Chapter 4 #2
You know, I’ve never had to tell someone about myself. Like, what do I say? I have green eyes and blonde hair. That feels very lame.
I hit Send and bite the inside of my lip as I wait for his response. I know absolutely nothing about this guy, yet I have a little butterfly that is starting to swarm in my belly at the excitement of it all.
Well blonde hair is helpful. I know you work downtown and live in SoHo. So, we can skip all of that.
All my fears of online dating boil to the surface as my heart starts to pound. I have to admit, I’m super freaked out right now. I wonder if I should even respond or just block him altogether, but curiosity gets the best of me.
Um … how do you know that?
Ha! I’m not some crazy stalker. The app told me that and a few other things about you. Did you not see the notes about me before you responded?
I close my eyes and giggle to myself as I let out a long breath.
No. Obviously, I didn’t. You’re my first match. I just saw the text and responded. Give me a second to go check you out.
I touch the buttons on my screen, not sure where to go to see more about this David guy.
A few options in, I see a section titled Your Matches, so I click there, and David's profile pops up. I learn he is twenty-eight and works downtown, which is nice. He lives in Greenwich Village, so he’s not far from me.
He has a master’s degree, grew up in Montana, and wants kids someday.
I nod my head, thinking, Yeah, he could be my type.
Montana is interesting. Since I grew up here, all I know is the city. And a master’s degree is impressive—good to know he has his shit together. Already seeing he wants kids is a plus, so I figure, Why not?
I close that section of the app and go back to my messages.
Look at you, all fancy with your master’s degree.
I tease him to see how he’ll take it.
It was only two semesters more of college, so not that fancy.
I like his humble response.
Where did you go?
For undergrad? University of Montana.
Then what brought you here? Work?
Kind of. I got my master’s degree at Columbia and liked it so much that I stayed.
You went to Columbia?
Yeah. Why does that sound like it surprises you?
I just don’t know many people who went there. Kind of prestigious.
You mean expensive.
I laugh out loud.
Yeah, that too.
That’s why I only spent two semesters there. It paid off. I love my job.
That’s good to know. Where do you work?
I hit Send, and the app sends me a warning.
This message did not send. Personal questions about work or specific information about your location are not permitted for safety reasons.
Well then, I tried to ask a question about your job, and the app virtually slapped my hand, saying I couldn’t do that.
Yeah. I was told it would do that for both safety reasons and to force people to get to know each other and not just hook up.
Interesting. Let’s turn the tables then. Tell me about yourself.
I watch as the dots appear, then disappear a few times, making me smile until he finally responds.
Now I see what you mean. That’s harder than I thought.
See! It’s not so easy.
Tell me about Montana. Do you go home much? I assume you still have family there.
Yep. All of my family is still in my hometown, called Red Lodge. I try to go back at least once a year, if work allows it. You grew up here? I can’t imagine what that was like.
I feel the same way about Montana.
Did you ever learn to ride a bike? Where? I lived on my bike, riding it all over town.
This makes me laugh out loud.
Of course I rode my bike. I didn’t grow up on another planet. It was just Queens.
Queens might as well be another planet compared to Montana. Your parents really let you just get on your bike and go?
I didn’t ride to other boroughs, if that’s what you’re asking. Do you know how far it would be to go from my house to Lower Manhattan?
Yeah, I didn’t think about that. My town was so small that I could ride my bike around the entire town in an hour. And everyone knew everyone, so it was like I had a hundred parents watching me wherever I went.
Now, that I couldn’t imagine. I only knew our direct neighbors and some only because they would yell at me to get off the sidewalk.
So, I guess you never got to explore and get dirty, riding in the creeks?
I was a girlie girl, dresses and all. No getting dirty for me, creek or not. Were you one of those boys you read about in Huck Finn who brought frogs home in their pockets?
Absolutely! And I loved every minute of it.
So, how did a seemingly country boy end up in the big city?
I ask myself that often. I love my job, but I miss home sometimes too.
I saw on the app it says you want kids. Would you want to stay here and raise those kids or move back home to give them the childhood you had, growing up?
Wow, kids question already. I’ve only known you all of about five minutes.
I close my eyes and let out a sigh. I’m so not that type of girl who's concerned about her ticking clock, and I know it just came off that way. I start to reply with that fact, but he responds before I do.
Totally kidding. That’s a valid normal conversation question that I honestly don’t have the answer to. I guess it just depends on where life takes me and what my wife wants.
Don’t worry, my clock hasn’t even been wound yet, so there’s no maternal ticking here. One day, but not anytime soon.
Good to know.
So, you’re old school, like you want to be married before kids?
Kind of weird that’s considered old school, but yes. I would want to do things in that order. I want my wife to have my same last name before we have kids, make sure we’re stable enough to take on the stress that comes with raising a child.
You act like you know this stress firsthand.
I have six brothers and sisters. I’m the oldest, so, yes, I kind of do.
SIX?!
LOL! Yes, six. How many siblings do you have?
Just me.
Wow. Your house must have been so quiet.
Ha! Your house must have been so loud! What are the age ranges?
I’m the oldest, and my youngest sister is 11.
Your mom was pregnant when you were a senior in high school?!
She sure was. By then, I was used to it. My sister is getting married in a few weeks actually.
That’s awesome! So, I take it, you’ll be going home then?
Of course I will. Wouldn’t miss it.
Do you like the guy?
She wouldn’t be marrying him if I didn’t!
This makes me laugh. Protective older brother vibe is kind of hot.
I should add that she’s marrying my best friend from high school, Aiden, so that helps.
Oh! Did you have to have that “I’ll kill you if you hurt her” talk?
Absolutely. Only for show though. He’s a good guy. Couldn’t have asked for anyone better.
Then are you the best man?
Of course!
Are they doing a formal tux or casual cowboy look?
A little bit of both. I’ll have a tux on but a cowboy hat too.
City guy in a suit with a cowboy hat. Nice! Do you wear one here?
Um, no. Not really a look that fits in downtown.
LOL! You don’t want to stand out?
Nah. I’m good.
So, country boy living in the big city, but not wanting to stand out in any way … Would you say that describes you?
Yeah, pretty much.
I smile at our conversation, wondering who I’m talking to and what I should say next when he sends another message.
On that note, my sister is calling, so I have to cut this short. She’s coming to New York for her final dress fitting, so we need to discuss the details. I’ve enjoyed talking to you though. Would it be OK if I texted you again after work tomorrow?
Yeah, why not?
Wow. Don’t sound too enthused or anything.
I laugh out loud at his message.
LOL! Sorry. I meant that as a good thing. I enjoyed our conversation, too, so, yes, please feel free to contact me again tomorrow.
OK, that’s better. Have a good night.
You too.