After bumping into and meeting The Priest (formally referred to as Jude) at The Court while not-on-a-date with Brett, we made plans to go on our first official date. The Priest chose the venue – Steves (a great wine bar in Nedlands) and I would meet him at his house and we would go together.
I got ready for the date and headed off on my motorbike to his house, behind the church. Thats right folks, he lived at the Rectory. I pulled up in his driveway, next to the construction site that was his church being rebuilt. This part of the story is better told from the perspective of The Priest, who delighted in telling any and all about the exciting arrival of his date that night, it goes a little something like this:
I heard a sound and headed outside knowing that my date had arrived. There he was, sitting atop a motorbike, dressed in jeans and a leather jacket. Very manly. He takes his helmet off and I see the tattoo on his neck. Very sexy. I walk down to greet him and… with a wave and a very gay tone I am greeted with ‘Hallooooo’, shattering, at least, the manly side of the illusion.
Of course the above story sounds better in person, ’cause then you hear the way I say halloooo.
The date at Steves goes well to begin with. We both enjoy fine wine and food, and easily found items on the menu that we could share and enjoy. The conversation flowed very easily. Until we reached the topic of what each of us were looking for in all of this ‘dating’ scene.
Snag one
As any of my avid readers know, at this time in my life I was certainly not looking for a boyfriend. I didn’t want to even entertain the idea of entering into yet another relationship that would inevitably end up hurting me. I also had no qualms in saying so. The Priest on the other hand was looking for a long term relationship. I maintained that at most I was able to offer ‘dating’, or friends-with-benefits.
The conversation rapidly intensified. The Priest was about to say something and stopped himself, instead excusing himself to go to the bathroom. I sat there, the intensity of the conversation reverberating in my head. I started to think what was the point in this date continuing. Clearly we wanted very different things. We should just say thanks for the nice meal, it was nice to meet you and have a nice life.
When he returned from the bathroom I asked what he was about to say. Not surprisingly, he was also thinking what was the point to continuing. I admitted I had thought the same thing. We both took a moment to take in what had just transpired. I clearly remember taking in a deep breath, needing that moment to let it all sink in.
The silence filled the space in between us. It was palpable. Uncomfortable. At this point, we should have both taken the opportunity to walk away. To admit then and there, before it all started that this potential relationship would never work out. Save the effort, and the eventual, inevitable, hurt.
Neither of us took the opportunity. Instead, at almost the same time, we blurted out that perhaps we should just take a step back. Spend some time with each other. Go on a few dates and see how things went. I guess at this point, The Priest figured he could win me over and convince me to be his boyfriend. I had mixed feelings about it all, clear and set in my mind that I was.
I was intrigued though, and this is what swung my mind. Damn curiosity…
