Is it sad when your 29 years old and now going on your very first date? I am actually nervous but we have been hanging out as friends so why the butterflies?
"Bro, tell me your going to wear something nicer then that."
"Tony what's wrong with this?" I look in my mirror it's a nice t-shirt goes well with the the dark jeans.
"It's a date, not a friend hang out, be a little dressed up" he goes to my closet and picks out my dress pants and one of my blue dress shirts and a dark blue tie.
"Really?!" it looks like stuff you wear to a office job or what I wear to the banquet and team Christmas party, because that is the only time out side of funerals I wear a suit.
"Hey bro, is this really your first ever date?, I know I was in Bali for a while but seriously haven't you dated?"
"Seriously sad but true my very first ever date at 29, isn't that pathetic!" I take my clothes to the washroom and change.
"Wow, thought since you reached most of your career goals you would have started dating by now, you really are a work alcoholic" he isn't wrong, have some championships to prove it.
"Yup, so you saw all my thropies right!" I snicker, semi joking of course, he snickers back "Should I unpack all of mine? would need a new display case to show them all" it really is nice having him here.
"All seriousness bro, good to have you home, missed you." I mean it, I didn't make it out to visit him as much as I liked, don't get me wrong once or twice a year I would fly over but it isn't the same as on the same community, or same house.
"Me too, I'm almost thankful for your accident, more grateful your alive." I come out of the washroom, he gives me a hug, "you look good bro".
"Thanks, why am I nervous?" I mean she whispered she would like being my girlfriend, we have become friends, seems like I shouldn't feel nervous.
"Not sure, what did she whisper in your ear, in the pool?" I felt myself blush Tony didn't miss that detail "oh man, must have been good to get that red".
"Hey man it wasn't sexy or anything just sweet about the date, looking forward to it, that's all" not sure why I didn't mention the couple part by Christmas eve dinner.
"It's going to be fine, I can tell she likes you" how can he tell.
He starts joking around about do I need the talk, I may be a late bloomer when it comes to dating but I don't need the sex talk.
I must admit it's strange, she's getting ready in another room and she'll be driving, I still haven't been cleared for any driving yet, a lot will be decided in the new year, contract ends mid January so all I can do is what and see, right now my focus is on my date.
I come downstairs, I used my cane and did the stairs slowly, wow, Amber's already at the door joking with Dad as if she came to pick me up she isn't as dressed up as the banquet but with her hair and makeup done up she looks stunning.
We make our way to the car, "have I ever apologized for how weird they can be?"
"No need too, their sweet, this family unit is a blessing, your lucky to have them." I finished buckling my seat belt and turn to face her, looking her in the eyes I reply "I know, love them dearly".
"What movie did you have in mind?" asking as she turns the car on, "don't know forgot to check what was playing, just thought we would pick when we get there, is that cool with you?" I feel embarrassed is this a failure not planning a date?
"Totally cool, you did make sure to bring your wallet though right?" she is laughing, "yeah why?" she just looks at me before she backs up the car, "first date the guy buys!"
"That was the plan, even when it was just to be hanging out, thought it would be nice" most of our time lately was the hospital and hospice, although we did try and make it fun and filled with happiness, it wasn't going out.
"Thank you, for being there for me, I don't think you realize how much that has meant to me, O mean you shared about going through that with your mom and seeing how my dad died when I was much younger I didn't really have support so thank you" hear tone tells me tears may not be far away, is this to soon?.
"Is this to soon?" I really need to ask, if we are going to get serious then I don't want to blow it by moving to fast after her moms death, I really hope that was the last funeral for a while.
"No, truth is my Mom implied the same thing as your family, she liked you, said you felt like a nice son in law she didn't want to leave, but she was ready, tired of being sick and in pain, she could go now as she felt I have you now" wow, I am choked up, she has gentle tears lightly
making there way down her cheek, I look around to see if she has tissues, didn't think to bring any, at the stop light while the light was red, I wiped those tears as sweetly as I could, moved her hair behind her ear and told her " She was cool, it felt like I had a mom again for a little while, but our mom's are hanging out in heaven, becoming besties."
The light turns green, we get to the movie theater, pick a comedy, get our snacks and drinks, seat back row center and eat and laugh together, she takes the long way back stopping the ice cream place, we share a banana spilt, and I guess I had whipped cream on my lips because she leaned in and kissed it off, thank goodness we had already finished that ice cream because that kiss lingered.