Timmy:
No pressure. I’m just really excited to meet you in person!
Me:
I’m excited to meet you too!
Sweet. It’s nice to have someone champing at the bit to see me the moment I arrive. I just don’t think I have it in me today to make a good first impression. I’m just so very tired.
I sit for a while in the apartment, taking it all in. I hop in theshower, washing off all the plane ‘stuff’, and come out feeling refreshed, like I have a second wind.
I realize I don’t have any food in the apartment except for the snacks I brought from the plane. And now that I live here, I’m only a short ten-minute walk away from one of my favorite restaurants in the city, Dock Bar. So I get dressed and walk down there.
The warm air caresses my skin, a gentle breeze carrying the scent of palm trees and sunscreen and sea salt. I smile as tourists walk past, chatting away about their plans for the evening and the remainder of their trips.
I really live here now. I don’t have to jampack my schedule with stuff to get the most out of a finite period of vacation. I get to take my time, and do all the things when I want to, without rushing.
I get to my favorite restaurant and it’s as gorgeous as always, with the most spectacular view of Strawberry Head as well as the beach. I sit at the bar, my favorite place. The bartenders recognize me, and I order one of their signature mai tais and a caesar salad. The mai tai comes out just as I remembered them, pale in color with a gorgeous purple flower garnish. I still can’t believe they make these on draft, because they’re seriously the best ones in Sunset Cay. I don’t even particularly like mai tais, but these are amazing! The bartender and I make small talk while she works, and I munch on my salad.
Feeling emboldened by my drink, and feeling great about being here in general, I text Timmy.
Me:
Hey! I’ve got a burst of energy so I’m down at Dock Bar having some food and a drink.
Timmy:
Oh my gosh! Want me to come and see you?
I’d really love to meet you! I’ve been waiting forever!
I laugh and feel my face flush a little. His persistence is flattering. It feels good that someone wants to make the effort to see me.
Me:
Sure!
Timmy:
On my way. Be there in like 20 mins.
I grin, but I suddenly feel nervous. It’s one thing to text someone I met on a dating app, but it’s been a long time since I’ve met a guy for the first time in person.
But something tells me this is the right time.
And it’s so sweet that he wanted to meet me as soon as I got here.
13
FEELING SEEN
The Past
The Creep: You’d be just perfect, if only you were wearing a black bra.
And also, I want to paint your nails.
I glance self-consciously at the grey and white bra strap that’s escaped the confines of my tank top. His words make me feel a bit strange, like I’m almost but not quite up to his standards, somehow, because of these fatal bra and nail flaws.