Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Well, time to go to Church!

First, before we get started, I just want to give a shout out to my readers - especially to my friends and the readers from the 911 dispatch!  Sign up so I can talk with you!  I'm so happy you are reading.  I truly hope these stories are entertaining you between the stress of answering 911 calls.
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So I promised you another story about Tiger.  Hold onto your Cowboy hat – cause here goes:
Well, tme to go to Church!
I really don’t remember giving Tiger my phone number, but I must have when I was under his spell as I received a call from him about a month after I first met him.
Turns out he wasn’t all that mad at me for leaving him at the bar.  He most likely doesn’t even remember the entire evening.  We were both partaking too much with what the bartender had to offer.   Tiger gets a little crazier than anyone I’ve met.  I’ll have more stories on how much he likes to indulge.   But for that evening, he just remembers the boat ride, dinner, dancing and of course the unforgettable make-out session we had in the side bar.
To be honest, I haven’t forgotten about it either.  It was that good.  A young man, with a firm (but short) body, jeans that were so tight you saw everything he had to offer,  . . .  a HUGE . . . belt buckle (what did you think I was going to say?) cowboy hat and boots.  (Oh yeah, the boots.  Boots always have me turned on.)  Bulging biceps, strong hands and of course soft lips that made me tingle.  Can you picture this guy on a romance novel cover? 
During the upcoming phone relationship we have he sent me a picture of him with no shirt on, bronze, broad chest, glistening with sweat, and flexing his muscles while roofing a house.  I almost got into a car accident when I received the picture.  PSA – Public Service Announcement:  Don’t text or receive hot pictures while driving!
I don’t think I’ll ever forget or want to forget our first make out session.  I’ll be in my assigned seat at the nursing home cafeteria yelling out my story as my table mates can’t hear as they chew their soft dinner.   They may have even turned off their hearing aids just so they don’t have to hear this story once again.  I don’t care – I’ll tell this story as loud as I can to whoever wants or doesn't want to hear just to relive my younger years.
“Hey there sexy lady, this is ahhh, ughmm . . . . . . . . . . Tiger.  How you doing?  I wanted to talk to you a little bit.  I was uhhh think’n  . . . . . .  about you . . . . . . . . . . . . .  and our ummm night together.  Ummmm yeah, . . . . . .  give me a call if I like, yeah,  I mean if you like.  HA HA!  OK. Talk to you later.”
Oh yeah, this is the little Tiger I know.  His words come out so slowly as if he’s just figuring out how to talk.  He’s as thick as two short planks.  I can’t believe he’s calling me.  I start to laugh but then get a small thrill run up my spine and want to call him back. 
What stops me?  Should I write a list? 
·         He’s 15 years younger than me
·         He’s 5’4”
·         He lives with his parents
·         He has a reputation in the neighborhood of being a rough kid, likes to get into bar fights and drinks too much
·         Dumber than an box of rocks – (but I do find out later he’s not as dumb as he gives off)
After you read this list you are probably wondering why I get a small thrill that he’s calling.  Should I remind you of the first description of him in paragraph 4?  Sometimes, I can be shallow and just want a good time.
The next call I receive from him is when I’m on a “Girls’ Weekend” up north.  I was stumbling out of the bar after consuming approximately four cherry bombs, thanks to Bella, and a number of beers.  We all pile into the car and my phone rings.
“Cheetahtort!  Your phone is ringing!  Here let me answer!” screams Bella as we are driving with all the windows down as some of us are smoking. 
“Yellow – this is Cheetahtort’s phone.  Who’s calling?”  Bella answers.
“Hey there sexy lady!”  Tiger drawls.
“Well, yes, I am a sexy lady, thank you – but this isn’t Cheetahtort, this is Bella.  Again, who’s calling?”
“I bet you are sexy.  HA HA!  Um, . . . yeah, I was looking for  . . .  Cheetahtort.  Did I get the wrong number?  If I can’t find her, should I call you again?”
“I’m only going to ask this one more time!  Who’s calling!?”
“Ahhh, yeah,  . . . right, I’m sorry, this is Tiger looking for a sexy lady, named Cheetahtort.”
Bella puts the phone to her chest and screams out in the small Nissan Sentra “Ahhh, Cheetahtort!  – who’s Tiger???  Girls, someone’s holding out on us!  Cheetahtort has a Tiger calling her!”
For about 45 seconds all you could hear in the car was cat calls!  Pun intended.  I thought only men acted like this.
“Ooooooo Cheetahtort has a MAN or should I say a BIG Cat calling her!”  Lauren says while trying her hardest not to run over a deer on our way home.
“A tiger.  Grrrrrrrr,  Roaaaaarrrrrrr,” says Maddie as she raises her hand up like claws.
“Hey kitten; you have a Tiger on the phone, that’s puuuurrrrfect!  One cat calling another cat!” says Coco.
Wow!  With friends like these who needs friends? 
As I’m laughing, I grab a hold of the phone.  “Yeah, Tiger, I’ll call you back,” and hang up.  I think I might have heard some laughing on the other end and a “wait” as I hit end.
“What the hell Cheetahtort?  Who the hell is Tiger?” someone yells, I’m not sure as I stare at my phone in awe. 
