My Date with Harry

I do not want to go. WHYYYYYY???? are they making me do this? Oh goodness, I wish I'd never told anyone that I had broken up with James...damn, I have a big mouth.

At least he agreed to one of my favorite places, Hanigan's. It's been newly rescued by that guy... what's his name? Ugh...he has a television show. Oh, I can' think of it. I'm sure I'll remember once I see the place again. They have the best Merlot.

I guess I should start getting ready. Ashley and Karin wouldn't even let me wait until I lost the weight I gained, nursing a broken heart during the pandemic. Ohhhh, why me? Leave me alone, world!!! Geez. What should I wear? Jeans and a tee-shirt and my old sneakers. No my UGGs! Bet once they see me, they won't make me go on any more dates. Not ever again.

I tried so hard with James. He came and went whenever he wanted. I never complained. He smelled like he hadn't cleaned his behind in days. I never complained. Then he'd take a shower with the soap I bought him, and whammo! This flower would open like a Pavlov experiment.

Teri, stay in the present. Get up and get ready. At least I don't have to worry about my hair. Going natural is the best thing I ever did. All I need is a shower. Then, I'll feel much better.

And like magic, I did feel better. Even a little frisky, if you know what I mean, wink wink. These couple of extra pounds means there's more of me to love. I can't believe how I feel. I actually want to go. The doorbell rings; I wait for a beat then...OMG, he is a geek! I'm going to kill Ashley and Karin. Where did they get him from! Nice car, though. Oh my goodness! Well, I'm a nerd, so maybe we will have something in common.

Wow. Right away, I notice the way he's looking at me. It's nice. He's looking at me like I'm someone to be admired and treated like a queen. My Dad looked at my Mom like that every day they were together. I'm glad I changed my mind about the jeans and tee. "Good afternoon Miss Tee. You are looking adorable, I must say! Thank you for agreeing to go out with me." Hmm, that was a great greeting! "You're quite welcome," I said. "Thank you for inviting me." We drove the rest of the way listening to the local R & B station. They were playing Alicia Keys. "You Don't know my Name." I love this song and start humming it to myself.

"You have a beautiful voice," he said. "Oh no, this is a sing-in church voice only," I responded. I'm not crazy. I know how I sound. It's okay on the praise team...but. We were coming up at the restaurant. The place is as swanky as I'd heard. Thank goodness for valet parking. The last thing I want to do is walk from a parking garage in these shoes.

"Have you ever been here before?" He asked. "Yes. I came to an office party here last Christmas." I replied. Once inside, I saw just what that rescue show had done. "My goodness! It didn't look like this the last time I was here!" I exclaimed. It's gorgeous in here!" I couldn't believe what I was seeing. We were escorted to a table right away, and the waiter asked for our drink order.

"I'd like a bottle of wine, please." He told the waiter. Then like an afterthought, he leaned over and asked, "You don't mind? Do you like wine? Would you rather something else?" "Wine is fine," I said. "Do you have a Merlot that tastes like fruit and chocolate?" I asked. "I know just the one you mean." The waiter replied and went on his way. We studied our menus in silence for a moment. "What looks good?" he asks. "I know it's probably cliche, but I want salmon," I answered. "It looks delicious," I went on.

By the time our food arrived, we were half done with the bottle of Merlot, and we're touching on current events in our lives. "Do you like what you do?" he asked. I love writing, but it's very personal to me, so I replied, "I love to write. I get the chance to put my imagination down on paper for others to read. They seem to like it. Sometimes I write from my life and change the names." "Really!" He laughed. "I've read most of your work. I'm almost finished with your short stories. I'm not into poetry, but I think I'll read your poems now. I will have to re-read all of your stuff to see if I can find the non-fiction." "You won't be able to tell," I laughed. At least, I hope not.

This wine is so good, and I think it's gone to my head because Harry is looking real good to me. He's so kind, and I LOVE the way he looks at me. Harry orders another bottle of wine, and I notice that not that many people are left in the restaurant. We'd been talking for three hours. Finally, the waiter returned to the table and told us that we could perhaps have a glass of wine as the owner wants to close. "We are so sorry. It's just that it's our first date, and we're falling in love." Harry explained to the waiter. Wait, what? Falling in love? Man, I don't even know your birthday!

He is so cute. I even like his glasses. I will be able to wear mine and give these contacts a rest. I could be myself with Harry. He's like one of my favorite DC characters on The Flash. So intelligent, so goofy. There isn't a judgmental bone in his body, and he smells so good! So what his body isn't ripped with a six-pack. His mind is. I can't get over the way he looks at me. He has the most gorgeous eyes behind those glasses. We are both Knicks fans. He is really listening to me. I bet he can recall the entire night's conversation.

Awww, man Harry. Don't do this to me! My last relationship was painful enough. I know, I know! I shouldn't have gotten involved with James again. I take 100 percent responsibility for my actions. I mean, really, Teri, you were thirsty! Now, this!

That was then. This is now. I've done a lot of work on myself. I've learned to love every tiny bit of myself. Every hair, every toe, everything! He should be looking at me like that! I am a queen!

"Excuse me, sir," Harry stopped the waiter. "Could we get some bottles of this Merlot to go? How about a dozen?" He turned around and smiled at me. "They are for when I come over to watch a Knicks game. Or an Avengers movie. Is that okay?" "I think that's okay, Harry. The Knicks play the Lakers tomorrow night…." Oh, how I love the way that man looks at me!

We watch the Knicks every time they play. We go to the Garden as often as we can. We've never missed the opening night of any Marvel movie. It's been six years, and he still looks at me like I'm everything to him. The big difference now is I look at him the same way.