The date seemed doomed to failure from the get-go. Not only was it a blind date, already diminishing the chances of the dates success, but it was a blind date at a noisy restaurant; noisy restaurants are not conducive to good conversation, which is key to a successful blind date. That being said, Alice had to fight a mental battle on whether or not she was even going to show up. In the end, she decided to go, out of politeness more than anything else -- she'd been shown up before and remembered how it made her feel; she didn't want to be the cause of that feeling in someone else. Besides, she thought, who knows -- I might actually get lucky and meet a girl I can get along with, maybe even someone I'd want to see again.
Having finally made the decision to go, Alice found that she'd begun to actually look forward to the date, enjoying the nervous tension that gradually built up inside of her as the day dragged on. It got to the point at which she was actually watching the clock, waiting for five o'clock, counting down the minutes until she would be free; when that time came she hardly took the time to clock out before leaving the store for the weekend.
On the car ride home she began to fantasize about how the date would go. They'd meet and the girl would be as beautiful as she describes herself, she would be smart, funny, and they'd hit it off right away. After a few drinks, a good meal, and some amazing conversation, she'd inquire about going for a nightcap, perhaps at her place. The girl would come back and they'd make love. In the living room, on her spacious couch. Then in her bedroom, on the bed, on the floor. They'd finish up in the shower, washing each other intently, lovingly, before the retiring to bed, where they would sleep together, in each other's arms.
A semi-truck sounding its horn brought her back to reality and she managed to make her exit without causing an accident.
***
Later on that evening Alice pulled into the parking lot of Club Mod. It was a little early for the Friday night crowd, so she was lucky enough to find a spot close by. Fetching her purse before locking the door, she felt that nervous apprehension return to her with a vengeance. Each step that brought her closer to the front doors -- and the beautiful hostesses standing just within the threshold -- sent a flitter of anxiety down her spine. I'm going to do this, she repeats to herself over and over again inside her head. I'm going to do this and I'm going to enjoy this. I've nothing to be embarrassed about, nothing.
Approaching the double glass doors she is forced to confront her reflection and allows herself a moment of shameless pride; damn, I look good. Dirty-blonde hair down to her shoulders -- tastefully concealing them, for she always felt that her shoulders were too big for her body -- and styled loosely about her face; dark brown eyes, looking moist and alive; petite, and well-proportioned. She'd chosen a pair of dark jeans and a dark blouse for this date, casual and classy.
Inside the doors she was hit by the bass line of the music, thump thump thump, coming through the thin walls separating the dance floor from the restaurant/lobby. One of the hostesses, a tall leggy blonde, approached her.
"Hi, welcome to Club Mod. Are you here for the restaurant or the club?" She asked her voice too light and musical for such a loud environment.
"I'm here for the restaurant. I'm meeting someone, could you tell me if she's arrived?" Alice replied, surprised at her own confidence.
"The name?"
"I believe the reservation is for Vanessa, at eight-thirty."
"Ah, yup, she's here. Stella will show you to your table," the hostess said, indicating a petite, raven-haired woman standing to her left -crossing something off of a list.
"Hi, would you care to follow me please?" Stella said and led them down a short hallway and into a separate dining room. Inside it was quite full, but Alice had no trouble in identifying her date amongst the various people within. She was gorgeous, almost unbearably so.
She recognized Alice as well, standing up, smiling, and waving to the approaching pair. Alice felt her heart leap into her throat and felt very self-conscious. Vanessa was tall, slender, curvaceous, and had dressed perfectly to accent her figure. Her blonde hair was loose and looked silky, complimenting her virginal white mini dress; in fact, everything about her had an innocent beauty to it -- from her creamy pale skin to her clear blue eyes.
"Hi, Alice? I'm Vanessa," she said, and we both sat down.
"Nice to meet you."
"Likewise!"
She was bubbly and lively and interesting. Alice felt herself captivated by the strange woman sitting across from her, easily succumbing to her charms.
"So, Alice, tell me about yourself."
And Alice did. She was twenty-one years old, originally from Quebec city, lived with her parents and worked for a large book chain. She had been married once, for a year, and her marriage had ended in an easy -- she used the word objectively -- divorce. Afterwards, she'd had a string of bad boyfriends and after an 'experience' she had with another woman, she came to the conclusion that she was gay.
Vanessa listened attentively to all of this, genuinely interested, sipping her drink appreciatively and commenting when necessary.
"Wow! You've lead quite an interesting life," and then realizing her mistake, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to belittle, or suggest that I find it amusing that you, or, um, never mind..." she trailed off.
Vanessa reddened in embarrassment.
Alice felt her heart melt.
"That's okay! That's okay, I know what you meant," she said and smiled. Vanessa smiled back.
"What about you? Tell me about yourself?"
"Oh boy, where to begin. I'm twenty-three, live by myself and work as a waitress most nights and weekends. I've been gay for as long as I can remember, but I've only had a few relationships and they never lasted very long."
Alice thought it strange that they both began this date by relating how unsuccessful they both were at maintaining relationships -- albeit for very different reasons, but still; it either boded very well or very poorly for the two of them.
Vanessa wasn't nearly as focussed on talking about herself as she'd been listening to Alice and quickly changed the subject of the conversation.
"Have you been here before?"
"No, have you?"