine red with sunglasses. He looked happy and at peace. I accepted the request to connect.
More time passed, and I realized I’d been stood up by Jackson. I da
rted my eyes around the room and took the courage to waltz out of the restaurant with my dignity intact. A part of me wanted to call and give him a good piece of my mind. If I had learned anything from dating Macon for years, it was that I shouldn’t waste my breath. I passed everyone I met coming up into the restaurant. I did my best to hide my face and disappointment.
“Have a good night, ma’am,” the doorman tossed in my direction. I nodded and picked up my pace to run toward my Lyft, waiting at the curb. As soon as I opened the car door, I released my frustration and drove down the road in tears.
1
Nathan
I don’t think Christina knew I was standing behind the doorman, waiting for my car. I wanted to talk to her once more; but decided another time might be better. I’d rehearsed what I was going to say to her at least ten times in my head. I couldn’t get the beautiful image of her smile flashing at me out of my head. It was like she’d put a spell on me the moment we exchanged words in the elevator. There was just something about her aura that I was immensely drawn to.
Later that night, I contacted the agency for her phone number. It took some persuading since it was against company policy. However, once I explained that I was a highly respected and sought-after psychologist, conducting research, they gave me some wiggle room.
I held on to her phone number for a few hours. It was in black ink on my legal notepad sitting at my desk. I didn’t want to mess things up, again.
My date from the previous night had made it quite clear that we weren’t compatible, and that she was looking for an excuse to make her ex mad. I wasn’t familiar with being a pawn in someone’s agenda to light a fire underneath someone’s ass. Instead of bolting out of the restaurant as soon as her bullshit pierced my ears, I enjoyed my dinner and wine and advised the server we would be splitting the check. I left a hundred-dollar bill on the table and walked out. What happened after that was up to my date.
Her name was Kathleen, she went by Kat with a K. She had the legs of a goddess and the body of an Amazon princess. Although I was immensely attracted to her physically, my attraction grew by leaps and bounds by our conversations daily. She stimulated me with her in-depth and critical knowledge on foreign affairs and passion for philanthropy. Like me, she was divorced with adult children. Her husband had already remarried quickly after their divorce ended a few years earlier. Kat was in the dating pool scrambling for a helpmate with a deflating life jacket.
When I lost my wife, Cynthia, to breast cancer. I vowed I would never love another woman as deeply as I loved her. But, after our son, Macon, grew up and went off to college, I found an empty house more discomforting to live in alone. Macon was in grade school when his mother died. Cynthia and I never wanted Macon to grow up alone. When she got diagnosed, we were in the process of trying for baby number two. I knew what it was like to grow up in this world alone. I didn’t want the same for my son.
Macon and I lifted each other up after Cynthia died. He became my friend and my son. I knew my son would need me around at some point in his life to be there for his family. Someday.
I knew the only way I could get over my broken heart was to get back out and start dating again. Kat was the first woman I’d met online and with whom I thought I could see myself long-term. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered she was a wolf in sheep’s clothing like all the rest. I almost wanted to give up on dating, especially online.
That was until Christina crossed my path. She made my heart go aflutter the moment I laid eyes on her in the elevator. It was as if there was a little light shining at the end of a dark tunnel. That light was just for me. Last I saw Christina she seemed sad and hurt. I definitely didn’t want to start there with our conversation. I knew a text message would probably freak her out a bit. Definitely didn’t want to come off as the creepy old guy stalker. I planned to call her around eight o’clock in the evening. I figured that would be the most ideal time since she probably wouldn’t be in bed yet or in between work/class.
To pass the time, I decided to go grocery shopping at Whole Foods and make a lemon pepper shrimp scampi. I always made just enough for myself and a little left over for Macon. Some days he’d pop up with an empty belly and bright eyes. I was concerned about my son. The worry lines on my forehead increased every time he walked out of my front door. Each time he looked thinner than before. I’d ask if he was doing okay. He’d nod and his head and swear to me that he was doing just fine. I had nothing to worry about.