Maddie is quietly laughing in the back waiting to hear how I explain Tiger.
I explain the whole first “Tiger” meeting to them on our way home. 
They are all on pins and needles until the point I say ‘I drive away’.
“Cheetahtort – who cares if he’s young!  You need to get yourself a ‘Frank’”.  A Frank is a name of a great husband of a good friend of Maddie’s who happens to be a lot younger.
They all seem to agree, so I decide to call him back.  This starts our phone relationship.  Since he lives a good distance away, that’s all we have for quite a while.  Text messages, phone conversations and pictures.  Did I send pictures back?  Yes, but just one.   Curious?  Ask.  J 
I must confess there was one Saturday that Tiger called me early and said he’s in the neighborhood and wanted to see if I wanted to grab a cup of coffee with him.  I give an excuse that I’m up at a friend’s house many miles away as I was too scared to see him.  When we were ending our conversation he says he was going to walk up to the coffee shop.  When I hang up I struggle to get some pants and a shirt on, get into my car and do a drive-by where he’s going to be walking. 
Sure enough I see my little Tiger strutting down the sidewalk with his tight jeans, cowboy boots, no cowboy hat, but a bit of a scruff on his chin. 
Damn . . . .  he’s sexy.
I wipe the drool off my chin and do a couple more drive-bys.  After my third drive-by, yes third, I take a real look at myself in the rear view mirror and decide I’m a scary stalker and go home.  Again, sometimes I get in my way.  Why didn’t I stop to pick him up and enjoy the afternoon with him?  Still to this day I can’t answer that.
He calls me later that night to tell me he saw a white car driving by a couple times and asking me if it was me checking him out.  This man has confidence and boy oh boy, was I busted!
After awhile of not seeing each other, our phone relationship ends . . . until . . . I go back to his small town of Siren for the 4th of July.
Siren is a town where when you first enter the establishments, the girls look at you with the stink eye thinking ‘who are they and what are they doing in our bar?’  ‘They better not be interested in my man!’  It’s a place where the men have been with all the women and want fresh meat.  Everyone knows each others’ business and everyone just wants to drink, smoke and get laid. 
I like going there because overall, no one knows me and I can do what I want without having to explain anything to anybody.
This July 4th weekend, we are all sitting by the lake and reminiscing with Carly, Maddie, and Bethany.  We are laughing at what happened last year.
“Wouldn’t it be funny if I ran into him again this year?”  I say wishing it would happen.
“I think you will as I see him every once in awhile.  He has quite the reputation down here.”  says Carly.
I start to get excited for what the night might give.  I make sure to look the best I can.  I put on a cute short black skirt and a white tank, high heels and the hottest undergarments I have. 
You never know what might happen. . .
We get to town and go to the Legion right away for a couple of cocktails.  I love going out in this town as I feel it’s a vacation town, where everyone left their inhabitations at home.  Maddie, Bethany and I step out for a smoke and there are a lot of people making their way to Hungry Hippo. 
“Cheetahtort, isn’t that Tiger?”  asks Bethany as we watch a group of people walk by.
I look the direction Bethany is pointing and I don’t have to look too long to notice the tiny dude walking away from me with everything I want for the evening.
“Ooooo, you know it – that’s Tiger!”  I say getting some nervous energy.
I wanted to see him again, but all of a sudden I was nervous.  What if he looks at me and regrets our night?  What if he realizes how old I am?  What if he doesn’t even want to talk to me?
Who cares?  Right?  That’s what I go with, I just want to have fun with or without him.
We finish our drinks at the Legion and make our way to the Hungry Hippo to hear the band.
We grab a couple beers and/or red bulls and vodka and walk out to where the band is playing.  It’s packed with a full-range of people.  Young beautiful and not-so-beautiful people; older people that you wonder if they are up way past their bedtimes; the drunks;  the trailer park trash, the kids getting in on fake ID’s, and the normal, like me and my friends, of course J.
It doesn’t take but 3 seconds before Neal screams “TIGER!  GET OVER HERE – CHEETAHTORT HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU ALL NIGHT!” 
Thanks Neil, I think and shake my head in embarrassment.  I truly wanted to strangle him to brink of death, let him breathe just so I could do it again.
I run up to Neil “Shut up!”  I look at him so irritated! 
He laughs and says it again, maybe even louder, just to piss me off.
Tiger hears his name, looks over, sees me, smiles, puts his hand through his hair, and walks over to me.
It’s almost like he’s walking in slow motion; looking like he stepped out of a romance novel cover once again with the wind machine blowing his hair back. 
As he gets closer, his smile widens.  He’s finally by my side.  But Neal grabs him, pulls him away from me and starts telling Tiger that all Cheetahtort has on her mind is Tiger.  I wanted to slap him. Well, maybe more than that;  stab, strangle, suffocate and bury were also on my mind.
This doesn’t faze Tiger as he slowly steps away from Neal and walks back over to me.  He doesn’t say anything but smiles up to me. 
I smile back with my flushed face and thank God that it is dark out so he can’t see how embarrassed I am. 
“I’m so sorry about that,”  I say shyly smiling to him.
“Don’t worry, I remember how Neal is.  Don’t give it a second thought.”
He takes a gulp of his beer, swallows and says “I was . . . hoping I was going to see you tonight.”
