DNA Part 4
I could barely get through any homework that day. I sat at my desk switching between that week’s readings and stressing over what to wear on this official first date. I felt like such a girl as I tossed clothes out of the closet looking for that perfect outfit. However, nothing compared to the anxiety I was feeling due to Theo’s barrage of questions about my seemingly new upbeat attitude. I tried my best to hide the overwhelming excitement for that evening’s festivities, but Theo wasn’t just any old friend. Theo had known me since first grade. We grew up together and our parents treated each of us like their own son. So, after many years of being around a person you start to pick up on their feelings. In this case, Theo was sure that something was up and intended to get to the bottom of it. I was actually just waiting for the right moment to tell him about Adrian.
Like after I died and in my will sounded about right.
Five o’clock rolled around and Theo finally left for dinner. I told him I wasn’t hungry knowing full well I had other plans. As soon as the door slammed I headed to the shower. I could rest easy now that my actions were not being monitored and analyzed. I shaved the little stubble that had grown across my face and added product to my hair hoping it would at least resemble something natural and effortless. It was hit or miss. Then I slathered on some body oil and the usual smell goods including my signature cologne at the time, Curve. I thought it was funny that all the girls I ever dated could name that scent immediately after giving me a whiff. I hoped that Adrian would also like it. I was still nervous about the whole situation. I couldn’t help but wonder if I had always felt this way. I remember thinking that something like this doesn’t happen everyday, more like once in a lifetime.
And the award for biggest cliche goes to……!
I wanted to keep it casual with my attire. I wore blue jeans, a white v-neck shirt, a thin red cardigan, and to pull it all together a pair of black chucks adorned my feet. As I waited for Adrian to arrive, I read his note again. I wanted to believe it was the beginning of something great. I wanted to believe it was where my story really began. I wanted to believe it wasn’t too good to be true. I put the note back in the bottom of my desk drawer when I heard a knock at the door. The clock next to my TV read 7:20. Of course he was late, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
I opened the door and there he was wearing a light blue fitted button-down shirt that had fine white horizontal and vertical lines all over it. His jeans fit him in all the right places and accented his naturally slender waist. I checked him out from head to toe. I could tell he had just gotten a fresh haircut and was wearing a new pair of red high top sneakers. I must have been staring for a while because I saw his lips moving, but only heard the last part of a sentence.
Adrian: ………..you look great! Wow. Just wow.
Me: Thanks. You look amazing too.
Adrian: Ready to go and have some fun? Maybe upset some small minded people in the process.
He stretched his hand out to grab mine and I gripped it tightly. I was not letting go for anyone this time. We began to walk to the parking lot and Adrian snicked in a kiss on my cheek as we exited the dormitory doors. He had parked his red 4X4 in the loading zone, so we hopped in and headed to dinner. I thought he might take me to some secluded little hole in the wall on the outskirts of town, but I was surprised again by this guy.
Me: So where are we going? The suspense is killing me.
Adrian: *chuckles Well, I would like you to remember this as our first real date. So, somewhere special.
Me: Special? Hope you’re not looking to get lucky tonight.
Adrian: I am already lucky.
Me: Corny!
Adrian: It’s true. You aren’t like anyone I’ve met before.
As we slowed for a red light, I began to recall what restaurant was in this direction. The light turned green and we crossed two more intersections to arrive at Mem’s. I would call this place magical if I didn’t know it was created and staffed by mortals. My face lit up as Adrian chose a empty parking spot out front. The building was located in between a flower shop and a upscale clothing boutique. It was old but renovated to meet today’s standards. The facade stood out with floor to ceiling glass windows and doors. The original brick walls were left exposed along with the wooden beams that once held up its roof. The entire dining space was illuminated by candles on each table. You could see the light spilling out into the street from a block away. White table cloths and lavender flowers completed the scene.
Adrian and I walked up to the front entrance and were greeted by a doorman dressed in a black suit. “Welcome to Memories, where each night is never forgotten.” We stepped up to the hostess hand in hand. Adrian had made the reservation after we parted ways on Thursday morning.
What a cocky bastard! How could he have known I’d even say yes or that I was free?
We were seated at a table right next to the front windows. I felt like a king as I unraveled the napkin to put it in my lap. This guy had went all out and wasn’t afraid to show his affection from the start. I looked across the table watching the reflection of the candle flicker in his eyes.
