Chapter 14: My First Date (with a Man)

When we were settled in the car, Paul said, “I hope this is OK, our reservations are at a regular family-style steakhouse. I didn’t realize you would be so elegantly dressed. Mom and I aren’t that well off. Staying at this high-end hotel was a stretch for us, but it was a special occasion.”

“Really? What occasion?”

“I’m sorry, that is Mom’s story to tell, and I promised not to talk about it. So please, why were you all laughing when we met tonight?”

“Oh, it’s just a hilarious coincidence. You see, a few weeks ago my sister was going to her Junior Prom. I’m afraid the preparations for that night were elaborate, a lot like those for me this evening. Tara had on a beautiful gown, her hair was perfect, and so on. When Carson, her boyfriend and date, appeared at our door, he took one look at Tara and said, ‘I feel like a troll standing next to you.’ Your same comment tonight just destroyed us. Get it?”

“Oh, that is funny. I suppose, in the right lighting, provided she wasn’t standing near you for comparison, Tara could be considered moderately attractive.”

“Paul Daniels, that is the biggest steaming pile of bullshit I have ever heard. I will never even be noticed standing next to Tara. Not with this wretched stain on my face.”

“Nora, I don’t know Tara. We just met. Alright, she is attractive. But I do know you, just a little. I want to know you better. And I’ve already said, your face is beautiful to me, because I’m seeing past the stain. And the 99% rest of you is perfect, also.”

“I’ve got one more thing to say about your sister. There’s one thing you have that nobody else, including Tara, has. You have the most spectacular butt. I think she would agree with me about that. One other thing you don’t know. When you climbed out of that pool, it wasn’t just me who noticed. There were six or eight other guys then who stopped and stared at you, too. Birthmark and all.”

We reached the steakhouse and stepped from the car.

“Nora, do me a favor. Let’s enjoy our dinner, and not speak about your sister, your stain, or even your spectacular backside. Agreed?”

“Agreed. Although I may have to discuss your backside. As in, kicking your ass. So be warned. Don’t feed me any more bullshit.”

“Understood. By the way, how old are you?”

“I’m 18, a few weeks from 19, why? Oh, of course, alcohol.”

“I’m 22, and I’m not driving tonight, so I will have some wine with my dinner, if you don’t mind.”

“Go right ahead. Let’s get seated.”

“Reservation for Daniels?”

“Right this way.” We were seated in a booth, and I sat with my stain towards the wall. The dim lighting helped, too. Paul had been gently encouraging me, but I was still feeling very inhibited in a public setting. I needed the ladies room so I excused myself and left, head inclined down as usual to hide my deformity.

When I returned to our table, Paul stood up as I re-seated myself. This earned him a big smile.

“What can I get you?” I asked for a 7-up or Sprite, while Paul asked for some red table wine. I smiled at her but didn’t let my face turn enough for the server to see the side of my face. (Which Paul noticed without commenting, I could tell.)

“I want to know all about you,” he said, “but I think we need to study this multi-volume menu first.” I was stunned to see a ridiculous list of cuts, sizes, and presentations. Some choices were immense, “A 36-ounce steak? That’s three pounds of meat! A whole neighborhood could live on that.”

Craving something a little spicy, I chose a petit filet, carne asada style, while Paul chose an entirely reasonable 16-ounce Porterhouse.

“Well, Nora Vinke, time for self-revelation. Ladies first. I want to know everything you want to tell.”

“Paul, I’ve already told and shown you the important things. I have been disfigured from birth. This thing is called a nevus —” I gave him the whole spiel, including how I had missed out on getting laser treatments in early childhood.

I went on to describe my bleak history as a public school student. “At least, since I had no social life, I could focus on learning enough to get admitted to UCLA. I want to study biology, perhaps as a Pre-Med program, if I can swing the costs. Looking way ahead, I would be doing medical research, rather than frightening any patients with my deformity.”

Paul looked pained. “Nora, I hope I never hear those ‘D’ words from you ever again. I’m begging you now. Please!”

“Really, it’s not an issue. I accepted my, uh, situation, a long time ago. But, if it irritates you, I will avoid the words.”

“My sister Tara, by contrast, is a huge social success. With her looks, her athleticism, and her attractive personality, she is popular wherever she goes. I don’t know how she does it, but she wins over even the catty and spiteful girls. And the boys are always interested, although she’s been pretty tightly wrapped up with Carson this past year.”