“You were?”
“You bet – I was going to call you to ask if you were gonna come, but I thought maybe you forgot about me.”
“How could I forget Tiger?”
“HAHA – You’re right.  You know, I’m kind of a big deal,”  he says in his cocky funny way.
We talk for awhile, and then he excuses himself to see the friends he came with. 
Addison, a friend of mine that has a cabin down there, comes up to me with a devilish smile, “Cheetahtort, Tiger huh?  You gonna make out?”
“What?  I don’t know.  He left to talk with his friends,”  I say laughing.
She then introduces me to a couple of her neighbors.  They start to tell me they know his family.  They are a good family in the neighborhood, but he has quite the reputation.  While listening to them, I feel a warm strong hand on my arm.
I turn to see that Tiger is back with a beer for me.
Ahh, he’s back – but he also has a beer!  Bonus!
“Sorry about that.  I wanted to tell my friends that you actually showed up and that I was going to be with you,” Tiger says while handing me the beer.
I take a big gulp of the beer he brought.  I didn’t realize I needed that as much as I did.  I smiled down to him, give a small laugh and then get more nervous than I thought was possible. 
What did he mean he was going to be with me tonight?  I may have put my sexiest undergarments on – but was I really ready for this?  It’s been so long!  Did I really want this?  Yes – I think.  Could I really entertain him for the evening?  Yes – are you kidding me?   What are we going to talk about?  Maybe we don’t need to talk. . . Oooo, I like the sound of that.
Maddie and Bethany come over to say hi.  He’s so kind to them.  He remembers them from our first meeting.  They don’t stay too long as they can tell the two of us want to be alone in this crowded bar.
“I keep thinking about our kiss and how we didn’t get to finish,” he says confidently and rises on his toes to give me a kiss.
It was a sweet soft kiss like I remembered and I want more.  That shy woman from the time before was gone.  I want more.  I need more.  I deserve more.
“Tiger, let’s go over here.”  I say pulling him by the hand to a corner of the bar where there is a chair.  I needed to be on an equal level as him.  Bending over was going to get tiring.  There was only one chair – but we didn’t care.  I sat down.  He straddled me, held my face and started to continue where we left off a year before.  It was just as nice as and a little better than last time.  Why? Maybe because we both felt like we knew each other a little more. 
We are there for the rest of the evening.  I look over to my friends and they are pointing and laughing at me.  I find out later that they were all wondering where we went and were hysterical with laughter when they saw him on my lap.  I guess he looked like a little child in his Mom’s arms, but we weren’t doing what mother and son would do.
Maddie walked over to us.
“Hey guys, we are thinking we would go back to the cabin and sit around the bonfire.  What do you think?  Tiger, you can come with us if you’d like?
“Do you want to come back with us?” I ask.
Uh-huh,” was his only reply as he kisses my neck.  “I want to be with you.  I’m coming home with you this time.  Cheetahtort, I’m not letting you go.” 
“Tiger, I’m not promising anything!”
“Cheetahtort, I don’t care!  I just want to be with you!”  he says with authority.
Oh yeah – I like this! But knowing that he wanted more.  Hey, I’m not stupid.
“Maddie, do you have a condom?”  I say quietly to her so Tiger can’t hear.
“No!  I don’t!  What the hell?  Are you going to have sex tonight?”
“I don’t know, I just want to be careful, in case that happens,” I say not recognizing myself.
I run over to Bethany.  She doesn’t either but she is so surprised by my question that all I see is her dropped jaw.
I run over to Addison.  “Addison, do you happen to have a condom?”  I yelled this question as the band ended their song and went suddenly quiet.  I got so embarrassed especially when I realize the straight-laced neighbors that I just met might have heard me.
“HAHA!”  Addison laughs.  “Cheetahtort – for Tiger???”
“You bet!  It might happen!”  I say with all the confidence in the world – but really inside I’m scared to death.
“You go girl!  But I’m sorry – I don’t have one.  Go check out the bathroom!” Addison says while shaking her head and laughing at me.
I run to the ladies room.  You’d think at this type of bar they would have condoms!  You’d think they have a variety of condoms.  You know the ones with ticklers and stuff – but NO!
As I’m leaving the ladies room, I notice Tiger waiting for me. 
“Whatcha doing?”  he says while taking a hold of my hand.
“Looking for a condom, do you have one?”
“What?  I thought nothing was going to happen?” he says surprised but happy.
“I’m not promising anything; I just want to be prepared,”  I say trying to make him understand that this still could possibly not happen.  I don’t want to get his hopes up.
The poor guy, I’m giving him such mixed signals.  Yes! No! Maybe?
We slowly walk out of the bar because it’s so crowded and pass by his brothers and sisters.  I think I might have received a couple shocking looks from them.  They might have been thinking . . . What on earth?  How old is she?  What is she doing with him?  What is he doing with her?  There goes our Tiger making more mistakes. . .
I got a little self-conscious, looked over to Tiger and he was proudly walking me through the crowd, obviously not being concerned with all the looks, but maybe focusing on what might actually happen tonight.  He’s so confused.
His hand in mine and his confidence made me feel a little better and my head started to rise.
“Come on Cheetahtort and Tiger, we’re leaving!”  says Carly.
