Chapter 7: Dating Do's and Don'ts

After work, George raced home for a quick shower and threw on his interview suit. “Going out for dinner, Mom; do I look OK?” “Sure, Son, show her a good time. And get back before 10:00.”

“Mom!” Emmy laughed at him. “Ten a.m. A.M.! I’m not your chaperone. Maybe Paul can take out tonight.”

Returning to the downtown core, George parked his truck and inquired at the front desk. “Annie Toro should have left a key for me.”

“Yes, Mr. Toro, it’s room 727. Do you have any bags to take up?” “No, our luggage has already gone ahead, thank you. We’re just going to have room service.” “Very good, sir, the elevators are through the arch on your left. Enjoy your stay at the Downtown Marriott.”

At the door, George knocked. “Who is it?” “It’s George Toro, may I come in?” “Of course, you silly man. She closed the door behind him and then gave him a firm kiss before he could react.

“Good, that’s done. You’re looking quite handsome tonight. What would you like to eat? (It’s been plenty long since lunch.) I’m so grateful for your help today. My guess is the cops will only hold Jerry for a few hours, so I needed to stay out of sight until he dries out. Here’s your menu.”

After scanning through the choices, George was decided. “What would you like, Annette?” “The chicken parm looks decent. And you?” “Well, since I might need my strength to fight el toro loco, I better have the steak, medium, with potatoes and steamed corn.”

“But first, I need to call the desk and give them my credit card number, so our dinner will charge to the room.” Having done so, he gave Annette the phone to place their dinner order.

The meals were brought in on a rolling cart. With commendable restraint, the server was sent off with a $10 tip. When the door shut, the couple burst into laughter. “His name tag!” “Yeah, ‘Jerry’!”

While eating, each of them enjoyed a warm conversation. Annette learned a lot of George’s history, but she was confused. “How is it that a guy as good-looking as you never had a girlfriend? There’s something you’re not telling me. And you still live at home with your parents? What about college? Are you in a cult?”

“Annette, I promise you: I am not a threat. I will explain myself. If you disapprove of me, I will leave immediately, for good.”

She covered his hand with her own. “I trust you, I want to know. Please stay.”

He raised and then gently kissed her hand. “I hope you will understand.”

“My whole life, I have struggled to read and to spell. This year I have been getting special coaching for dyslexia. I have been using the internet to learn how to make conversation and communicate better. Until recently, I was too withdrawn to share my emotions with people, with women.”