date night.

Imagine the sound of rain pounding on glass. The cadence varies from harder, slower, louder, softer. All day it has been like this. When my window is open, I can hear the cars, buses and trucks driving by, splashing, as tires speed through the puddles. Today the rain is comforting, and cozy. Not ideal for a date night, but conveniently the plan is dinner and a movie.

I have a few errands to run before date night. I try to not worry about time, but the library closes in an hour. The bus ride takes 30 minutes. Will that be enough time? If indecision does not linger, I will be fine. 12 minutes before the next bus. Dressed and ready to face the inclement weather, what was I to do with these next twelve minutes? Surely, I did not want head out early to stand in the rain. I wandered to the bathroom.

Standing in front of the mirror, looking at myself, I think, 'why not do something out of the ordinary tonight, it is date night after all.' With rowing back in full swing, I rarely find motivation to fancy myself up. I tidy my hair, add some mascara to my lashes and a touch of gold to the corners of my eyes (in hopes they will magically turn green).  

I catch the bus and make it in in time to the library. I take my time picking out a few movies, mostly light hearted romantic comedies. These are my go to's when life or my thoughts become a little too intense. The movies are my way reminder to not take life or myself so seriously. Good for lightening my mood.

Once my errands were finished I found myself in the darkness avoiding the rain under the overhang at 7 Eleven. Out of the corner of my almost green eye I see a shadow round the corner, walking towards me. Looking up with mild interest, a young lady with an umbrella and glasses checks the bus schedule, she faces me and causally says,

"I hope you haven't been standing there long. It sure is raining hard. I guess that is a sign I shouldn't get dinner at the Vietnamese restaurant by my house. I don't want to walk in the rain. Do you think stew that has been in the fridge for 6 days would still be okay to eat?" It is rare someone speaks to me at the bus stop, so I welcome the conversation, "I would do the smell check if I were you. If it smells bad go to the Vietnamese place. You could take yourself on a date!"

The friendly stranger, looks at me oddly, and takes a moment to think before saying, "well, if the meat smells bad I can pick it out and just eat the veggies. Veggies will probably still be good. Don't ya think?" With no prompting she talks about her interest in Queen Elizabeth, Henry the VIII and them being a part of her evening plans. "What are you doing tonight?" She inquires.

"I am going to make myself stuffed squash, strawberry rhubarb crisp, pour myself a glass of wine and watch a movie." I pause unsure if I should continue, "I am having a date with myself tonight." I smiled as the bright lights of the bus illuminated the stop.