A Modern Love

by M. Glenn Aldridge

  ***

  On Saturday Jennifer was getting ready for dinner with the radio on. She was doing little funny dances as she pranced from her closet to her bed, laying the clothes across the mattress and assessing their appropriateness. David and Jennifer had agreed on casual attire at the end of their last run together.

  Based on the small talk, getting to know David, and seeing what he wore to run in, Jennifer felt quite comfortable sporting a pair of jeans, nice blouse and a stylish pair of Con's. Even though they'd not agreed on jeans she was sure he'd wear them, she could just tell that about him. He was a t-shirt and jeans kind of guy and she like the simplicity.

  Jennifer was pretty good with her observations as David did indeed intend to wear his jeans; his best jeans at that. However, his process of getting ready for the dinner date wasn't quite as relaxing as Jennifer's. He quickly picked out his jeans and shoes (a pair of nice cross-trainers), but when it came to the shirt things were more difficult.

  Not to break away on a tangent here ? but I'm gonna ? I don't think gals quite understand how hard it is for most fellows to get ready for a date. Most of the time guys could care less about what they wear, and about half of the time they could care less if what they're wearing is even clean. But on an important date where you want to look your best a guy knows he has to wear the right thing. This is stressful, big-time. Yes I know women go through a lot more to get ready for a date than a man, but women tend to know what looks good and guys tend to hope and pray they choose the right thing to wear.

  Anyways, David was having a difficult time with what shirt to wear. He stood in front of the mirror on the back of his closet door for a good forty-five minutes trying on just about every shirt he had. From t-shirts, polo shirts, knit shirts, long sleeve casual shirts; for some reason he even tried on an old three quarter arm-length baseball shirt he had in there. He laughed at himself when he looked in the mirror and lightened the mood by putting on this novelty baseball cap that had the words "I'm a Farm Leaguer" on it. It was a gag gift he received from a friend in college during his sophomore year. He looked quite hilarious in that getup.

  After growing weary of clothing, David decided on a light blue polo shirt with a simple white stripe across the chest. He worried a little about too much blue, with the blue jeans and a blue shirt of similar color, but he was tired of the whole process and just decided to wear it. Sometimes you've just got to go with your gut, he thought as he tussled his hair in front of the mirror for the last time before making his way to his front door.

  To David's surprise, and happiness, his butterflies began to subside as he approached Jennifer's apartment door. He wasn't used to this feeling; in fact he'd never had it before. Usually he would feel more butterflies just before picking up a date, not less. He took this as a good sign that he felt calm and relaxed in the presence of Jennifer Holmes. This is nice, he thought as he softly rapped on her door.

  Jennifer quickly answered the door and was ready to head out. She was a little surprised when she saw the polo shirt on a t-shirt and jeans guy, but she thought it a nice touch. They smiled at each other and said some pleasantries as she closed the door behind her and they headed towards the parking lot.

  As Jennifer and David approached his car David thought back to Amy's reaction to his stellar automobile. He hoped that he didn't see the same behavior in Jennifer; that would be disappointing to say the least. He did not, as Jennifer didn't really even seem to notice. It seemed as if it was just a means from place to place to her.

  That's what it seemed to David, but Jennifer did notice the old jalopy; but ? not in a negative way. Some folks see material things as extensions of themselves ? like you are what you drive kinda crap. Others see minimalism as a choice and a desire to focus your life on more important things, like people; friendships, relationships, family and such. Jennifer is the latter.

  Up on my soap box again just for a second here: some people think the American dream is the freedom to become rich and have all the things you want, you know that the whole idea of democracy is really just the capitalistic economy and accumulation of wealth and power. Others believe the American dream is the freedom of choice, ideas, speech and opinion; the freedom to not accumulate "stuff" and to focus your time and energy on more important things. Freedom does not equal capitalism and vice versa, especially when capitalism is thought narrowly as simply buy, buy, buy. I wish more people focused less on accumulating stuff and more on just enjoying the freedoms we have to make good choices. I wish I were more like that too. I think Jennifer is a lot like that.

