Breve Series: Date at the Water Grill

Untitled Part 7

                                                                                           -14-

After Evelyn changed into dry clothes she borrowed from Susan, they regrouped in Susan's living room. Pete, the brave male warrior, joined them again. After a little Pete-taunting for his desertion on account of a girl fight, Evelyn told her story. She emphasized that she had been against this blind date from the beginning. When she finished, she crossed her arms on her chest and leaned back in the chair.

"The floor is yours! I'm listening. What do you think?"

The audience was quiet; they didn't quite know what reaction Evelyn was expecting. Finally Susan broke the silence.

"You know, mom, this is not the worst date ever."

"I have to agree with Susan," jumped in Brigitte. "There are worse."

"What makes you say that?" asked Evelyn.

"Experience," said Brigitte. "I've had enough bad dates that I could write a book."

"A book?" asked Pete. "You had so many dates that they would fill a whole book?"

"I didn't say that I had enough dates to fill a book," Brigitte corrected Pete. "I said I had enough bad experiences to write a book about them."

"Oh, I'd love to read that book. I hope I'll get a signed copy when it's published," said Pete.

"I'll make sure you'll get a copy, you could learn a lot from it," Brigitte shot back.

"Or you could just tell me. I'm all ears."

"Maybe you two could discuss it later," jumped in Susan. "Let's get back to mom's date story."

"I think there had to be some kind of misunderstanding. No one turns from nice to moron without a reason," Pete said.

"That part we already figured out," jumped in Kathy. "But we don't know what it could have been. Would you have any idea?"

"You might find it strange, but sometimes guys respond pretty well to questions," said Pete.

The women looked perplexed, so Pete continued. "Evelyn, why don't you ask him what happened? He is the best person to tell you why he acted the way he did. Anything else is just speculation."

Pete turned toward Brigitte, "And you can put this in your book too."

Brigitte nodded. "Sure. Maybe I'll even dedicate a chapter for your bad date experiences. You must have had a few too."

"Indeed. We should swap stories some time. I'll bring the wine, you'll bring the candles."

"Sounds good," smiled Brigitte.

"Can we get back to the subject?" said Kathy.

"Sure, sorry," Pete turned back to Evelyn "You won't know what really happened unless you ask him. If you're reluctant to contact him again, that's fine. But in that case, just let it go. But you shouldn't give up on dating just because your first date didn't go the way you had imagined."

The sisters remained silent for a minute then Kathy spoke up. "I agree with Pete."

"About which part?" Evelyn asked. "Should I contact him or should I let it go?"

"Let's vote," Pete suggested.

"Let's vote," agreed Evelyn. "Who is for asking him what happened? Show of hands!"

Pete raised his hand in the air.

"No one else?" Evelyn looked at her daughters.

"Come on, girls!" Pete said.