I’m relieved, as I know that Tiger is welcome in their home.
We pile into the truck and drive back to their cabin.  Tiger is holding my hand and trying to keep up with the badgering we are receiving that we are now together (for the night).  I notice that he doesn’t care.  He’s so laid back and this is like water off a duck’s back.  Again, this makes me feel better.
We get back to the cabin.  While the men gather the wood for the bonfire, the women are in the bathroom with me. 
“What are you doing Cheetahtort!?   Are you ready for this?  He’s HOT!  You haven’t done this for so long.  You know you don’t have to do this.  Are you sure?  Do you really want to?  He’s a nice guy.  You can say no.”  This is the barrage of questions and comments I get from the ladies.  
We go out to the beautiful bonfire that the men started. 
Maddie brought her Ipod and started to play some music.  We sat around the bonfire telling stories until, one by one, people started to drop out.
First it was Carly, then Bethany, then Maddie and finally, Neal.
We were alone.
We were sitting in opposite seats across the fire.
“Let’s take a look at Neal’s boat,” says Tiger.
“Sure,” I say as I get up and walk over to him.
He takes my hand and we walk onto the dock and into the boat.
We sit in the back of the boat and talk.  I say talk, but I’m really not sure that happened. 
We kissed, touched, kissed, smiled, laughed, played, got nervous, and STOPPED!
He might have had to pull up his pants for us to walk back to the bonfire.  I’m just saying.
We sit near the bonfire, but not close enough.  He grabs my hand and says, “Cheetahtort, come here.”
I get up and sit on his lap.
We sit there listening to Journey.  We soon find out that this is one of our favorite bands.  Who doesn’t love “Faithfully”?
The stars and moon are shining, the fire blazing, loons are calling and we are kissing. 
If this guy were my age, taller, not a drunk, stuck around . . .  (I’ll tell you more stories), didn’t live with his parents, this would have been the perfect night.  But, I put all these things out of my mind and enjoy.)
After hours of this, we knew we needed to go to bed and walked into the cabin.
Our bed (my bed) was the pull-out couch.  Maddie was in the other couch in the same room.  We tried to pull out the couch without waking her but were laughing like crazy.  Once the bed was out we jumped in.
We got under the covers, took off our clothes, got close, and . . . .
Well . . . I’ll let you decide what happened.  J  But remember I’m a good girl.  Good girl gone bad?  Or good girl staying the course?
I got up early and realized I had a little koala bear hugging me, his eucalyptus tree.  His legs and arms were surrounding me.  I raised my head and saw Maddie looking over and trying to hide her laugh.
“What is this?”  I ask laughing back to her and looking at this naked man holding me and not letting me go!
“I think you have a little man attached to you.”  she laughs and puts her hands behind her head, lying on the nearby couch.
“I’m so sorry if we woke you.  We had some trouble with the bed.”
“I didn’t hear a thing!  But I do see Tiger’s ass right now?”
“Oh I thank God you didn’t hear us but yes, isn’t his ass lovely?”
“Why?  Was there something to hear? And yeah I can say I don’t mind seeing that in the morning,” she says laughing and pulling the covers over her head.
“Nope,”  I say dismissing the entire conversation.
Tiger stirs, grabs tighter, brings me closer and says, “I don’t want to wake up.  I had a great dream.”
Maddie and I look at each other and burst into laughter. 
About a half hour later and maybe a couple feels later, we get ready to leave. 
Bethany agrees to drive Tiger home.
We grab something to drink.  I grab a Mt. Dew and guzzle it as I’m so dehydrated. 
I’m sitting in the back of the car with Tiger next to me and Maddie next to him.
Because I’ve had too many Red Bulls the night before and now a Mt. Dew my heart starts to go crazy.  I get nervous and put my head down as I can’t see anymore.  Tiger gets a bit nervous for me.
“What the hell Cheetahtort?  Are you OK?”
“Oh goodness, I’m fine.”  I say not completely sure I am.  This has been happening a little too much lately, where I lose my breath, my heart starts racing and I can’t see straight.  But I don’t want to freak anyone out so I say everything is fine.
He’s got a hold of my leg and rubbing it up and down and every once in a while taking a peek at me, wondering if I really am fine.
Overall, the conversation in the car is quiet.  We are all tired from the night before.
When we finally make it to Tiger’s house, Tiger squeezes my knee and slowly gets out of the back seat but not before he quickly sneaks in a small kiss.  I’m not sure anyone notices.
We watch him get out and walk to the front of the car, look around and then walk back to my window and says, “I could have sworn I left my truck here.  Where the hell is my truck?”
“What’d you do with your truck Tiger?” everyone asks in unison.
He shrugs, looks at me and says . . .   
“Well, time to go to Church!”

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

What Happened Between Tuesday and Wednesday?

I know it’s been forever since my last post.  I’m sorry but work has been getting in the way.  Here’s my latest story.  I really hope you enjoy it.  As always, please leave comments.  Tell me what you think.  I love to hear back from you.  Most of the comments are from “anonymous” so it’s hard to write back but I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your words.    Well, let’s get on with this already! J
What Happened Between Tuesday and Wednesday?
So, on Bella’s advice I join an internet dating service.  I’ve done this before.  Actually I’ve done this a lot, but never on a free site.  Here goes. 
