Mediocrity: Chapter 5

Chapter Five

I should have known that Lisa calling me after one on a Friday night, or Saturday morning I guess, means she has some great idea that just couldn't wait until the hangover passes. She has another blind date for me to go on, probably some guy who was too interesting for her to sleep with last night. She’s such a good sister, I’ve always loved hand-me-downs. It’s now been two weeks since Ben’s news about his visit. In between our chats I’ve been planning our road trip furiously, looking for the perfect places to go and stay in. I haven’t told him that’s what has been keeping me busy, though. I just keep telling him, “Don’t worry, if I agree to do this with you, I’ve got it thought out. Big ‘if’ there hey.” And we would laugh and continue chatting away about something else.

At the moment, however, I’m on my way to some fancy-ass restaurant on beach road to meet this guy Lisa is setting me up with. I just said yes, because honestly, I am bored. The previous guy, John or Jake or whatever his damned name was, just ‘ran out’. I felt like I knew exactly who he was after those three meet-ups. There’s nothing wrong with that, I just wanted more where there wasn’t more. I turn left onto the street flowing parallel with the sea. I don’t come to the beach often. I think there’s a universal rule about that, something like ‘The closer you stay, the less you go there.’ And vice versa. I literally stay a few blocks from this paradise.

I find parking that’s a bit of a walk to the restaurant, which is perfect. I don’t want to park right in front of the place. What if he’s already standing there, and witness my entire routine climbing out of the car, dropping at least two things, tripping over something, with my hair in my face and mouth from the wind, and probably stalling the car just before I’m finished parking? The consequences might be dire. I’m speaking from experience. This one guy, a few years ago, thought I was completely crazy. So here we’re going again. There’s bound to be something else that will jeopardize my future with this guy. The probability of that something being my dorky self is high.

I lock my car and start walking. It’s a nice and warm day for middle August in South Africa, some people are even making footprints along the shore, gazing out at the sun dropping lower and lower. It’s going to be a beautiful sunset. I fix my eyes back onto my path and look ahead at the restaurant. I look for a guy wearing a black shirt, with light hair and glasses. I see no one.

Well, this is a little weird. I always make sure to arrive two minutes after the date time to make sure the date is already waiting for me.

I arrive in front of the restaurant and peek inside. There are only three tables occupied in the entire place, two couples and one family. I check my watch, and then my phone. Nothing.

“Can I help you, Miss?” the hostess asks, frightening me a little. I didn’t even notice her when I walked in. She’s standing behind the counter next to the entrance.

“Table for two, please.”

She nods and smiles, “Inside or outside?”

“Outside sounds nice.” I pull my knitted dress down a little as I follow her outside. She opens the sliding door and leads me outside. There are a few more tables taken out here. She gestures towards a table right by the edge, next to the glass railing. I thank her and take a seat. I immediately start taking in the view.

What a perfect place for a date. The sun is just about to make a breath-taking exit, the temperature is not too cold to sit outside, but just cold enough to make it cosy while sitting here underneath the awning and some blankets which they’re handing out, and there isn’t even a breeze in the air. Absolute perfection, almost makes me want to reserve this moment with someone I know a little better…

I gaze across the sea, then move my eyes to the people walking along the pathway next to the sand. There are some joggers, as well as some elderly couples, probably too finicky to walk on the sand. There’s a guy just standing on the sidewalk, peering across the ocean with his hands in his jeans’ pockets. He’s wearing a grey jacket that looks a little old, yet stylish. He turns around to search the area around the restaurant, looks at his watch, and looks back. His eyes start searching the balcony where I’m sitting, skims over my face towards the people two tables behind me, then looks back at me. He stares or studies me for a few seconds, it’s hard to tell from this distance. He clearly realizes something and then starts walking to cross the street. I study him a bit more carefully now and realise that he is wearing a black shirt underneath his jacket, that his hair is a dirty blonde or a very light brown, and he’s wearing a pair of glasses without rims. Something inside me jumps and my nerves suddenly set in. I check my dress again, I check my stockings, and I feel to check if I still have hair. Was it really a good idea to wear my hair in a ponytail? My scarf hasn’t moved. Everything should still be in place. Oh my god my face. Too late now, he’s inside. The hostess leads him onto the balcony outside. I rise from my chair and smile brightly, probably showing all my teeth. When he gets to the table, I hold out my hand to introduce myself. At the same time, he comes in for a hug. Before he bumps into my hand I quickly take it back and lean in to the hug.

