“Shut the front door! I can’t believe it. Tell me everything about him.” I can see the excitement on her face. I’m sure that she is completely shocked, since I haven’t dated anyone since I’ve known her.
“Well, his last name is Hudson, but seems like that is what he prefers to go by. He’s from Canada. He said that he has a little sister. He’s got great arms. I texted him last night and he hasn’t texted since. So, I’m not sure what’s going on?”
“So, what’s his first name?”
“I don’t know.”
“What part of Canada is he from?”
“I don’t know.”
“What does he do for a living?”
“I don’t know.”
“Does he live in Portland?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, you’re very informative dear.” Lacey laughs at me. “You met a guy, whose first name is a mystery. You don’t know where he lives or where he is from? Plus, you don’t know what he does for a living? Sounds like your dream guy.” She sneers a bit, sipping her wine.
“Hey, come on.” I know that she was teasing me, but I don’t know what to do.
“Alright, alright.” She puts her hands up in surrender. “Do you like him?”
I thought for a moment at the question. “Well, he was easy to talk to. You know, when I wasn’t thinking about running away. He’s very nice looking, too. But I thought he liked me too. Now, he isn’t texting me back, so I’m clueless on this.”
“Okay, let’s figure this out. Does he look like a banker-lawyer-doctor type?”
I shake my head. “His hands were rough. Like the outdoorsy kind of rough.”
“You said he had great arms, right?”
I nod.
“Well, then he must be in some sort of construction. He might work second or third shift, that’s why he didn’t text you.”
That made some sense. She’s probably right.
“So, you shouldn’t think too much of it. Just because he doesn’t text right back doesn’t mean anything.” She sits there and stares at me for a moment. “I’ve meant to ask you, when was the last time you were on a date? I’ve known you for a year and you haven’t dated anyone.”
“Um, it’s been a while.” I shift uncomfortably in my seat, drinking my wine. I really don’t want to tell Lacey the truth.
“How long is ‘a while’?”
“Well, it was before my aunt got sick, so three years ago.” I look at Lacey, and the only expression I can read is pure shock.
“You haven’t dated in three years?” She questions me.
“Well, I dated a little in college, but when I had to drop out to take care of my aunt, I didn’t have time. Then when I moved here, I focused on my job.”
She doesn’t say anything. She just stares at me. I figure she is thinking I’m some sort of freak.
“I’ve been dating since I’ve been fourteen, and the longest I’ve been without a guy is a month. I’m impressed you’ve gone three years. That must be some sort of record?”
I shrug. I want to avoid the fact that I’ve not dated in a while.
“So, how’s work going for you?” I change the topic.