Getting Comfortable

We held hands in the car all the way back to my house. I could barely concentrate on driving. I hadn't had time to clean my garage (I have to admit it was a true disaster) so I parked in the front drive. My daughter was outside cleaning her car. Many people have commented how much my daughter and I look alike. What they don't know is that she looks incredibly like I did at her age. Mike took one look at her and said, "She looks just like you!"

"At least the me you remember," I laughed. "She's the same age I was when you and I met."

The three of us went out for dinner and Mike was remarkably attentive, not only to me, but to Darcie as well. He made sure our drinks were replenished and that we had gotten enough to eat. I know this sounds trivial, but to Darcie and me it was huge. It had just been the 2 of us fending for ourselves for so long that we were unused to being pampered. I was becoming more and more smitten with each passing moment. I tried to tell myself to get a grip but myself wasn't listening.

We went back to the house and changed into comfy clothes - shorts and T-shirts despite it being November. Mike sat in an overstuffed chair and was working on a Sudoku puzzle while I sat on the ottoman and looked over his shoulder. I had never done Sudoku so I asked him to teach me. Being so close to him made me tingle with excitement. Keep in mind I had been alone for 6 years. It should also be revealed at this point that I am Italian and very touchy/feely. I couldn't keep from touching Mike - his arm, his shoulder, his hair. I asked if he minded the fact that I couldn't keep my hands off of him and he laughed and said no, he didn't mind at all. In fact, he was enjoying it. He had been alone for a few years himself.

The sexual tension was building to a palpable level when Darcie finally went to bed.

The Big Day

Finally, the big day arrived. It was November 3, 2005. I spent the entire day putting finishing touches on my house. I spent an extreme amount of time prepping. I took a long shower, shaved with extra care and put lotion all over my body. I even spent a lot of time on my hair and make up. Well, it was as good as it gets. I took a deep breath and headed for the airport.

I was a bundle of nerves and excitement as I sat in my car outside of the airport terminal waiting for the call from Mike announcing his arrival. I must have jumped three feet when the phone finally rang. "Oh, my gosh. You're actually here. Where are you?"

"I'm just walking out of baggage claim. Where are you?"

"I'm outside. Walk out the door and tell me what you see."

"I see orange cones."

By this time I was nearly jumping out of my skin. "Turn left, I can see the cones from here."

I got out of my car and started walking his direction. Trying to sound calm I asked, "What are you wearing?" Just then I saw him in the distance (at least I thought it was him).

"I have on a maroon shirt."

Yep, that was him. Despite being in a skirt and heeled sandals, I started to run toward him. All pretense of calm left me as I jumped into his arms and starting kissing his face. I couldn't believe what I was doing nor could I stop myself. He laughed and wrapped his arms around me. In that incredible, unbelievable, magical moment I knew my life had changed forever.

"You're here, you're here, you're finally here," I babbled.

Then, unbelievably, my phone rang. It was a business call that I had to answer. We walked to my car as I tried to carry on a technical conversation with a brain that was buzzing across the galaxy. I ended the call as quickly as possible and turned my focus to the most handsome man I could imagine. Mike was as gorgeous ever - his smile melted me and his eyes - OMG, they were incredibly blue and sparkling. I had forgotten the power of his eyes.

For the life of me, I can't recall the conversation we had in the car on the way to my house. I only remember the feeling in my stomach, like a million butterflies. I swear I felt like I was 15 again and going on my first date.

I Can't Believe You Called

After I hit Send on my reply email, I went into the kitchen to prepare dinner for my daughter and myself. Only about 10 minutes had passed when my phone rang. I answered it without checking the caller ID and was stunned to hear the voice of my old friend.

Let me pause the story to give a little background info. Mike and I had attended the same high school in Florida and although he was a year ahead of me - I was a junior and he, a senior - we met in Chemistry class. Since both of us were conscientious students we agreed to study together. He would come to my house and we would study in the living room, taking occasional breaks to have heart-to-heart chats. I had a boyfriend at another high school and Mike had a girlfriend who was in college. Mike was the traditional BMOC - gorgeous, smart, star athlete. And talk about chemistry! Of course I had a huge crush on him, despite my having a boyfriend, but it was the 70's and "good girls" didn't initiate anything in those days, so all I could do was smile and try to be charming. I assumed I didn't stand a chance anyway, so I settled for a good, solid friendship (all the while, smiling and being charming - it couldn't hurt, could it?). Meanwhile, Mike's best friend Paul was dating one of my close friends so Paul and I became fast friends as well.

At the risk of causing whiplash from traveling so quickly through time, I am switching back from 1974 to 2005. Yes, eventually I will catch up to the actual present but I am new to this blog thing and figured a general timeline, albeit disjointed, would be helpful.

October 2005 - A smile immediately spread across my face as I recognized Mike's deep, sexy voice. Even after all these years, it was unmistakable. I was bubbling with excitement. "Oh, my gosh. It's so great to hear from you. How long's it been - like 27 years or something? I can't believe you actually called me."