The Date 2006

We have been friendly chatters for a while now. and have met once in real life on a previous date. So we decided to set up another date. And I've been busy anticipating this date for a few days, rearranged my work schedule to accommodate being out of town. And the time is finally here. Rush home from work and shower, get ready, grab the pre-packed overnight bag, and head out the door. Because of the amount of driving, I knew that I would need to stop and get gas along the way. About an hour from home, I found a station and pulled in, filled up. When I got back in the car to start it, the car didn't seem right. (I knew in my gut at this point that I should turn and go back home, but anticipation won out!) Since the car is running, I choose to keep going, as I have one more stop along the way. Heading down the road, before I get back on the freeway, I see my last stop. A place called Hollywood Hustlers. Yep,,, a toy store ;)

I scuttle inside and make my selection, and pay for it, grinning on the inside as I think about what his reaction will be to my choice. I hurry back to my car and press the key fob to unlock the doors. and nothing happens. *press* *click* *press*press*press* nothing! huh? After a blonde moment, I realize I can open the door with the key (duh) and hop in the car, and attempt to start it. Nothing. Won't even turn over. OHhh Geeez. Now what??? stop and think. Call my son for ideas. Nothing. *sigh*

First call to AAA. And after the usual round of questions is : Ma'am, what's the address where you're at? And I don't have a clue what the address is. So, I chuckle and tell him to tell the driver the name of the store, it's the only one anywhere near here, and I'm sure they all know where it's at. (by this time, I'm blushing furiously as I talk to him on the phone, but ... he's sending someone out.) So, I sit down in my car to wait.

Next phone call is to my date: Guess what? My car broke down. Where are you? he asks. So, I fess up and tell him I broke down at the toy store. And he asks three questions: Are you ok? In a safe place? and What did you buy?? He's amazing, making me laugh in the middle of my crisis. Call me back, he says. So I hang around and wait.

The tow truck driver arrives, and checks over the car, and says yeah, more than just a battery, sounds like an alternator. Well, at 6pm on a weeknight, I'm not sure I'd find a mechanic who can fix that and get me back on the road, so I determine the truck driver needs to tow me home. *sigh* As he's loading up my car, I call my date and tell him what the problem is, and we bemoan the fact our date didn't happen. Call me when you get home safe, baby, he tells me. Ok, I will, I answer back.

So, up into the tow truck I climb. And I'm all kinds of shades of red because of where I broke down at, and the other obvious fact that I shopped first. The truck driver and I exchange a few brief comments about where to and that. We get on the highway and he gets this grin on his face... and glances over at me. I glance back, still blushing and trying to calm all the nerves I'm feeling. And he looks at me and asks: So, did you get all your Christmas shopping done??