I grab a glass of wine and sign up.  I’m surprised with all the questions.  They are fun and interesting questions, so I don’t mind too much.  Plus I have my Sauv Blanc in front of me, so I’m enjoying myself.
I’m answering questions like:
·         Alone in public, do you usually start conversations with strangers?
·         Do you like to dance?
·         Do you like porn?
·         Do you keep a to-do list?
·         Do you do drugs?
·         Do you consider yourself smarter than most people?
·         So, if a implies b, does that mean not b implies not a?
·         Would you rather get caught masturbating by your mother or father?
·         Do you like wild parties?
·         How do you feel about blind dates?
·         What about homeless people?
·         Do you pay your bills, in full and on time?
·         How do you feel about sex without love?
·         If you have five very successful dates with someone, are you a couple?
·         In public, someone winks at you.  That is flattering or cheesy?
·         You’re in a serious relationship, and your mate asks for a threesome.  You are more offended or relieved.
·         Suppose your boyfriend/girlfriend is horribly burned in a car accident that was totally your fault.  They are badly mutilated and “pissed off”.  Is it time to say goodbye?
·         Would you rather die yourself or have 10 random people in the world die?  What if it were 10,000 people?
Honestly, there about 500 of these types of questions.  I was having so much fun answering the questions; I didn’t realize I was sitting at my computer for over two hours.  I stop the question/survey portion and decide to work on my photos.
I try to find the most current where I don’t look too old, but as cute as I can be.  Pictures where I look active, maybe my skydiving picture?  I look adventurous.  Maybe a picture of me at the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer walks?  I look philanthropic and fit.   Another picture when I’m dressed up.  I clean up well.  And of course a picture with all my girlfriends smiling and having a good time.  I look like a fun person that gets out and has a good time. 
Once completed with the entire profile, I hit publish and stare at my computer.  I start to get nervous.  What am I going to find? 
I sit and ponder.  No, this isn’t scary, this can be exciting.  I’ve got to be positive.  I hear my friends’ voices in my head telling me, “You have to have a better attitude.”
I take another sip of my wine and all of sudden there’s a change on my screen.  I get an instant message from someone named hiIwanttolayyou.  You’re beautiful.
I shake my head, gulp down the rest of my wine, hit ignore, and shut off the computer.  I get ready for bed, praying this isn’t the quality of men that will continue to contact me.  Let this time be different.
Sure enough when I wake up I had a tug on my line when I was sleeping. 
I can’t give it my full attention until I get to work and take a peek before anyone gets in. 
I look around me to see who’s in the office when I hit enter on the site name.  Newinthecities sent me a message.
Hmmm.  Let’s see what he’s all about.  I first take a look at his pictures.  (Seriously, who doesn’t do that first before reading what the man has to say?  I know I’m not alone in this!)
Pictures look decent; actually kind of nice.  He might look like he’s going to download a baby soon, but  there are a lot of men out there that have a beer belly at this age.  He still looks pretty good.  Bella might be onto something here.  I take a look at his description. 
·         6’5”.  Nice!  A taller man!  I seem to like the shorter men – but it sure would be nice to actually look up to someone.
·         Christian.  He’s not an atheist? Not Agnostic?  Really?  Another plus!
·         Divorced with two boys.  I’ve never dated a man with children – but I don’t think at this age I’ll find anything different.
·         Entrepreneur.  Does that mean he has a job?  Most men I meet seem to get by in life without one.  I really need to figure out how they do this as I want to do this.  But maybe they peruse these sites looking for someone to support them.  Yes, I know I sound pessimistic, but you’d be too if you had my history with dating.  (I actually have a story to post later about a pan-handler.  Yes, true story.)
·         Drinks socially.  I hope this means like a cocktail or two and not an alcoholic.
·         Drugs?:   No.  Meaning not at this moment?  Or wants to but can’t afford it?  Just got out of rehab and really trying to deny the dark impulses and feelings? 
·         Likes to go out yet also likes to stay home, cook and watch movies.  All I see is that he likes to cook.  I like to eat, so this could be a good match.
·         Golfer and doesn’t mind teaching.  I have my own clubs.  For some reason this really turns men on.  Owning my own clubs does not mean I know what I’m doing.  But he did say he doesn’t mind teaching.  My mother always said “a couple that golfs together stays together”.
I take another look at his pictures and decide to read what he wrote. 
“Hi Cheetahtort.  I checked out your profile and think we might have a connection.  Do you want to take a chance?  Let’s take this chance together.  I’m new to this site and new to the cities.  Saw your picture and wanted to meet you.  What do you think?  Would you like to see what happens?  Let me know.  I hope you respond.  – Steve.”
He didn’t say anything scary.  He was kind and thoughtful.  But you never know.  My guard it up, but I remind myself this is why I’m using the site – to take a chance.
Of course I show Maddie the profile and pictures. 
“Is he towering over that Christmas tree?”  Maddie says amused.   She’s seen so many of these photos and I think she might have her guard up as well.   “Seriously, how tall is this man?”
“HA!  It says 6’5”.  You’re right, he looks enormous or that’s a really tiny tree.  What do you think?  Should I respond?”