  Ok, where was I? Oh, yah ? Jennifer noticed that David's car wasn't new and flashy and she thought it was a good thing really; kind of showing that he doesn't focus his energies on worldly things so much. It really didn't even cross her mind whether or not he could afford a better car. She just figured with his level of intelligence he surely could if he wanted to. She has a positive nature like that.

  "So Jennifer, we've been running together for a while now right," asked David?

  "Yup", replied Jennifer wondering what was coming.

  "Well, we kind of know each other a little right," David had a tinge of concern in his voice?

  "Ah ? yah," she answered with heightened intrigue.

  "Well ? can I ask you an important personal question?"

  "Sure," Jennifer immediately got butterflies in her stomach.

  "Do you like Chinese food," David asked with a quick glance over to Jennifer and a big goofy grin?

  "I love it," replied Jennifer with relief. She wasn't sure what he was getting at before, but now she knew he was just creating a theatrical moment.

  "Great! You want to head on over to the Chinese buffet?" David was relived; he jokingly thought to himself, this whole thing would have to be called off if she didn't like Chinese food. I can't fall for a girl that doesn't like Chinese food!

  "Sounds like a good plan," said Jennifer while situating herself in the passenger seat; kind of leaning over towards David. A gesture he liked.

  Upon arriving at the New China Buffet, David shut the engine off and asked Jennifer to hold on a minute. He then jumped out of the car and ran around and opened her door. An old fashioned maneuver that while some may think fatuous, Jennifer thought was endearing of a polite demeanor. David felt a little silly after he opened the door and jokingly said "Ma' Lady". Jennifer kept the cheer going though with a polite giggle.

  As they walked toward the restaurant they found themselves so close that they brushed hands several times along the way. While waiting to be seated Jennifer leaned in so close to David that he could smell her hair. It smelled of vanilla and freshly cut roses. The moment made him quite dizzy.

  Once seated at a booth, just about in the middle of the room, they ordered their drinks, both having water with lemon, and began to converse; nothing too deep, but just right. Where did you grow up, how many siblings (if any) do you have, did you enjoy high school, wasn't college better, what were your plans after college and how do they compare to now ? let's hit the buffet.

  David followed Jennifer to the buffet and took the opportunity to notice her form in her tastefully faded jeans. She was stunning. David loves a runner's body; so fit and trim. He thought to himself, women always seem to have something endearing about them regardless of little, big, short or tall; but a women that runs seems to have such a tone to her; it's mesmerizing!

  Jennifer got a little bit of everything but more of the noodles. Girls seem to always like the noodles for some reason. David stacked his first plate, nearly full, with sesame chicken, beef with broccoli, steamed rice, Peking ravioli's and topped off with three crab rangoons. He also brought a bowl of sweat and sour sauce to the table, along with a small plate of hot mustard; the kind of hot mustard that will set the back of your head on fire if you spoon too much onto your rice.

  Upon returning to the table they took a brief hiatus from the chit chat to delve into their
meals. David noticed Jennifer's perfect table manners. No elbows on the table, fork held daintily, one small cut of food at a time (not cutting everything up at once as he does on the kitchen counter when home alone), closed mouth and slow chewing. He found himself maybe watching her too closely, so he focused on his food. It was very good and so was the company.

  Jennifer had begun thinking of how nice this was just to have a quiet meal with a nice guy. She pondered about how many of her friends thought "nice guys" were boring. She felt otherwise, maybe it was her nature as a librarian but she likes the calm nature of a polite man. Stability is maturity in the real world, she thought. Bad boys are just not real. They are actors; that goes for bad girls too, after all when it comes right down to it we are all venerable and want to have someone we can count on; someone to hold late at night we can trust. Oh, and she also was thinking the food was just great as well.