“Anna, nice to meet you.”

“Likewise, Jesse, is it?”

He chuckles, nods and gestures for me to sit down. He takes his seat across from me, and moves the chair a little to left, towards me, to face the view a little more.

“I assume Lisa didn’t tell you much more than that.”

“Not really, she wasn’t really sober when she told me about you.”

He takes his wallet, phone and car keys out of his pockets and place them on the dinner table. “Yes, it’s really frustrating being around people who are so inebriated they can barely hold a decent conversation.” He takes off his jacket and hangs it around the shoulders of his chair. “Your sister on the other hand, seems to do that quite well. Several shots later even.”

I smile, “She does have a gift.”

“So she only told you my name?”

I shake my head, “That, and that she’s not going to tell me anything else because that will spoil the surprise, since apparently you’re the birthday gift she still hasn’t given me.”

He seems impressed by this, “Wow, she must really think a lot of me then. This makes things a little different.”

“No pressure.” I joke.

He smiles, “So, what do you do for a living, Anna?” and so begins the generic date questions.

I take the last bite from my pizza and place the cutlery parallel with the edge of the table. “That was delicious.” I say sincerely as the waiter takes my plate. I honestly cannot believe how well this night is going, the food is decent, the sunset was incredible, we now sit by candlelight as the air slowly gets colder, and Jesse is actually half interesting so far. He orders two chocolate mousse cups. Thank god. I hate it when guys try to share a dessert.

“Thank you.” I nod at the waiter as he leaves. “Not that I go on that many dates, but I always end up having to share a lemon meringue or bowl of ice-cream with my dates. I hate it.”

He lifts his eyebrows, “Oh, you also wanted some?”

My expression goes blank for about three second, and then start shaking my head, laughing to myself.

“Not to offend you, or anything, but you’re not the best audience. It’s rather frustrating. I’ve been throwing jokes your way all night, and all I get is a little chuckle. Am I not funny enough?” he says with a smile.

“No, no, no… I – “ I study his face. He seems to be asking me the question very casually. He doesn’t seem to have a problem with that fact, but he’s bringing it up. I wonder why.

“That’s just me. I really enjoy your humour, and I do show it, so why do I need to throw my head back in laughter every time?”

“Like Lisa does?”

I look at him and realise that he’s right. “Yes… like Lisa does.” I stare into the distance, into the direction of where the sea most probably is. Only the waves are now visible, under the light of the street lamps dotted along the road below us.

“Generally, if someone likes you, they laugh at most everything you say.” He remarks, taking a sip from his glass of red wine.

My phone buzzes next to my hand, I reflexively look down. My heart leaps into my throat. It’s from Ben. It reads “Guess what.”

I ignore the phone and make eye contact with Jesse, trying to keep my smile controlled. “Yes, generally.”

He puts his glass down and leans closer to me, “How will I know if you like me?”

I look down at my hands, trying to hide my blush. I force myself to look up after a few seconds. “If I go on another date with you. I rarely do second dates.”

“That’s reasonable.” He smiles. He looks genuinely happy. Oh no, this is bad.

He takes my hand, holding it in both of his. “Anna, will you grant me the honour of taking you on a second date?”

I giggle awkwardly. This is so cringe-y. I can’t decide if I want to run away or disappear. I play along. “I don’t see why not.”

He smiles widely, and sits back as the waiter serves us our chocolate puddings. My phone buzzes again. Why is Ben awake at this hour? “Where are you? Did you develop a social life? Should I send help? I have news.” I slide my phone into my purse hanging over my chair, and I enjoy the rest of the night in Jesse’s company.