“Yeah, why not  - go for it.”  Maddie says not convinced this is going to work.  I turn my head to see the pessimistic look on her face and realize I might have the same look.
But I decide to “take a chance with him.”
“Hi Steve.  Thank you for the nice message.    I checked out your profile as well and you seem like a nice man.  It would be nice to get to know you more.  I loved the picture of you with the ‘Charlie Brown’ Christmas tree.  Let’s take the chance.”
I don’t hear from him for two days.  But I had some entertainment during this time. 
I had many 21 to 26 year old men (or should I say boys) e-mailing me. 
I love older women.  How do you feel about younger men?”  One said.  Do you like friends with benefits? another asks.  All I can think of is my little “Tiger”.  Not doing that again.  I learned my lesson.  (Don’t worry I’ll keep you updated on Tiger.)  But I’m flabbergasted at how many young men want a cougar or dare I say a Cheetahtort.
Then finally I get the e-mail I was waiting for . . . “Cheetahtort, sorry for the late response.  My kids take priority and I’m not always able to respond.  I’m sorry.  I hope you are doing well.  I would love to grab a drink or coffee sometime.  Let me know.  Steve.”
I don’t have kids and have never dated anyone with kids so this is all new to me.  But I respect his responsibilities.  I end up giving him my phone number so we can tie down the plans. 
He calls me but I’m not around my phone and am not able to answer.  He ends up leaving me a text message.  I’m fine with a couple text messages but not having this as our only type of connection. 
“Good Morning!  I’m sorry I didn’t catch you.  I’ll try again tomorrow.  We got busy with some last second homework and I was ready to murder mystery my son.  Enjoy the nice weather.” His first text message reads.
“Sounds good, I’m looking forward to your call.” I respond.
He calls the next day while he’s sitting in the car while his sons are running in to the pizza joint picking up their dinner.  We have a quick, fun conversation.  I get a small picture of what this guy is like.  At least I get to hear his voice, his laugh and sense of humor.
I like what I hear so far.
“Cheetahtort, my sons are running back to the car, I need to go, but can I talk to you later?”
“Of course.” I say trying to be understanding but questioning why he doesn’t call when he has the time.  But again, I don’t have kids so I really can’t judge.
He calls the next night and we talk for an hour or so.  It was a really good conversation.  I’m still not sure why each man has to give their whole life history in a single breath.  It’s almost like they are throwing it up and then can feel better and can move on.
I, on the other hand, don’t give up too much right away.  I’m more guarded and don’t want to give too much right away.  The world doesn’t need to know all my stories (except for my readers J).  Besides, I don’t think they are listening anyway.
But, I’m able to get a couple words in and he seems to like what I have to say and says . . .  “Cheetahtort, we need to get together.”
“Alright, you name the place and time and I’ll be there.” As I like what he has to say as well.
We meet at Buffalo Wild Wings for a beer. 
I walk in and he’s waiting for me.  I turn around the corner and see a very tall man standing and waiting for his date.  He looks nervous as I see him wringing his wrists and pacing.
I walk up to him, tap him on the shoulder, he turns to see me, gives me a once over and gives me a warm, strong hug. 
“Cheetahtort, it’s so nice to finally meet you.” He says while still hugging me.
“Nice to meet you too.”  I say with my face forcefully pressed against his shoulder.
I struggle to back up to look at the man who is aggressively hugging me. 
I’m pleasantly surprised.  He looks just as good as his pictures.
“Let’s take a seat.  Would you like a beer?”  he asks.
“You bet I would.” I say in return.
We are eying each other, making our own judgments.  Is he worthy?  Is she worth my time?
I’m guessing we both pass as we order our beers.  I take a look at the server and I think she recognizes me.  I can tell she’s thinking . . .   Wasn’t she just here two weeks ago with a nerd?  I think she was here for half a beer.   (I'll share this story)
We take our first sips of our beers, relax and start enjoying our time together.
We are getting along great.  He’s a true gentleman.  He shares his stories, he asks me my stories, and he actually listens and makes comments.  I start to get shy, which is always a good sign.
I pay attention to his body language.  He starts to touch my arm.  I pay attention to my own body language.  I don’t pull away. 
“I’m not a ladies’ man, I’m really not.  I’m not a player.  If I were out with my buddies and saw a beautiful woman sitting alone, across the bar, I wouldn’t go up and approach her.  I’ve actually never approached a woman.  Maybe that’s why I’m single.” 
(Strange thing to say, but I think he’s trying to prove that he’s a good guy and not a womanizer).  Yeah, I bite. 
After a couple beers, we start to wrap up the evening.  He pays for the beers and he walks me to the car.
“I had a really nice time tonight; I would really like to see you again.  Would you like to grab coffee or something on Sunday afternoon?”
I smile up at him.  He laughs a shy laugh, takes a hold of my hand and pulls me into a hug.
“That sounds really nice.  I had fun tonight and would like to see you again too.”  I say once again pressed to his shoulder.  Maybe this is something I need to get used to.  I think I can.
We say goodnight and he walks to his car.  He looks over his shoulder my way and gives a small smile and wave.
I get into my car, sit quietly for a moment and then give a loud squeal. 
“Yes!”
Once I got home, I realize I’ve already received a text from him.
