Kindness

Blind date

            I’m getting ready for my first blind date in nine months. I pulled out my little black dress from the back of the closet, red heels, and then I let my hair dangle in curls around my shoulders. I wasn’t looking for a rebound and I’d given up on true love. I just wanted someone who could accept who I’ve become, even if I couldn’t. I prayed that God would send me that man who could love my flaws as well as my perfections.

          I was at the restaurant an hour early. I order a steak, a steamed potato, and broccoli smothered in cheese.  I devouredit all before he arrived and sat sipping water. My back was to him when he called out my name.

               “Gabriella Berkingston?”

              “Richard Pierce?” I smiled excited. But when I turned around Rick was staring down at me just as surprised as me.

             He sat down and looked me over. As if to show he made up his mind he called the waiter over.

            “Hi, I’d like a steak, medium rare, a steamed potato, two pieces of corn, and a side of cheese smothered in broccoli. Oh, and a wine of your selection sir.”

            I smiled.

          “Um I’ll just have a salad, extra tomatoes with ranch dressing please. Thank you.”

           I watched the waiter scribble down the order, walk to the counter then glance back and wink at me. I looked at Rick perplexed that he didn’t walk away when he saw it was me.

            “Rick, why didn’t you walk away? I mean I thought you didn’t like me.” I said.

          “Look Ruth sometimes at work I get a little stressed, you know. You were just my target that day. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any of it.” He looked down at the biscuit rolls centered on the table.

          “I-it’s fine really. I mean I can understand being overworked every now and then. I’m really sorry about that. You know I just…”

       “Ruth, I mean Gabriella; you know you’re very beautiful.” He smirked. “What are ya doin tomorrow?”

            The waiter returned with the food and wine which gave me time to think. I couldn’t spend the day with him tomorrow. I barely even knew him. We never talked at work. However Rick was very attractive, charming, and kind. How could I say no?

            “Um well I guess we could hang out tomorrow. I mean I have nothing to do anyway. So well yea I guess it would be okay. Um what did you have in mind?”

              “Maybe we could go dancing, see a movie, and then take a walk on the beach to top it off. We could have dinner at my place.”

                 “O-okay sure.” I lied. I wasn’t at all sure.

                 He drove me home, walked me to the door, and placed a light kiss on my lips. Maybe he’s the man I’ve been praying for?

 15Do not love the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For everything in the world---the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does---comes not from the Father but the world. 17The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17 NIV)