Jaywalking with Strangers

Chapter Four

"You pass people on the street, some are for you, some are not."

Robert Henri

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Jay and I stand hand in hand on the paved cement watching the tram we just disembarked continue on towards Surfers Paradise. I stare blankly ahead at the blinking city lights agape at my own actions. What the actual flip am I doing, I question mentally as I drop Jay's slightly calloused hand abruptly. Stranger danger warnings swim through my head as I look around to make sure we're not alone.

Thankfully where we stand the street lights shine bright and illuminate everything. Plus there are crowds of people waiting for the next tram or walking past. My heart rate slows slightly, but I'm still regretting whatever crazy notion encouraged me to step off the tram so far away from my stop at eight o'clock at night with a man I'd just met.

"Umm, Jay you seem great. Really lovely. But I should probably be going, I totally forgot I have this umm, this thing on tonight." I speak stiltedly, realising how lame this excuse sounds but having no idea how to back out of this unexpected situation.

Jay's face drops slightly, his expression understanding but slightly disappointed. I feel bad, he seems so genuine but plenty of women over the years have been fooled by a nice smile and pretty eyes and I don't want to be one of those stories re-told in hushed voices, a statistic of the epidemic that is violence against women. I have to be smart, even if he seems like a nice guy.

"That's ok Claire, I understand. It would have been great to hang out, but if you're not comfortable I totally understand." Jay says kindly. "That game of mini-golf is going to be boring on my own though."

I raise an eyebrow sceptically, looking at his missing limb. "You play golf?"

He chuckles, the rich sound dancing around the night air. "Mini-golf," he corrects me, "I don't have the patience or ability to play it at full size. But I'd whoop your ass at mini-golf for sure."

I hesitate, part of me dying to just give in and go have some fun. I mean we did just meet on the tram, but is it really all that different from the Tinder dates my roommate goes on every weekend? She doesn't know those guys either, she only talks to them on her phone then meets them out somewhere for dinner or dancing. If I stay and play mini-golf with Jay I'll be surrounded by other people, and quite safe.

I'm sure he sees the indecision in my eyes, but he doesn't say anything. Just waits patiently, letting me mull over my decision. I like the way he isn't pushy, nor does he treat me like a child or an object. I know instinctively he's going to respect my decision either way.

"Well, I might be able to postpone my...ummm...thing I have on tonight, it would be cool to hang out. But what else did you have planned apart from mini-golf?" I need to know his expectations for tonight. I'm not a girl who hooks up with strangers and I don't have any intention to start tonight no matter how attractive he is. I'm also not keen on clubbing, the pounding music gives me a headache, and alcohol makes me feel unbalanced and unsafe.

"Mini-golf first, then I want to look at that cool haunted house thingy, maybe some dinner then Max Brenner's chocolate for dessert. See where the night takes me." He answers easily, his voice devoid of any type of sexual innuendo or suggestiveness.

"You had me at chocolate. Let's do this then." The words slip out of my mouth without permission, my heart thinking instead of my head.

Jay's face lights up, those beautiful eyes shining down on me in excitement. He seems happy that he's going to have company and my cheeks flush at the thought that he's so eager to actually hang out with me.

"Just give me a second," I say as I hold up a finger to him in a pausing motion as I pull out my phone. I search through my contacts for Zoe, my housemate. She and I share the rent of the small two bedroom apartment and we have become good friends. Before Zoe goes on Tinder dates she always texts me her location and the name of the guy she's seeing, a safety precaution in case something goes wrong. She's always encouraged me to do the same, but up until this point I've never needed to.

I quickly type a text, my fingers flying across the iPhone keyboard. "Hey Zo, going on date with a Tinder boy. Heading to mini-golf near Cypress Avenue. His name is Jay. I'll stay in contact with you throughout the night." I lie about the tinder thing. Zoe's been begging me for months to try it out and I've said no every time. She'll be ecstatic reading this message, and it's more socially acceptable to have a date with someone off Tinder than the guy you stood next to on the tram.

"All done, I'm all yours now." I look at Jay, "I'm totally gonna beat you though, just warning you" My nose crinkles a little as I grin, competitiveness creeping into my voice. We head off walking side by side up the sidewalk, my arm brushing his amputated limb. Heading towards the glowing sign proclaiming 'Mini-Golf for all ages'.

Jay grins cheekily, soft dimples appearing on his cheeks, "Don't count on it babe, I'm full of surprises."