Perfect Date

I crossed the street from work, headed to the very convenient bar. I really enjoyed the place. It had all the smells of a great dive bar, and the beer was always ice cold. I was apprehensive the first time I walked in years before. I had just arrived in town to start a new job the following Monday, it had started to snow just as I crested the pass in the mountains, and I just beat it down to the town. By the time I’d unloaded my truck, it was dark and the snow was almost a foot deep. I walked down the main drag, right in the middle of the street. No one was around and nothing was open. Just when I’d given up on finding any dinner, I saw the neon glow from the beer signs in the windows at the end of the block. Turns out the people were very friendly, even if they were curious as to who I was and why I was there in such weather. The clacking of pool balls, the smell of stale beer, and the laughter and conversation of people half in the bag made me feel right at home. I met the owners that night, they were both there because the place was packed. Stands to reason if you’re the only one open, you get all the business! They were both very nice and we shot the breeze when they got breaks. Oh, the barkeep was pretty cute to boot.

That night I walked in, and let my eyes adjust to the dimmer light, and made my way to the bar. By then I knew about everyone in there, and I sat next to a woman I knew. The cute bartender came over, I ordered my usual, and she brought me a “dingle” of Irish whiskey. A dingle is almost a double at the single price. Guess I’m special. Once it was poured and I thanked her, she moved back a few feet down the bar to talk to a woman I did not know. That was unusual in that little mountain town. One of the owners was in the back cooking, but since they were close, I heard the conversation of the stranger and the barkeep. The burn from the whiskey and the tart taste of it was pleasant while I listened.

“There just aren’t any good ones out there.” The bottle blonde said to her. She was maybe forty, but looked fit.

“Oh, I know.” Mary the bartender replied. “I’ve met my share. They don’t even try anymore.”

“No kidding.” I tried to size her up out of the corner of my eye.

“It used to be they would want to sweep you off your feet!” Mary the barkeep said with a smile.

“”I doubt any know how!” The other lady exclaimed a bit loudly. “I haven’t met one…”

I had finished my drink while I listened to the conversation, and asked for a refill. When Mary came and poured it for me I felt obligated to defend our side of the chromosome. So, I told her I didn’t think it was true.

“What isn't true?”

“I think some men can sweep you off your feet.” I spoke loud enough for both to hear.

“Well, how would you do that, mister, I’m all ears.” The other woman echoed, “...me too.”

“First, I’d get you time off.” I said to Mary, then. “Hey T, would you give Mary two days off in a row?”

“Sure. Like a Monday and Tuesday.” She said. “Why?”

“A date. Maybe someone wants to take her out.” She shrugged and went back to the kitchen.

“See?” I said.

“I couldn’t go, I need the money.”

“I’d make sure it was a “paid” vacation day.” I just wouldn't mention it.

“But now I know!” She laughed.

“I might still fall for it.” said the other woman. We all laughed.

“Still.” Mary said. “I still have my kid.”

“Babysitter… easy.” I replied. “I’d have already checked with your mom to make sure it’s all good.”

They were silent for a bit.

“Okay, so then what?’ Mary asked.

“Well, I’d call you or send you a message on a few things to pack. I don’t know what you’ll pick to do, so you’ll have to be prepared.”

“Pick what?”

“We’ll get to that.” I smiled. “But once we have these issues all handled, I’m going to pick you up in my rig.”

“So you wouldn’t take her far away?” The second woman, Deborah, asked.

“I didn’t say that. But it is a short time away, so not too far. My plan is to take the train from Eugene to Portland. It’s a fun way to go, since you can really talk without concentrating on driving.” I explained. “Besides, it’s a pretty ride.”

“I’d love to try a train. It sounds like fun... But how would we get around?” Deborah seemed concerned with Mary’s question.

“Well, that depends on you, dear. We would take an early train, so we’d arrive late in the morning. We'd have breakfast at Le Café Maison waiting for our train, and I ask what you’d rather do. Either a visit to the Portland Rose Garden, a tour of the cities best brewpubs, even though that might be too much like work.” I smiled. I was forty-five, probably fifteen years older than Mary and a few less on her friend. “Finally, there’s the zoo and then the waterfront. See why a mix of clothes are needed?” They nodded. “So, if it’s one, it might be a limo with flowers in it. One cold be an Uber with the flowers coming to the first stop. Just depends.”

“Okay.” They both seemed perplexed.

“Then, whichever one she chooses, we still go and get changed for dinner when we get back. I’ll have reservation to Chart House. Might as well eat with a view!”

“You said change. Where?” Mary asked.

“Well, that depends, but a couple rooms in a five star. I may have a condo open by then.” He said. “But easy enough.”

“You wouldn’t need two rooms…” Deborah nodded emphatically at the comment.

“Oh yes, I certainly would. To have one room is to assume too much. You know it’s true.”

They both agreed, and debated what activity they would enjoy most. I told them I’d leave time to get a cocktail dress, my treat, for dinner. More conversation. They both had different choices for the afternoon, and I just smiled.

“So then, after dinner there would be another choice. If the Blazers were in town, I’d have a line on tickets, I know Mary loves them. I'd try and get us down to meet them. If not, perhaps the Winter Hawks.” I paused. “Or, I’d see what acts were in town and give you a choice. Then a taxi back to the hotel.”

“You definitely wouldn’t sleep alone!” Mary said with concurrence for her friend.

“Ah, but that’s not my goal. I want to sweep you off your feet!” I said to them.

They discussed for a minute before conceding that it could do just that. Then both of them asked when I could take them out on a special date. Mary already knew, but the new patron had no idea, so when the woman to my right spoke up, she was taken back just a bit.

“Oh, he’s full of it.” She said. “I’ve been with him for eight years and married to him five. He just talks a good game.”

The new lady, I was calling her “Deb” by then, looked a bit miffed. She said that not only were all the good ones taken, but so were the bad ones! That kind of made everyone but her chuckles a little. She realized everyone else knew.

“I said I could do it.” I sipped my drink, the aroma was strong in my nose. “Not that I would do it.”

I was saying it to a door that was closing. My wife said I was buying her drinks that night. I had no choice but to agree. I also had to make up for the tip Deb never left. I’m a sucker like that. Still, it made me smile.

[WC: 1378]