I invited PTC to come with me to see a movie this past Friday night. We chatted all week via text as this is his preferred form of communication. Mine too at this point because it's easier, faster, and more convenient at the job site. But, I digress ...
Just prior to meeting I received yet another text. In the seconds it took me to click through the phone to view it, I was thinking that maybe he was writing to tell me he was either already there or alternatively, running late. No. The text informed me that he preferred to greet with a kiss on the cheek, European style, rather than hug (as is my custom). He then typed that he was telling me this so I wouldn't be weirded out. Interesting. At first I thought this was just cute and I wrote back, saying that the kiss on the cheek was no problem. Then, the more I thought about it, the more I became convinced that I should not be confused by this fellow anymore. I should not doubt his interest in me or question his heterosexual status. The realization dawned as I crossed the street and caught sight of the theater.
He's super duper ridiculously shy. Everything fell into place. He is afraid of me. He is terrified of making a move. During our dates he's never once mentioned an XGF or even another women he's dated. Maybe he's never had a GF. I think he hides behind his artistic, contact wearing, PTC weirdness because he feels nervous that people won't accept that weirdness. Thing is, I really dig the weirdness. What I do not dig, however, is the very real possibility that things could proceed between us as they have been unless I jump HIM. And I don't think I can (unless I'm aided by copious amounts of gin) and don't really want to. I mean, I WANT to, but jumping him and initiating a physical relationship is not my job. Yes, I'm old fashioned in this sense. I want them to make the move. I want them to take my hand, turn my face towards theirs, and just kiss me. I fear this fellow will not be able to do this. I hope I'm wrong.
As he walked up, he tapped my shoulder to get my attention, crossed to the opposite side behind me to confuse me, and then when I saw him and smiled, he leaned in for the aforementioned European cheek kiss. It was nice actually ... I could feel the unshaven scratchiness of his five o' clock shadow rough against my cheek. I love that, BTW. One of my favorite things about a man.
On with the date ... we saw a movie called "Sin Nombre". This movie was fabulous. Find it at an independent theater near you and see it. Seriously, it was completely phenomenal. And anyone who knows me knows that I very rarely go to the movies. It's jut not my thing. But I'm so glad I saw this film. Very powerful. As we left the theater, I needed to make the inevitable trip to the ladies room. It took less time than I thought as everyone cooperated and moved expeditiously so I exited to meet PTC who I thought was waiting outside. But he wasn't. At least, I didn't see him. For a couple moments as I walked in circles looking like and feeling like a complete fucking idiot, I feared he left. This might seem preposterous to you but unfortunately this terrible situation has happened to me before. I was on a date in Boston and after dinner was over, I excused myself to visit the ladies room and when I came back, my date had vanished. I saw that the check had been paid and his napkin delicately placed atop his clean plate. I waited for a few minutes thinking that maybe he'd also gone to the bathroom in hopes of returning before I did. Nope. He never came back. I walked out hurriedly, so upset. I barely got to the T stop before the sobbing began.
Thankfully this situation did not repeat itself with PTC. He was lurking in some corner, reading a movie poster for an upcoming feature. I collected him and we walked out. On the way up the stairs, he mentioned he was hungry and I agreed. I suggested a pizza place I'd seen on my walk to the theater but had never actually eaten at and we decided to just try it and see. We got there and waited about 15 minutes for a table during which time we played tic-tac-toe on the children's place mat with crayons graciously given to us by the maitre de. I won which I think really frustrated him, so in order to avoid weirdness, I suggested that we move on to the Seek and Find section but just then we were told our table was ready and we sat down to order.
Dinner was good (it was pizza, always good) and we chatted about the movie and other things. He's funny in an unusual way and I really enjoy the way his mind works. We finished and he mentioned that even though he was full he really wanted some cake. So, we set off to find a place that would serve cake, downtown, at 10:30 p.m. The only place I could think of that was near where we were was the place I'd been with The Gentleman on our first date. It's a very swank, euro, modern chocolate lounge. I explained this to PTC and he immediately seemed skeptical but said we could pop in and see what the scene was. We were there for no less than 30 seconds and he put the kibosh on it. Too fancy for him. No worries, I appreciated the honesty. At the same time though, I felt a little pang of sadness at the loss of The Gentleman and his love of the fanciness.
Chin up, moving on. We finally ended up at this really cheesy, casual place that had three dessert options on the menu: ice cream, cheesecake, and cake of the day. Cake of the day was German Chocolate so I ordered that and he got the cheesecake. We ordered coffee and when our plates came we each laughed at the ridiculously enormously huge pieces of cake we had each been served. His plate actually had two separate pieces of cheesecake on it, united only by a massive mound of whipped cream and strawberries piled on top. We dove in to our own pieces, shared a little with each other, and by the end both felt like we were going to throw up. Then we finished them off.
At this point, both of us were very tired (I find the Friday night date particularly hard because it always seems like the exhaustion of the last five days of work waits to descend until about 9:30 and then forget about it ... I'm useless unless I'm drunk or have had at least 4 cups of coffee) so we decided to end the night. We walked to the Metro for his train and conveniently, my bus stop was there also. Again, the European cheek kiss goodbye. A few text messages on the way home and then mutual texts goodnight. We communicated some yesterday and I actually made a rescue phone call last night to get him out of a boring conversation at a party. Or at least that's why he said he wanted me to call him.
Oh, PTC. I like you and since my little online scene is barren at this exact moment, you're occupying my thoughts more than you might otherwise. I have so many questions about your life: What do you do for work? I suspect nothing which doesn't really bother me as you are getting ready to apply for graduate school. Are your 'roommates' actually your parents? Concerned for sure about that one. So many questions ... a horoscope of mine recently read that good things would happen for me romantically if I was patient and let them happen. Good advice always and potentially particularly relevant for my little relationship with PTC. Just need to wait ... patience.
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