Two Sides To Every Story

Derek approached the quaint café where he was set to meet his blind date. He felt nervous and excited at the same time. Nervous for the awkward interaction that would surely come about, but excited for the chance to meet someone new. He knew so few people and was very far from having a girlfriend, due both to his shyer nature and bookishness, but also because no one really enjoyed his company. Which made him wonder why he was now going on a blind date.

His friend Edmund, a man quite Derek’s opposite, had arranged the date and had assured him that his date would be someone who would suit him. Derek would soon find that out since his date was now approaching his table.

Alissa approached the table she had been told would be for her and her date and slowed. She took a moment to study the man already seated there before walking over. He was tall, at least she assumed he was. His hair was curly and had a boyish windswept look to it. He wore round glasses that would have made anyone else look nerdy, but only gave him a professional air. He was dressed causally and seemed perfectly at ease, though looks could be deceiving. She herself was trying to hide her own nerves beneath a bright smile.

Derek watched the lady hesitate a moment before walking over and knew that she was probably as nervous as he was. He stood and studied her. The first thing he noticed was her smile, it was a pretty smile but looked a tad forced. Nerves would do that though. He noticed as she came closer that she barely came up to his chest. She was a petite lady with hair the color of honey and eyes the color of sapphires. Interesting.

Derek: Hi, I’m Derek Walters.

Alissa: I’m Alissa Bullard. It is nice to meet you.

She wondered if they were supposed to hug or perhaps shake hands, but no that seemed like something you would do at work, not on a date. She settled for sitting down and offering another one of her smiles.

Derek watched her take a seat and released a sigh of relief. He had not been sure of what to do next and was glad she was better at this dating stuff than he was.

A waitress came over and took their orders. He ordered a slice of apple pie and a coffee and she ordered a muffin and an ice tea. After the waitress was gone, a moment of awkward silence ensued.

Alissa searched her brain for something to say beyond ‘tell me about yourself.’

Alissa: What made you decide to go on a blind date?

Derik ears reddened and he rubbed the tip of his index finger against his right eyebrow. A nervous gesture.

Derik: I…well…To be honest, I do not know why I decided to. I admit that I am not good at meeting people as I am often more wrapped up in books than real life. But when my friend brought up the idea, I thought that it might prove to be a worthwhile endeavor.

He wondered if his answer had been too drawn out, but he could not take the words back now.

Derek: What about you?

Alissa thanked the waitress as she brough out their food and turned back to Derek.

Alissa: What about me?

Derik: What made you decide on doing this blind date?

Alissa blushed at the question. Her reasons for doing a blind date were a bit embarrassing.

Alissa: I am doing this at my mother’s behest. She thinks that I do not hang out much and wants me to “have more fun” Her words not mine. I love my mother and know that she just wants to help me, which is why I am doing this.

She gestured between them and then took a sip of her tea.  

Derik nodded and grabbed his fork.

For a moment, a silence ensued. But it was different from the first silent. This time it was a peaceful silence. Neither of them felt the need to talk and just enjoyed their food. After they finished and the waitress came back with refilled on their drinks, they talked again.

They spoke about their families, their jobs, his’ being an author and her’s being a preschool teacher. She told him about her two dogs, Kibble and Sausage, and he told her about his book collection.

Alissa: You have a book collection? That’s what you collect, not seashells or rocks, or anything like that?

Derik could tell that she thought a book collection was a lame thing to collect.

Derik: But it’s not an ordinary book collection.

He waited for her to take the bait.

Which she did, reluctantly.

Alissa: What kind of book collection is it then?”

Derik smiled and said: Each book I collect is from a different place a travel to.

Alissa felt more interested by this.

Alissa: How many books do you have in this collection?

Derik: 82

Her eyes widened.

He laughed.

Derek: But some just come from the cities I have been to, but other have come from places like France and Ireland.

Alissa: I have always wanted to go to Ireland.

He raised a brow.

Derek: More so than France? I feel like most people wish to go there more.

Alissa shook her head: I think it would be lovely to travel to France, but I have always been more interested in Ireland.

Derek: Maybe I can take you there sometime.

She smiled and found that she would be happy to go to Ireland with Derek.

The rest of the date passed with ease, like a hangout between well acquainted friends.

Three years later…

Alissa smiled thinking about that blind date all those years ago and rested her head on her husband’s shoulder.

Alissa: Did you think that after that date, we would later start dating and even get married.

Derik smiled.

Derik: I never expected that. In fact, I was sure that it was going to just be a chance to meet someone new. I never thought that I would meet the love of my life, my other half. What about you? Did you think anything would come out of the date?

Alissa: I knew it, of course. Otherwise I would not have gone on that date.

Derik knew she was teasing.

Derik: You did not. I know you were only doing it for your mom’s sake.

Alissa laughed and pushed his shoulder.

Alissa: Yes, well, there are two sides to every story.