The Second
The first time was great.
Easy, fun, nice place, comfy seats.
The second time, I was eager, probably too eager in hindsight.
I made the call, usually I’d text, but they say convention goes out of the window.
In the days before there was no contact.
Not even a confirmation.
T-minus none, and I was running late.
I rushed home, quick shower, ran out of the door.
As soon as I walked in, I knew something wasn’t right.
I sat down, made polite conversation.
How was your day?
What are you doing this weekend?
Did you get up to anything good last night?
It felt different.
We’d already done all the basic getting to know one other questions, neither of us knew where to go next.
…
What do you want?, she said.
…
Short back and sides please.
And that was the last word spoken.
I paid, left, and never returned.