Cheetahtort, I had an awesome time with you.  Wow . . . you are very beautiful and smart too . . That’s a combination that makes my knees weak.  I really can’t wait to see you again.  Sunday seems a long way away.
Another loud squeal makes its way out without my noticing!
I try to take a breath and want to respond.  Oh what to say.  Don’t sound desperate.   Don’t sound too anxious.  Sound confident.  Sound nice.  Another deep breath and . . .
“You are so nice.  Thank you!  I had a great time.  I know you don’t like hearing compliments but I thought you were very handsome too.  Looking forward to Sunday.”
I put the phone down and do a small dance.  I try to calm down and sleep.  It’s hard.  I keep thinking about the gentleman I was just out with.  His eyes, his smile, his laugh, his touch, his text; I’m reeling in the possibilities.  I haven’t been on a nice date for so long.  I toss, turn, smile, giggle and finally have a dream-filled sleep.
I wake the next day, take a look at myself in the mirror and see the restless sleep I had the night before.  “Ahhhh” I scream at my reflection and am relieved that I’m not seeing him today. 
I get to work and Maddie sees the permagrin on my face.
“Looks like someone had a good time last night.” 
“I did!”  I say with a dreamy look on my face.
I take my phone out of my purse and notice I have a new text. 
“A text message!” I say to Maddie! 
We read it together.
“Good Morning!  You sure were on my mind last night . . . I dreamed about you all night!  I have to say you really have me intrigued.  I like you!  Have a great day.  Oh, thanks for the nice compliment . . . coming from you that made me happy.”
“Wow, that’s awesome Cheetahtort, tell me all about it.  I can tell by the look on your face it was a good one.” Maddie says knowing it’s been a long time since I’ve been happy about a date.  I think she was already preparing herself for my horrible story.
Of course, as a girl, I tell her all about it then anxiously respond to his text. 
As I knew he was going to the baseball game that night I respond. . .
“Good morning!  You make me smileJ  I like you too and looking forward to getting to know you more.  Looks like you are going to have a great day for the game tonight.  Have a great time!”
He instantly responds with - “Do you like going to the games?  I have access to tickets pretty much whenever I want if you ever want to go. J
That would be so much fun!  We should do that sometime for sure!  I hope your friend feels well enough to enjoy tonight.”  I respond.
Later that evening when I know the game is in play I see a storm rolling in.  It’s pretty bad that I see on the news that they are evacuating the stadium.
“You better be careful – I would like to see you again.”  I text him.  I’ve never put myself out like this.  Ever!
“You are a sweetheart”  is his return.
The next day . . .
“Is it Sunday yet . . . Geez louise I kind of can’t wait to see you again!” Is the text I receive when I wake up.  What a nice way to start the day.
“Good morning!  You say the nicest things.  Geez louise, I can’t either!  I hope you have a great day.”  I say in return.
He continues to send me messages saying he wishes Sunday were closer or why did he make the second date so far away.  Or that he could help make my boring day brighter.  Or what he does when he’s bored at work.  Then he says that he may need a bottle of wine before Sunday and asks me where there’s a cute wine sales lady, knowing I work at a wine store.  I don’t tell anyone where I work as I’m a sitting duck there and can’t do anything if someone visits me.  Like them or not.
I wake up the next morning to texts from him.  He’s now started to call me Sweetie pie.  (Ugg!).  He really can’t call me that as he really doesn’t know me yet.  Yeah, I might be guarded.  Do you blame me?  And why all the texts?  Can’t a man call a woman anymore?  Texts are fun, but if you are courting a woman – shouldn’t you call them?
Then he continues to text me with “What was the reason I couldn’t see you tonight?  Or “Hi Hon, just thinking about you and how nice it’d be to see you.”  “I’m hoping to get a kiss next time I see you.”
 I tell him I out and busy with friends. 
I’m not going to give up my life waiting on the next date.  I continue with my life.  He tells me that he’s not doing anything but watching his kids.
Finally Sunday arrives.  We meet at a coffee shop.  He’s late of course.  But I forgive him when he walks in because he looks so good.  We stand in line and order our drinks.  While I’m placing my order, he puts his hand at the small of my back.  He’s taller than me and I feel protected.  Oh Yeah, I like this feeling.  I tingle from head to toe.
We sit down with our drinks and start our conversations like we have been friends forever.  It’s very comfortable.  He reaches across the table and takes my hand.  I look down to my hand wrapped in his.  It’s been so long since a man, that I actually like, takes my hand.  I like this but am a bit uncomfortable because I don’t really know him.  Yes, I can go out, drink a couple cherry bombs, find a man and make out.  But this is different.  This is important.  This isn’t just a drunk make out session.  This is two people meeting each other trying to figure out if we are meant to be.
He notices me being a bit uncomfortable.  “Cheetahtort, you told me you were shy.  I don’t believe you.  I see you.   You may be a little reserved, and I don’t blame you, but I don’t see a shy woman in front of me.  I see a confident woman that’s maybe had some bad dates before and not ready to let go right now.  I totally understand.”
I blush at what he says and try to change the subject a bit and say, “Funny you say that.  I’ve started a blog about all the bad dates I’ve been on.”
“You have a blog about bad dates?”
“You bet and I’m completely honest in my posts.”
