The Author Goes On a Movie Date...

They had done it; he had asked her out and she had said YES!

They had visited a few times about movies or the local theater. He had asked her out to the movies or to dinner so many times before. THIS TIME, her schedule had had an unusual opening; and she had said YES. He had been to the movies, alone, with a woman before, of course. But THIS time, he would be at the cinema with HER.

The evening's cinematic adventure: "A Man Called Otto."

He HATED Tom Hanks movies (they were too boring and always seemed to run on FOREVER). He had yet to read "A Man Called Ove." However, SHE was a fan of Tom Hanks, he wanted to be out with her, and, of course, the trailer had made the movie look good. Besides (and this was crucial to his point) she had said YES to a one-on-one DATE!

The date was set and he was standing outside of the theater fifteen minutes before the start of the show (another rule of dating that he had learned).

As he stood outside, wringing his hands, saying his prayers, and counting his blessings, his phone went off. HER! She was on her way; and THIS was HAPPENING!

He texted her back that he would grab not only his own but HER ticket as well. (A gentleman at least did THAT, right? I mean, the movie outing had been HIS idea).

He was in line for the tickets when she messaged back that it wouldn't be necessary and she could get her own ticket. He checked his phone and smiled slightly from two people away from the ticket counter. "Necessary;" of course not. Investing in a MOVIE TICKET was the LEAST that he could do for the woman who had, at long last, AGREED to meet him...

He approached the ticket counter and purchased two tickets, his popcorn, his hotdog, and drink. (Oh no; should he have asked her about HER food order TOO? He'd make this one up to her another time...)

He had placed the order and had his card out IN HIS HAND to be rung up.

DING (Not the card reader, but his phone again...)

She was two minutes away; and, by the way...

...Her (simply-just-a-friend-now?/ex-husband?/STILL husband?) was coming too; was that "cool?"

He glanced at the TWO tickets in his hand (indeed, only ONE that he had been responsible to purchase). What was he supposed to say now???

They were already opening the lobby door to come in from the January elements. He grinned, bore it, presented his afternoon rendezvous with the ticket that she had explicitly told him wouldn't be a necessary expenditure (though, she had had yet to go so far as to tell him just how INAPPROPRIATE of a transaction a $5.50 movie ticket would be). He then thought fast and added to the other guy how nice it was to see him but...well; he'd already been at the ticket counter WHEN he had been informed of extra guests. The guy (most likely in her honor) was understandable enough and purchased his own ticket and snacks as she purchased HER own snacks as well. Meanwhile, The Author still didn't know what to do with the rest of the evening and any potential drama...

"A Man Called Otto" turned out to be an exceptional film (The Author, and amateur film critic, only approved of three of Mr. Hanks's movies: "Forrest Gump," "Toy Story 1," and, now, "A Man Called Otto.") He then read THE BOOK and would recommend it too.

But you're wondering how the "date" went. The Lady is still a great young woman who The Author only wishes to see again outside of their shared job. The Guy (either her husband or her ex, depending on which party is answering the question) is, in fact, a decent guy who enjoyed the movie as well and, after, joined The Author, The Lady, and an entire group for drinks and appetizers after the movie. No blood was shed upon the theater floor when The Author suddenly changed his mind and sat on his attempts to pour out his heart while simply counting himself up as the sudden awkward third party.

Oh; and the last-minute invitation? I can surely speak for "The Author" and he's not gifted as a pyschic to read The Lady's mind as to what she was thinking. He only knows what he wishes to see of The Lady's character and she's NOT manipulative in the least...

Of course, "The Author" wants to see "The Lady" again. In what CONTEXT sort of depends upon her relationship status; because if she's STILL married (or only recently separated), that would be a "no-no" on "The Author's" standards board and it would sure be awesome to still see her in group settings. If she's even SEEING someone else...no; the answer would still be group settings. "The Author" isn't here to mess with someone else's active relationship; and never their marriage...