Back on the Bandwagon: Frannie's Second First Date

Last night I had my Second First Date.

I met "D" on the dating website. My whole life I've been a very trusting person, believing what someone told me until I had a reason to no longer believe. Now with everything I've been through recently, I've become a bit of a skeptic. So "D" claims to have 2 houses, 3 motorcycles, 2 cars and a boat… I have to wonder what such a successful guy needs with a dating website, but whatever! I'll look at this as a chance to get out of the house and have a meal with (hopefully) some interesting conversation.

I broke several of my "first date" rules this time, starting with the venue. I know I said I would always have my first date in my "safe place," my friend's bar. I broke that rule because I mentioned in my last post, "D" had already scored some points with me and I felt meeting him halfway (geographically) would be the least I could do. Besides, I had been in communication with him for (what seems like) and exorbitantly long time and I felt I could trust him.

"D" suggested a few restaurants that were about equidistant for both of us and we eventually agreed upon a small Italian place that has apparently been open for close to 100 years. I had to GPS my way there but I found it without too much problem… until I got there. The parking lot was empty and the building was dark. I tried the door anyway - locked. No sign on the door stating their hours. I even took a few steps backward to check the sign above the door. Yep! I had the right place! Uh oh… What's going on? This wasn't the most dangerous part of the city, but I didn't really know exactly where I was, and it didn't seem to be very populated. I began to get nervous. Was this a set up? Should I have invested in some pepper spray or mace???

I got out my phone and called "D." "Did you check to make sure they're open tonight?"

"Yes, they're open every night except Tuesdays."

"Well, they're not open tonight."

"Really? Well, I'm only a few minutes away. I'll be right there."

"Okay, I'll be in my car."

We had not been having the greatest weather for the past 24 hours. And the weather at the time was not exactly conducive to standing outside a closed restaurant, so I went back to wait in my car. And I waited… and waited… and waited…

Okay - it was probably only about 8 minutes, but still! This was not going well.

Finally, my phone rang. "Where are you?" I asked.

"In the parking lot."

"I'm in the parking lot!"

"Are you sure you're at the right place?"

"Big white building? On G***** Street?"

"Yeah, that's it."

"Maybe we're on opposite sides of the building?"

"Hang on - I'm walking around the building."

Then he appeared around the corner. We walked back up to the front together and guess what… the door was still locked! We decided the restaurant must have closed because of the weather and we should find someplace else to dine. Seeing as this was more "his town," than mine, I let him choose an Irish Pub and followed him there. Thankfully, it was in a part of town I was much more familiar with.

The rest of the night went fairly smoothly. The restaurant was almost completely deserted so we had the place to ourselves. The food was good, the conversation flowed. A couple of things caught my attention…

More than once, he mentioned money in one form or another. Now again, if I choose to believe everything he says, he is better than well-to-do. He makes a LOT of money. You wouldn't know it just by looking at him though. But at one point during the conversation he tried to get me to guess how much he'd paid for his NFL season tickets. I told him not only could I not venture a guess, but I wouldn't want to know. Another time I was joking with him that he should have been a lawyer (based on some philosophy of his on arguing a point). He told me he wouldn't have been a lawyer because they don't make as much money as he does.  Now, don't get me wrong, I like money. But anyone who knows me knows it's not the most important thing in my life. I make enough to get by and occasionally buy myself something I want. But I don't like discussing money and I had to wonder why he kept bringing it up. Was he trying to impress me? Is this just natural conversation for him?

The other thing, and this was more endearing than annoying, is how he told me how he worked on his appearance before our date. Apparently, he hadn't cut his hair in about 6 months and he'd let his beard get very scraggly. He looked very presentable for our date. He'd spent part of the day cleaning himself up. I thought that was sweet, but again - why point it out to me? Was he just nervous? I doubt I could make anyone nervous. Is he just trying too hard?

The waitress caught on that it was a first date. (She asked me about it when he excused himself to the restroom.) So she let us stay way beyond paying the check (which he took care of without question). Again, the restaurant was deserted so it's not like they needed the table. When they were finally getting ready to close, he walked me to my car. And… this is where I broke another "first date rule." I let him kiss me goodnight. Actually, I wasn't even expecting it, but he moved in and… well… 

He waited for me to leave first - very gentlemanly. I emailed him when I got home, thanking him for the evening. I haven't heard back yet but I am hopeful. I imagine a second date with "D" will go much better than my last second date!