Part 2...
So, FINALLY we were off on our date. We went to Chili's, because he wasn't an adventurous eater and he had never been there before...WHAT? We got there and I went to open my car door and he yelled "WAIT!" I was curious but he came over and opened my car door. We walked inside holding hands which I thought I was so cute, and it was packed!! We sat at the bar because it was so crowded and started to chat when the bartender came over and got our drink order. It was so easy and fun and I was starting to rethink my whole "retirement plan" but I was guarded in case this was another first date that would be our last. We ordered and continued to talk and get to know each other better. We knew a lot from our marathon conversation the night before, but this was the good stuff. Plans, dreams, future ideas. He was so real it scared me a little because I really liked him and had been hurt before. He just totally opened up and told me about his past mistakes and how he was trying to do right by his kids and I was sinking fast. We talked about my upcoming surgery and how nervous I was. I have always been a person that put myself down in a sarcastic way, and he called me on it at dinner. He told me if we were going to date, then that had to stop right away and I needed to start thinking like the woman I was, not the girl I was before.
We finished dinner and we were going to go to karaoke, but had awhile until it started to I asked him where he wanted to go. He told me the mall. WHAT?? O.K. The mall it is. We drove to Fashion Place Mall. We walked in, again holding hands (so cute) and got to the center of it and I said, "Where do you want to go?" He looked down at me and said..."I want to play a game with you and I want you to just play along...o.k.?"
Here we go....the weird guy emerges...I thought.
I agreed, reluctantly.
He continued..."Where was the one store you always wanted to shop in, but never could when you were the old you?"
"Uhhhhh....all of them?" I smiled.
He rolled his eyes. "No, really. What was the one store you couldn't shop in that you couldn't because of your size?"
Again I said...."All of them." Looking puzzled.
"Could you just humor me for a minute?"
He was getting a little annoyed and I was squirming a bit because I didn't know where he was going with this.
"Brad, honestly. Other than Lane Bryant, I couldn't shop in any of these stores. It was horrible. I'm sorry I don't know what you want me to say..." I looked away from him.
He put his hand under my chin and lifted it up. "I'm not trying to make you upset. I just want to do something, and I need you to think outside the box here." He gave me a little kiss.
"Well, when I was looking for something to wear in November to my nephew's baptism, I was shocked ad cried a little when I found something to wear in Eddie Bauer. That was amazing! How about there?" I hoped that would work...
"Can I pick one?' he asked.
"Sure." I just hoped he didn't pick Spencer's or Victoria's Secret...
He picked Sears. Just like a guy :)
So, we went to Sears. He took me up to the upstairs clothing section. We walked around a bit and I was really curious. Then we went into the ladies nightie section...
UH OH!
Ummmmmmm....
He walked over and told me to pick out something I wouldn't pick out for myself as the old me.
I must have looked a little uncomfortable, because he looked into my eyes and said, "Trust Me. I am not going to get weird here."
I picked out a few things and then he had me try them on.
WHAT? o.k...I played along.
I found a cute black and pink little nightie and tried it on first. It was the first time I had ever worn something like that and it was so cute. I hadn't realized how much my body had changed and I loved it. I tried on some other stuff but the first was my favorite. I went back out and told him. He liked it and told me I should look around a little more. I did and when I came back, he asked me if that was still my favorite. It was. He said, o.k, and grabbed my hand and walked over to the check out. I looked at him and asked why he wanted to buy it for me and he looked down and said, "I want to buy you something for the new you. It's time you started thinking and shopping for her, not the old you."
I was stunned. We had just met and he was buying me a gift. It touched my heart.
Then he looked at me and said, "I hope I get to see you in this someday."
O.K.....new subject... :)
Then, we went to karaoke. We went to Rock Bottom where my friend Todd works as a DJ. It was hopping that night and I had warned him that it was accurately named...He laughed when we got there and told me this was just his kind of place. Whew. We sat down and ordered a couple of sodas because he had to drive a long way home. I introduced him to Todd and we started to look over the music selection. He found a few songs right away and I soon learned his type of music was old school country. I so hoped he could sing...
Todd, of course let Brad start off the night and he sang "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash. HOLY CRAP!! He could sing!! I was totally digging him right then. This was like a dream. He finished and I went crazy as did everyone else there. He was amazing! Todd looked over and mouthed, "SCHWWEET!!" He sat down and decided it was time to see if I could sing. I went up and sang one of my stand by's...Pat Benatar's "All Fired Up" I love that song. He cheered and smiled as I came over. We chatted and kissed and had a wonderful time.
Later on, a lady went up and sang a country love song and he grabbed my hand and said "Let's Go Dance..." We danced and he sang in my ear. I was in trouble...
We sang and laughed and Todd came over and chatted and he liked Brad a lot which was good for me. We stayed way too late and I felt so guilty because by then I knew how far he had to travel. He just laughed and told me he didn't want the evening to end. We finally left at 1am and he took me back to the house. We kissed some more and then I let him go. It was the most amazing night of my life and I was walking on clouds. I just hoped I would see him again and he felt the same way...
When he showed up the next morning to surprise me and take me to breakfast, I nearly fainted!
To Be Continued...
