Dinner Should be Enjoyed Naked
Page 11
Bing bong bing bong the doorbell speaks yet again. This has to be Rick. What is that old saying the third time is the charm? Besides nobody ever comes to my house unless it’s one of my children. I know I have carefully created the reputation of being a loner, which is why I don’t understand all the traffic tonight. Even on Halloween, I only get a few trick-or-treaters and I want them to show up. I love seeing the little kids in their costumes at the door especially since they are only there for ten seconds. I give them a piece of candy; they go away. I don’t have to entertain them, I don’t have to listen to them, all I have to do is feed their sugar habit. It’s the perfect relationship.
Once more, I take the long walk from the kitchen to the door anticipating a huge hunk of a man on the other side. Once more, my hands gingerly reach out to open the door to a new beginning, a new relationship that has no boundaries, only those Rick and I decide to impose. Once more, I swing open the door just in time to stare at a well-pressed suit. The only problem is the man in the suit is not Rick. Once more, my ears are bombarded by a salesman’s speech. This time it turns out, he is selling satellite television. I don’t need any more channels that I don’t have time to watch. I have plenty of channels. Looking up to the sky, I ask the powers that be why are they doing this to me? Is this some sort of cosmic joke at my expense? All I wanted was to go out to dinner tonight with a beautiful man who finds me attractive enough to want to spend the night enjoying each other’s company. Instead, I keep getting unwanted attention from people I would not associate with ever. Apparently, my prayers have not been specific enough so let me clarify right now, I enlighten the heavens. I want to go to dinner with Rick, have a great time with Rick and then spend the night with Rick. It is a very simple request.
I thought I had it made when he asked me to go to dinner. That is half the battle. I already have his attention now I just have to figure out how to keep it. It should not be that hard a thing to do but for some reason, there is always a roadblock. Just once, I would like to be able to plan an occasion and have it go just the way I want it to. Deep breaths, take deep breaths before you open your mouth a voice echoes deep inside my head. I could not even tell you what company this guy works for. I’m surprised to see him in a suit though. Usually it’s a kid in a baseball hat hawking their wares.
“No thank you,” I say firmly making sure, he understands his time is over. I know they are just trying to make a living but today is not the day to intrude on my life. Shutting the door, I lean against it with my back trying to focus on my breathing. If I take enough deep breaths, my nerves will calm down and I will be back in control. I focus on my lungs expanding with air, holding it in for a second before expelling the air into the empty room. Suddenly, the house seems excessively quiet. Even the cats have deserted the room probably anticipating my nerves getting the best of me. Sometimes I think the pacing bothers them more than it calms me. They do seem to know when I need comfort though and I’m sure they would be ready and willing to sit on my lap offering their affection if I needed it.
Before I get too far away from the door, I hear a loud crash in the street. The satellite salesman has pulled out in front of a taxi cab right in front of the house. Perfect, one more obstacle blocking the doorway. Both drivers jump out of their cars cursing at the other’s poor driving skills.
“Why don’t you watch where you’re going?” the salesman yells.
“Me, I had the right of way you idiot.” The taxi driver stood in the road shaking his fist at the salesman. “Look what you’ve done to my cab.”
“Hey, both you guys need to move your cars out from in front of my house.” I try not to feel insensitive but I need the driveway cleared before Rick gets here. “Has anyone called a tow truck yet?”
“And I called the police,” the cabbie yells. “You’re getting a ticket my friend.”
“So are you, you were speeding.”
“Prove it,” The cabbie is really upset now. Cuss words are flying a mile a minute.
“Guys calm down and get your cars out of the way.” No one is listening to the ranting woman in the cranberry dress. A siren in the distance draws closer as police arrive on the scene. The drivers are pulled aside by an officer to tell their side of the story. Ten minutes of talking resolves the situation enough to get both cars moved to the side of the road. At least the driveway is clear so Rick will have a place to park his car. Will this nonsense ever end? Nothing ever happens on this street but for some reason today the circus seems to be in town. I’d better get back inside before something happens to my dress.
After a few minutes, I head back towards the kitchen to finish my cup of coffee. If this date goes as well as I hope it does, I’m going to have to make a habit of getting out of the house and socializing. This really should not be such a big deal. A rap on the door shouldn’t unnerve me. Unnerved may be the wrong word; overly excited is a better word to describe the emotional turmoil swirling in my head. I need to concentrate on acting my age so that I don’t scare the man off before we have a chance to get to know each other. Once we really get to know each other if, he is not interested I’ll understand. On the other hand, I don’t want to act so cool that he thinks I’m not interested. Believe me, I’m interested. I guess this is the price you pay when you don’t mask your emotions with drugs or alcohol. Real feelings come to the surface and you are forced to deal with them. You can’t just put on a front reinforced with artificial bravery and hope for the best. While it would be much easier to imbibe in liquid strength before facing the unknown in the end, it would be counterproductive especially since the real you would not surface. I want Rick to experience the real me right down to skin level. I want to charm him with my wit, dazzle him with my intelligence, and excite him with my body.