As his dad, I was always worried every second of the day. One thing I knew about my son Macon was his wild and restless spirit. He lived life with a powerful impact each day. He wasn’t afraid of anything or anyone. I guess I was partially to blame for his brave spirit. Growing up without a mother made any man tough-skinned, even in the softest places. I didn’t try to get too deeply inside his head when he came over. I just made it known that if he ever needed to come home, he was always welcome. I left a key inside the third plant on the porch for him to come in late at night. When we would hug goodbye, I squeezed him just a little tighter and slipped a $100 inside his pocket. The next day he’d text me thanks. That was our thing. I just needed our thing to work for as long as possible. Macon would always be my kid.
After dinner was prepared, I sat down at the dining room table with a glass of red wine and ate. My dining room table was set for four people. I always ate alone inside my earth-sheltered home. When I told my clients or friends that I lived in an earth-sheltered home, they were always confused and concerned. It was not your typical home structure. However, it was possibly the most efficient way to deal with the current global crisis of the earth. I always told my friends that earth-sheltered homes use dirt, rock, and vegetation to protect the house from the elements. Such homes can offer significant advantages over conventional approaches when it comes to reducing heating/cooling costs and needs, indoor temperature variation, and durability. It remained unaffected by high winds and storms, including the notoriously wicked blizzards of a Wisconsin winter.
My friends thought I lived in a bat cave. I liked to think I was just preparing for the worst-case scenario. It wasn’t that easy to explain to my female romances, that was something I’d deal with later.
With my belly full, I jumped into the shower and prepared to unwind for the night. I climbed into bed and grabbed my notepad with Christina’s phone number. After a few practice trials, I dialed her number. Her phone rang twice, and she picked up on the third ring.
“Hello, this is Christina.”
“Hi Christina, it’s Nathan…Um, we met in the elevator at Skytop Restaurant last night,” I respond.
“Oh hi…How’d you get my number?”
“From the online dating site…I hope that doesn’t sound too weird.” I laughed nervously.
“Only slightly creepy. Let’s see how the rest of the conversation goes, shall we?” she replied evenly.
“Understood,” I affirmed. “How’s your day going?”
“It’s going great. Tonight’s dinner is an upgrade. Instead of Ramen chicken noodles, I could afford to buy the shrimp flavor.”
“I can definitely relate. I’m sure it tastes twice as delicious tonight than ordinary.
She laughs. “Yep, I would have to say so. Tell me about your day. Besides getting my number from a dating site.”
“Can I get some credit for going the extra mile? It’s not easy for me.”
“Hmm.. I’ll give you half a point for originality and effort. A whole point is for the first date.” Christina replied sarcastically.
“Oh, so I have a chance to take you out on a first date? I’m getting closer!”
“Down boy! You’re still on probation.” Christina joked.
“Fair enough. Well, may I say you were the most stunning woman I met last night. I would love to take you out for dinner sometime. If you will let me…”
Christina paused for a few seconds. I could hear her breathing through the phone. Her hesitation was common and understand
able since she didn’t really know me or understand my motives. I waited patiently for her response. “Can I think about it for a bit?” she replied.
“Sure, you can take all the time you need. May I ask why the hesitation?”
She paused and released a deep breath. “I was stood up last night. I’m not really looking forward to that happening again anytime soon.”
I cleared my throat and adjusted my posture in the bed. I straightened my back and pulled back the covers from my feet. “I’m sorry that happened to you. Trust me, my date showed up, and it wasn’t fireworks like I expected. I’m certain there won’t be a date number two,” I confirmed.
“Ouch! That bad, huh? What went wrong? Did she pretend to be someone else instead of who you met on the site?” Christina questioned.
“I’ll spare you the gory details for now.”
“Good call,” Christina agreed. “Online dating is tricky, you have to be careful.”
“I would agree. That’s why when I saw you I knew I wanted to see your beautiful face again. There was just something about you that just caught my attention,” I confessed.
“Wow. No one has ever….that was sweet. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I hate to sound like I’m begging. But, at the risk of embarrassing myself, I will ask you out again,” I admit.
Christina released a soft laugh through the phone. I could tell that she was warming up to me slowly. There was a special smile in the way her tone came through to the other end. Just the sound of her voice caused me to crack a smile like a teenage boy.
“You seem like a pretty cool guy. I’d be open to going out with you under one condition,” Christina stated.
“Name it!” I replied eagerly.
“I get to pick the location.”
“You got it, beautiful!”
Christina laughed, “ I like that.”
“What?”
“When you call me beautiful, it makes me smile.” Christina confessed.
“That’s all I want to ever do.”