Blind Date

 Tom got ready for his blind date one warm June evening.

A blind date might not be his first choice, but he struggled getting real dates. Even in the age of online dating, there were only so many available women on the apps in a small town like Springfield. So he decided to try the matchmaking service that set him up tonight.

Tom looked at himself in the mirror. Proud at how far he’d come, but still regretful of the past. He looked at least a decade older than his thirty-something age, with deep sunken-in brown eyes, a balding head of greyish-blond hair and a beer belly. The unfortunate side-effect of years as a reckless partier. Since college bars and clubs had been a part of his nightly routine, drinking and drugs a regular part of his diet. One-night stands and only the most casual of relationships were all that his lifestyle could handle.

“I’m such a fool,” he muttered as he thought again of those wasted years. Though at the same time he felt blessed just to have survived those years, which included a few brushes with alcohol poisoning and an overdose.

Tom might still have been just as reckless, if not for his younger brother getting married and having a son two years later. He didn’t think he had it in him to be a good uncle, but to his surprise, a bond with his nephew slowly formed. And with that, another surprise; a longing to have a life more like his brother’s and be a husband and father too.

The urge became so strong that without any help from rehab, Tom became sober and clean. He moved back from Cincinnati to his hometown of Springfield to be near his family, a huge source of support during this time of transition. Tired of being a security guard, and feeling inspired to help other addicts, he went back to school to become a substance-abuse social worker. He embraced his studies, and felt like he finally found his calling. More whole and at peace with himself than he ever thought possible, he felt ready to find his life partner, and started to date. This particular night the date was with a woman named Sue.

“Let’s see what happens,” Tom whispered. He gave himself one last encouraging smile in the mirror, then grabbed his keys and headed for the front door.

He was supposed to meet Sue at The Steak Place, the trendiest restaurant in Springfield. This matchmaking service believed that to truly give your date a chance, not as much as a photo should be shared beforehand. They told him she would be wearing a long black dress, and her shoulder length brown hair would be in curls. As for Tom, he put on his best grey suit and blue tie, what had become his standard first date uniform.

After taking a peek inside the restaurant to make sure Sue wasn’t already there, Tom stood outside waiting for her. Fifteen minutes later there was still no sign of her, but he was not one to get worried. Anyone could run a little bit late. He decided to go back inside and wait by the bar, ordering a seltzer with a slice of lime.

But then Tom saw her walk in. She sat down at a table and promptly looked around her. Tom was going to get up, but he took one more sip of his seltzer and enjoyed this moment, when he recognized her alone. She was a classic beauty; radiant and youthful. Her trim body, on full display in a tight black dress, put his to shame. Her curly brown locks seemed to shimmer and bounce like in one of those shampoo commercials.

Could she be the one? Tom couldn’t help but wonder. He could’ve stared at her from afar a great deal longer, but didn’t waste another second. He walked over to her table, sat down across from her, and broke out into a huge smile.

She shot him a mysterious look.

“Hello,” Tom said.

“Um, hi.”

She looked at her watch. Probably out of nervousness for being late, Tom thought. But he acted like he didn’t notice.

“How are you tonight?” he asked.

He wished he had something better to say. He had never been a great conversationalist.

“Okay,” she said.

Tom noticed she had an almost indifferent look about her. She was fiddling with her handkerchief, avoiding eye contact. But oh, were her blue eyes gorgeous!

He tried to keep the conversation going.

“So, what have you been doing lately?” he asked.

“Nothing worth speaking of,” she said.

“I see. Well, you sure look beautiful. I’m sorry I didn’t say so earlier.”

“Please don’t.”

“What?” Tom asked, puzzled.

“Please don’t say I’m beautiful.”

“Well, um, okay.”

Tom never heard this before. She may look radiant and youthful. But apparently she was also depressed. He had no idea where to go next in the already awkward conversation. He supposed food was a safe topic.

“So, have you thought about what you’d like to order?” Tom asked.

“Uh, no,” she said.

“The Steak Place makes some of the best steaks you’ll ever have.”

“I’ve been to other steakhouses out of this stupid town and their steaks are far from the best. But I don’t want anything.”

“Are you serious?” Tom asked.

“Yeah…I already ate,” she explained.

“Oh,” Tom said.

This was certainly a surprise, but Tom quickly realized his mistake.

 “I suppose you came here for drinks.”

“Actually, yes. Drinks and dessert,” and she gave the smallest hint of a smile.

At that moment a server came by.

“Glass of Merlot, please?” she asked.

“Of course,” said the server. “And for you?”

“Just a glass of water for now, thanks.”

And Tom broke out into another big smile. He was making a comeback. Sue came here for drinks and dessert, not dinner. The date might not be a complete disaster.

The server quickly returned with their drinks.

Wine glass in hand, for a moment she just stared at him. Then she gave him a look which showed something like concern.

She took a sip of her Merlot.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“Me? Oh I’m just fine,” Tom replied. “Thanks for asking, though.”

Was this some kind of game? He thought he’d play along.

“And are you okay?”

She let out a chuckle. “Oh I know I’m okay,” she said, and took another sip of her wine.

“Glad to hear it,” Tom said.

He’d been out on many dates before, but never on one so strange. This was definitely for the records.

“Can I ask you something else?” she inquired.

“Anything,” Tom said. He was in a playful mood.

“Do you not even get what is going on?” she asked, her eyes narrowing. Then she checked her phone.

Was this another game? If it was, he was at a loss of how to play anymore.

“I don’t think I understand you, Sue.”

She laughed. “Oh my God I’m not Sue! That’s my whole point! Do you not get how body language works? I’ve been sitting here trying to be polite waiting for you to see you have the wrong person, but clearly I need to spell it out for you! My boyfriend just cancelled on me because of a work emergency so I’m going to get going. But I have to say you definitely made my evening entertaining. Thanks for the Merlot,” she smirked, chugging the rest of the wine down in a few gulps, then got up and left him to pay the bill.

She must have raised her voice, because a few people at neighboring tables glared at Tom as she left. He thought he even heard a laugh.

Tom paid the server with shaky hands, and left the restaurant in shock. He was so spellbound by his supposed date’s beauty, he completely forgot to make sure he had the right person- an instruction the matchmaking service specifically made, which of course was also just common sense.

Then the shock turned to sadness. Not at his own humiliation, but at the missed opportunity that happened because of it. He could have met his soulmate…if only he could have recognized her.

Tom wandered across the parking lot, defeated. He felt so lonely getting into his empty car, going back to his empty apartment, that for a moment he was tempted to go back to The Steak Place for just one beer. But no…he had worked too hard to give in to such thoughts.

Tom cranked his window open to get some air and heard something like a wail. Was it a wild animal, crying out in pain? His heart went out to the distressed creature. He knew what it was like to suffer.

Tom went out of the car and started walking. Only a few steps toward the noise were needed for him to realize he was hearing the crying of a woman. He could see her silhouette. She was sitting on the bus stop bench, which was right outside the restaurant. She looked so alone, more alone than even him. No one walking in or out of the restaurant gave her more than a curious glance before walking past her. Tom couldn’t help but think how cold a place the world was.

He walked a little closer to her, and saw her chest heaving. His own pain forgotten, he wanted so much to hold her at that moment. And to tell her, if there’s one thing he’s learned so far from his imperfect life, is that there’s always hope.

He walked a few steps closer to the sad figure, then halted. 

She was wearing a long black dress. 

Tom’s eyes widened and he walked a little closer. 

She had curly brown hair. 

He took a deep breath and kept walking.

“Sue?”