One of the Good Ones ✓

Dinner Conversations

I'm one hour away from being done with work for the day when Lizzie finds me. "So Mandy told me something." She says slyly.

Acting like I had nothing to hide, I respond. "What did she tell you?"

"That you had an after hours tour last night with a certain Boston native..."

"I mean, most of the people who come through here are Boston natives so that doesn't really mean much."

"Are you seriously not going to tell me about it?"

"Seeing as how you couldn't even speak when he ran into me the other day, maybe it's best if I don't."

"Low blow." She says, rolling her eyes. "Come on, don't make me beg."

"He came by again. He had left his number and I hadn't texted him so he wanted an answer in person."

"Wait, back up, rewind. He gave you his number, and you didn't tell me and you also didn't text him?!" She shrieks.

"Would you calm down before you get us both fired?" I ask, looking around and apologizing to the other docents and groups that are walking through. "It's not that big of a deal. We're having dinner tonight to make up for him spilling my coffee." She screeches again. "Ok, you seriously have to stop doing that."

"I can't believe you. You said that you didn't even think he was cute and now you're going on a date with him."

"Ok, first of all, didn't say that. I said that he wasn't here to wife shop and I stand by that. Second of all, this is just a friendly dinner. It is in no way a date, so please, stop."

"Fine, I won't say anything else. Except that I want all the details tomorrow."

"Oh, what a shame then that tomorrow is my day off." I say, before moving to go clock out. It seemed that not even my shift ending was going to dissuade Lizzie from following me around, asking me questions. A year ago, this would've been enough to send me home, not leaving my house for days, but I was stronger now. I had grown during my time in Boston. Questions from an annoyed fan girl weren't enough to set me back.

"You're the worse." She says as we clock out, grab our things and head to the back door.

"Maybe." I say, panic setting in a little when I notice someone standing by my car. Upon closer inspection, the Redsox hat was a dead giveaway though and I instantly relax. "This is where I say goodbye. Please don't do anything to embarrass me or yourself." I tell her.

"You're going to have to introduce me eventually." She smiles.

"Not really. This is a one time thing." I say before parting ways and heading over to my car. "You know, you could've texted me the address. You didn't have to come meet me."

"Eh, it's not that big of a deal. I was with my ma this afternoon so I had her drop me off. I was hoping I could get a ride with you." He smiles at me and it takes every fiber of control I have not to simper at it.

"I guess that would be alright." I joke. I really needed to get a lid on this. He was way too good at tearing down these walls I had carefully constructed. We get in and he gives me directions and pretty soon we're pulling up outside a gate. "Ok, where are we?"

"I was thinking of cooking for you, if that's ok." I take a deep breath. Don't panic. He's not going to hurt you, I tell myself.

I fake a smile. "Yeah, that'd be ok." He looks concerned but doesn't press me on it.

"Fair warning about my house. I have an incredibly friendly roommate who probably won't leave you alone the whole time."

"What?" I ask with a laugh.

"My dog, Dodger."

"Oh I love dogs!"

"A girl after my own heart." He jokes.

...

"So are you from Boston?" He asks as we sit in his kitchen eating dinner later. I had to give it to him, he was a fantastic cook, whether he gave himself credit for it or not, and he had a way of putting me at ease, something not many other people could do.

"Not originally. I grew up in eastern Pennsylvania."

"So what made you pick Boston to move to?"

"I've always loved history, like I told you the other day. What better place to move than one of the oldest settled parts of America. Plus I love how the seasons are here." He gives me a questioning look. "I lived in the south until I moved up here and not having 4 seasons, or leaves that actually change into multiple colors, not just brown, in the fall, was something that I missed." He nods. "What about you? Did you ever want to live anywhere else?"

"When I was first starting out I thought LA was the only place I could be to do what I wanted to do. But age brings wisdom and I grew tired of the type of lifestyle that comes with living out there. While I do still keep a place out there for work, I'm here every chance I get. My family's here and this is just where I feel the most comfortable."

I nod. "I understand that feeling. Can't relate to it too much, but I get it."

"Ok, I gotta ask. You make comments like this and I can tell when you think no one is watching you turn inward, and you look so sad."

I sigh. "That's not really a first dinner type of conversation. There's a lot there and I... I don't know how to talk about it."

"Hey, that's ok." He says, offering me a smile. "If you ever want to talk about it, I'm here to listen. And I promise you I won't judge."

"Thank you for that. And for not pushing me."

"Of course."

We finished up dinner and I insisted on helping him with the dishes. "Thank you, for tonight. It's been a while since I've felt this... at peace." I say as he walks me out to my car.

"Well I'm glad I was able to help with that. Maybe we could do this again sometime."

I smile. "Next time I'll cook for you."

"Sounds like a plan." He says before opening my car door for me. I slide in and start the car, opening the window to say goodbye.

"Thanks again." I say before pulling the car into reverse and heading out of his driveway. It wasn't until I had gotten home and was in bed for the night that I realized I went the whole time I was with him without having any paralyzing fears or crippling thoughts.