  "So what are your dreams David?" Jennifer realized this was a pretty in-depth question for a "first date", but felt alright with it because while it was technically a first date they had spent quite a bit of time together, running and talking, over the past week or so. She felt like she knew David a lot more than a first date would imply. She felt comfortable with him.

  "I'm dreaming of a second helping," replied David with a boyish smile. He then thought to himself, I hope I don't have food in my teeth. "I'll tell you what Jennifer, if you'll excuse me just two seconds I'll think about my answer as I fill another plate." Jennifer noticed he ate pretty fast and another heaping plate would be a lot of food, but she also knew that consistent running covered up occasional sins of the fork.

  As David passed Jennifer and headed toward the buffet Jennifer couldn't help but lean out of the booth a little and glance over her shoulder. She loved an athletic man in jeans. She didn't avert her eyes from his back pockets until she realized he had glimpsed back and seen her. They both grinned.

  As David was spooning the sweet and sour chicken on to his plate he found himself thinking, why not just tell her flat out. I know it's not good to jump in but sometimes you have to take risks. I'm comfortable with Jennifer like I've never been with a girl before. I can sense she's comfortable with me too. Hell, I'll just answer her. David spun around on his heel and headed back to the booth. Confidence was in his every stride. Confidence that would falter with too much thought, so he stopped his mind and just decided to act.

  As he sat down Jennifer looked up at him. "So is that brain food? Think it'll help with your answer?" Jennifer had a sheepish grin.

  "Well I don't know about that but I'll tell ya what ?" David took a bight of his food.

  "What's that David?"

  "Well you seem like a really nice person and I know I'm being awfully forward but ?" David paused as Jennifer appeared to want to say something.

  "Wow, you really have something to say don't you, not just normal first date drivel." Jennifer couldn't help but be impatient, she was quite excited.

  "Well I do have something to say and I'm bound to have both feet wet afterwards."

  "Shoot," said Jennifer putting her fork down and leaning forward a bit.

  "I consider myself to be a simple man, so I'll sum up my dreams like this: to meet someone like you Jennifer." David sort of held his breath after speaking and slowly leaned back in his seat. He was prepared for the worst, though hoping for the best. Mostly he was prepared for a long awkward silence. He didn't get it.

  "I feel the same," quickly replied Jennifer with a smile. "I'm glad you feel it too ? when it's there it's there isn't it?"

  "It certainly is ? it certainly is," replied David as they both casually returned to eating as if they'd only spoken something that was so well known already, such a fact, that saying it was just a formality. They both knew what was going on. Call it fate?

  The remainder of the dinner conversation went by as they tend to do. As they made their way back to the car there hands had not opportunity to simply brush up against each other; as they were holding hands. Quite lovely really; really it was.

  The drive home was pleasant as most drives in Owensboro are. The hand holding continued in the car and carried over into little swinging arms as they walked across the parking lot (David made sure to park in a back parking space as he didn't want to spoil the evening with a tongue lashing from Frank) toward The Villa's courtyard.

  Once they reached Jennifer's apartment door they both took a deep breath, reminiscent of the breath taken just before they take off into the sprint part of their daily runs together. There was no hesitation from either, they both seemed to know it was Ok, seemed to know what the other was thinking. David leaned in and Jennifer did as well. A nice kiss, not too much, not too little; and oh yah, a little French mixed in with the Chinese this evening. They parted with a smile and extended arms to release the hand holding.

  Something told me that regardless of the end result of Jennifer and David's relationship this night would be one they would remember for a long time to come; perhaps a lifetime. Not because of the fine cuisine or the lavish coach ride to the restaurant, but the absolute connection two people made. It was unmistakable and life altering. Ah ? young love.

  There's really no need for me to go into how David and Jennifer felt about the date. It's the same way I feel about Elizabeth, it's the way you feel about your loved one. You know David and Jennifer lie awake all night staring at the ceiling with dopy grins on their faces. Just like Elizabeth and I did when we first felt the spark of love. Just like you did when you fell in love. Didn't you now? ????. I thought so.