Healing (Blind Date Romance contest Winner)

The Sign

Kelly continues to clap with glee, excitement clear across her face. I dread being out in public and taking on the social scene, but I have got to pull myself away from the bed and no longer sulk in my sorrows. Kelly is absolutely right, Jason wouldn't want to see me like this. It would hurt him to know how torn I am about his death. I know that if he was here in this moment, he would do everything in his power to take that pain from me.

"There is just one more thing." She says with a worried expression. "I kinda told someone to meet us there. For you. But I can't say who. And don't try and take it back now, you have already agreed." She says as she runs into my closet, throwing clothes off of the hangers. I hate blind dates but I feel like this is what I need to move on. "Here, this outfit will look great on you." She says as she shoves the clothes into my chest, urging me to change. I walk to the restroom with no words and decide to make my friend happy. When I come out of the bathroom, Kelly runs up to me and starts fixing my hair. "You are already looking so much better Melissa. That fire will be back soon enough."

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As we walk into the restaurant, Kelly drags me by the hand to the furthest table away. I stumble to keep up but as we reach the table, my breath is taken away from me. "Hi Michael! This is Melissa! The one I have been telling you so much about!" Kelly smiles as she playfully elbows me. I stand there awkwardly for a few moments too long and Kelly has to force me to sit down. "I'll be over there!" She says as she points to her boyfriend Luke. I didn't realize she was gonna leave me all alone with this stranger. Nerves start to build up inside of me and I'm already feeling guilty.

Michael looks over at me and smiles a soft smile, putting my nerves slightly at ease. "It's nice to meet you Melissa." He says as he extends his arm out to shake my hand. I shake his hand back and continue to stay silent. This date is going great. I can tell I'm making him uncomfortable. "I'm sorry Michael. It's been a while since I have been on the dating scene. I'm not to sure how I'm supposed to act. I don't even know that I'm ready." I say being as truthful as possible. He laughs lightly. "If I'm being honest, I could say the same thing. I don't even know if I'm the one that's ready." He says. I tilt my head slightly with a confused expression on my face.

"Did Kelly not mention anything to you?" He asks. I shake my head no. "All I know is that she dragged me here against my will out of the house, and now I'm sitting at a table alone with a stranger. Did you know that she even practically dressed me?" I say as I point to my clothes. He laughs at my sense of humor and that's when I start to slowly feel like my old, quirky self. Not completely but she's definitely coming back. 

"Alright well, the reason I am here is because we have something in common and Kelly believes that because of our similarities that we might need each other to lift each other up, to maybe heal one another." He says as he glances out of the window. "This is getting deep real fast, carry on," I say with a smile. "Alright well, basically I lost my wife in car accident about a year ago, and I haven't been the same person sense." He says as he looks down into his drink, sadness seems to take over him. My heart hurts for him. I reach out to touch his hand and I surprise the both of us at the gesture of affection. "I have to admit, when I saw you peer over Kelly's shoulder, this is the first time I felt a relief come over me in a very long time. Before I saw you, guilt of seeing someone else was eating away at me." He says sincerely. "If it makes you feel any better, I know exactly what you're feeling." I say reassuring him.

Kelly was right. I did need this. I needed to get out and speak to someone that was going through a similar situation. I look over at her and smile, silently thanking her for the break. After what seems like a game of 21 questions and phone numbers are swapped, Michael walks me to the car. He opens the car door and I take a seat, smiling up at him. That's when he looks down at me and says, "You're beautiful Melissa." My heart smiles and that's how I knew, Jason was there, allowing me to move on.