“Well, you won’t need this blog anymore Cheetahtort.  You’re dating me now and I will never treat you poorly that you would need to blog.  Wait, maybe you should blog about how a good man treats a woman and then you can blog about me.”
Did I finally meet my match?  Did I finally meet the man I was supposed to meet?  Did I just start my blog and now need to stop because there is a man out there for me that isn’t shit?
I’ll be honest, I was hopeful.  I was holding my head up higher thinking, yep, even though this is really early on, this might be a good one. I haven’t seen anything scary yet.  He hasn’t told me he’s addicted to drugs or alcohol, he hasn’t been grounded by his mother lately, or needs to take a cab or walk wherever he goes.   I felt very optimistic and happy.
“I’d like to see you again.  What do you think?  Should we do a picnic on Wednesday?”
I laugh at him as I can’t hide my happiness.
“Why are you laughing at me?”
“I’m not laughing at you.  I’m enjoying this moment.  A picnic sounds really nice.  I’d love it.”
He walks me to my car with my hand in his.  I have a hubcap missing and he checks out my car, trying to judge my wheel size, wanting to fix this.  I’m in heaven.  Having a big strong man taking care of me. 
I’m smiling at him when he looks up from my front right tire.
“What?” he says with a little smile.
“I know, I’m driving a poor white trash car, and I’m embarrassed.” 
“Cheetahtort, I’m not a label guy.  I don’t care what type of car you drive.  But, I do care that you get to your destination safely.”
I think I might have swooned.
If I did or didn’t, he was there to grab a hold of me.  He looked down to me, while his arms are wrapped around my waist, smiled and slowly bent down to give me the sweetest, softest kiss.
I didn’t care that we were in a coffee shop parking lot and people were all around us, I just enjoyed.
We said our goodbyes with another kiss.
When I got home I got another text from this tall luscious man. 
“I really enjoyed seeing you . . . I don’t know if you noticed but I really like you!  Can’t wait to see you Wednesday.   Don’t be a stranger Honey and I won’t be either.  Call me whenever you want.”
“I did too and I do too.  Thank you for today.  I’m really looking forward to Wednesday.”  I text back.
Once again I find myself jumping around in my kitchen.  My cat gets scared and runs off. 
I rush to work the next morning because I can’t wait to tell Maddie all about the date. 
We get our coffees and commence our usual morning coffee talk. 
I gush and she sits back and laughs at my happiness. 
While I’m gushing, my phone buzzes.  I get so excited I nearly spill all the contents out of my purse looking for my phone.
“Good Morning Sunshine!  (I’m surprised by this endearment as my Dad has always called me this) It’s a glorious morning . . . about the only thing that could make it better would be another kiss from you!  Have a good day.”
I blush and turn the phone towards Maddie so she can read.  We start laughing together.
Around 12:30 I get another text . . . “I’m really busy today but I keep thinking about you”. 
I don’t hear from him the rest of the day, and that was alright as I was really busy myself. 
On Tuesday morning I get a couple more “cute” texts.  I guess this is his only way of communication.  I find it frustrating, but I’m willing to go through this if it means I get him in the end.
Later that afternoon, I get:
“Hi Honey . . . Bad News . . . I’m going to have to beg you to give me a rain check for our Wed. picnic.  I’ve got a rescheduled baseball game that I just can’t miss.  His mom can’t take him and its smack dab in the middle of the evening at 7.  I’ll call you later tonight.”
I don’t respond because we can talk later when he calls.   
Well, he doesn’t call. 
Did he not call because I didn’t respond to the text?  I wait all morning for his usual early morning text. 
No texts.
He’s cancelled our date, doesn’t call when he said he was going to, and now no morning texts?  Something’s up. 
So many things are swirling around in my head.  What could have happened?  Did I say something wrong?  Maybe he’s just busy?  Maybe he died?  Changed his mind about me?  A bookcase fell on top of him and he can’t reach a phone?  He went into a seedy part of town to buy drugs and the drug dealers stole his phone and car and he had to walk miles in his flip flops.  (sound familiar?) 
Everything that could go through my mind did. 
I decided to text him and see if everything was alright.
“I hope you are OK.  It’s a great day for baseball.”
Nothing.
I wait until the end of the day to text again.  I don’t want to seem pushy or needy – but want to at least point out I know something’s wrong.  So I go with . . .
“OK J  I’m adding you to my blog! J
My phone buzzes and I receive a text from him:
Hey I’m sorry Cheetahtort . . . You’re only the sweetest, cutest, most genuine woman I’ve met.  Unfortunately I met someone else too that I have a really great connection with.  You deserve an explanation and I guess I was just stalling.  I truly apologize and I guess you have every right to rip me.  A lot of finding people is timing . . . And I guess mine is terrible. . . Because you are really great . . . so I just hope you won’t completely hate me.  Good luck.
I’m stunned.  He found someone else?  How?  When?  I’m not stunned that he found someone else because he’s a good looking, charming man.  I’m stunned that he was courting me, saying the things he was saying to me and texting me all the time.  When did he have the time?  Was he sitting across the table with a woman and texting me?  After he had coffee with me, did he have lunch with her? 
Well, at least he didn’t waste any time and told me right away.  Well, sort of.
I respond with “I wish you the best.  Have fun.”
Fucker.