Me: How did you know I’d say yes to this date?
Adrian: I didn’t, but I hoped you would.
Me: You really are a special guy.
Adrian: Nothing special about me except the fact that I can juggle.
I laughed at his outright admission of his past life as a circus performer, so I told him to prove it. He grabbed three of the complimentary rolls and started to toss them into the air. One roll went flying into my lap, and another onto the floor with him saving only the last one before it hit the couple at the table behind us. We both laughed as I scolded him for his little lie. We talked for a while about how nervous we both were before we actually got here then my phone started to ring. It was my mother calling for her nightly quick talk session. I pressed ignore and Adrian gave me an interested look.
Adrian: Who was that? Not that I’m complaining about having your full attention.
Me: My mom.
Adrian: Dude, you can’t push ignore on your mom.
Me: We talk every night, it’s no big deal. I’ll call her tomorrow.
Adrian: No, its cool. Call her back now. You never know when it is your last call.
Adrian wouldn’t let it go until I called my mom back. I talked to her for a few minutes and explained how I was on a date with someone I really liked. Adrian smiled like a Cheshire cat as I updated her on my life. Just as the called ended our food came to the table. Like such simple guys, we both went to a fancy restaurant and ordered burgers and fries essentially. Although mine was a truffle burger and Adrian opted for the old fashioned with thick cut bacon they were still both just burgers. Great big burgers, but still burgers nonetheless. We laid into our food like we had not eaten for days. I watched Adrian pick the onions off of his burger before taking a giant bite out of it. We filled our gullet to the tone of a half completed meal and began to talk more again.
Me: Why did you think it was so important to call my mom back? She calls all the time that was her 5th call today.
Adrian: I don’t know it’s sweet. Your mom thinks about you enough to call so much.
Me: Yeah, I guess. I’m sure your mom calls just as much. Don’t all moms.
I laughed at the end hoping he had experienced the same problems with overprotective parents growing up, but he revealed something unexpected instead. He told me his parents had two children. He had an older brother who he didn’t see much and regretted that they weren’t closer. His dad had been diagnosed with lung cancer at a young age. He watched him pass away and how hard it was on his mother. At the time she had just began her career in the Military. He said she seemed to push them away after that devastating event in their life. He was sent to live with an uncle in Miami until she was stationed in Tennessee. His eyes welled up with tears as he told me about how much he wished he had a mom like mine. I thought about how unappreciated my mom might feel or how lonely she must be. All of her kids were now adults and away at college or into their careers. I couldn’t help but feel a deep connection with Adrian. I watched my parents go through a nasty divorce with my dad leaving home at the start of my 9th grade year. When Adrian paused to regain his composure, I pulled him in close and kissed him on the cheek. Up until that moment, I was always the one being kissed, but this time I couldn’t go another second. Adrian looked into my eyes and I knew he understood that from now on he didn’t have to worry about being alone with his thoughts or feelings.
Me: I think my mom wouldn’t mind having another son to call and harass. I can’t wait to introduce you to her.
Adrian: Whoa. Slow down partner. Don’t I have to ask your dad for permission first.
We laughed and the heavy mood began to lift, so we went back to devouring our burgers. I saw something then in him that I hadn’t seen in anyone before that day. He had a real sense of compassion and empathy that most people at our age fail to achieve.
Adrian asked for the check and handed the waiter his credit card. I attempted to split the cost, but he almost yelled at me for even suggesting such a thing.
How could I argue with an attractive guy and a free meal.
Adrian kept hold of my hand as we headed for the door. Other people in the restaurant looked on as if we were a pair of fish walking on land. I thought it was great, proudly strolling out of Mem’s with Adrian close and my head held high.
Freedom! I screamed it loudly inside my head.
We got back into Adrian’s car and headed to catch the last showing of a movie the night. I teased him about his lack of driving skills and told him to keep his eyes on the road and not me. To combat my insults, he got really close to the steering wheel and drove below the speed limit. We laughed and joked right up until we pulled up to the theater. The thought of being in a dark room next to him awakened new urges. I wanted to touch his body, but my devout Christian parents screamed into my ears, “Don’t do it.” As we walked up to the ticket booth, I tried to control my lustful thoughts and now wandering hands.
To be continued…...
*Each post in this series will be accompanied by a song that sums up this part of the story. So go listen to!