If I just relax and let my mind wander, I can almost feel Rick standing in front of me one hand on either side of my shoulder. We stare longingly into each other’s eyes both of us expressing the hunger we feel inside. Slowly, his head moves closer to mine, our lips within inches of each other. I can feel his hot breath on my skin. I can almost taste his kiss on my lips. I turn my head up ever so slightly to close the gap as his lips descended on mine. I feel my breath quickened in anticipation of our skin finally meeting.
Once again, my thoughts are disturbed by a rapping noise at the door. This time I’m not going to be in such a hurry to get to the door. Slowly, I put my cup down on the table and saunter into the front room. It’s probably just another salesman here to disturb the evening. There must have been a notice sent out over the airwaves intercepted by anyone with the ability to get in my way tonight. I would not be surprised if Jellio didn’t post something at the hair salon out of frustration to pay me back for dissing her creativity. Oh, I can see it now. An 8 x 10 poster with my picture plastered in the center of it just like one of the wanted posters at the post office. She wouldn’t even have to say anything viscous on the poster just simple verbiage like “if you see this woman she is willing to buy whatever you have to sell.” My address posted in plain sight directing them to their next mark. I’m surprised there’s not flashing yellow arrows coming down the sidewalk leading right up to my door with a neon sign saying, “All salesmen enter here.” Just thinking about all of the intrusions tonight starts making my blood boil. Why of all nights do people pick tonight to barge into my life. I have lived here for years and have not seen as many salespeople as I have seen tonight. Reaching for the doorknob, I yank the door open.
“Whatever you’re selling I’m not interested in so just save the speech,” I spout, as the door violently swings open. Looking out onto the porch the color drains from my face. Standing in front of me decked out in his finest clothes is Rick looking completely edible with a bouquet of yellow roses in his hands. Great, I have just insulted a gorgeous man who is bringing me roses. No one has ever brought me a bouquet of roses before. I wonder if I can be any more of a jackass tonight.
“Okay then” he says. “That’s not quite the gr
eeting I was expecting but if you’ve changed your mind I can go back home.”
“No please come in. I’m so sorry but I have had a string of salesmen here tonight, more than I have had in the past few years. Each time I came to the door thinking it was you; it was somebody trying to sell me something. Then there was an accident right out front between one of the salesman and a cabbie. I was afraid it wouldn’t be cleaned up in time so you could get in the driveway. I just assumed you were another salesman.” I tried not to stammer too much as the apology tumbles from my lips. I’ve already ruined my chance at a grand entrance I don’t want to ruin the rest of the evening. This is what I get for being rude to people. One day I may learn how to control my temper. Trying to hide my embarrassment, I offer him a cup of coffee.
“That would be great,” he says a smile spreading across his lips. At least, it seems he does have a sense a humor. Following me into the kitchen, I pull a chair out for him then reach for a coffee cup. Shakily I pour a cup of coffee for him, refill my cup and turn to place them on the table. Inhale exhale try to get back under control my mind shrieks. It is just a minor glitch. The whole evening doesn’t have to be ruined just because he saw you in bitchy mode. If this was a blind date, I would expect to see him run screaming down the road but we have known each other for quite a few months so he should be able to cut me a little slack. But, if he does run away then he is not worth the bother. Turning my attention back to him, I see he still has that grin on his face. That has to be a good omen. I grip the coffee cup with both hands trying to keep my emotions under control. That grin sends electric shock waves the entire length of my body curling my toes. I wonder if it would be bad taste to jump on a man during the first date. I suppose it would be before dinner. After dinner is another story.
“I hope these flowers are okay. The bright yellow reminds me of sunshine just like you. That didn’t sound too corny did it?”
“No not at all it sounds sweet. They’re beautiful, thank you very much. Let me find a vase and I’ll put them in water so they last. No one has brought me flowers in years, not since the boys grew up.” If I had eyes in the back of my head, I would have seen Rick’s eyes gently caress my backside as I reached in the cupboard for the vase. I’m pleasantly pleased at how natural our conversation flows.
“So how was your day?” I ask hoping to lead the conversation away from our embarrassing meeting just a few minutes ago. “Did anything interesting happen today?”
“Well I just received an enthusiastic greeting by a very beautiful woman,” he said staring me directly in the eye. The twinkle in his eye as he said that did not escape me. As a matter-of-fact, it put me at ease. At least I didn’t scare him off. Besides, he said I was beautiful which shows he has good taste. Reaching across the table, he takes my hand in his as we talk about the day’s events. This is really going to be the best date ever.
♥♥♥♥♥
Shelly’s journey continues in Blame it on Vegas coming soon to Smashwords.com
Follow Michelle Charpentier at
http://eatingdinnernaked.blogspot.com
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Dinner Should be Enjoyed Naked