Date Night: Ed
Walking down the street, Ed and Jessica chatted about little things, where they had lived and what they had done, nothing important. Arriving at the restaurant, Ed became a little nervous. He hadn't gone on a date in a long time and was worried he had forgotten what to do. Luckily, Jessica had planned it.
"Now," Jessica started as they stopped outside the doors. "Don't let the name get you. This place is great." As Ed opened the door for her, he looked up at the neon light. He smiled and entered it after Jessica.
"It's called 'The Dive'?" Ed asked. Jessica laughed lightly and headed to the host.
"I told you, don't get caught up in the name." She replied.
"Name?" The host asked, not looking up from the book.
"Raines." Jessica said. The host checked the book, crossed out a name, and gestured to a woman standing off to the side with his pencil.
"Sheila will sit you now." He said.
Jessica and Ed followed a slender blonde who seemed to have been born a brunette, by stories told from her roots. But nothing was said, not even the nonsense that everyone thought was plentiful in the bumbling brook of Ed. He couldn't talk, not really, even on a night he knew that he should. He was caught up in the evening, seeing Jessica this way. Even though they had just met, Ed couldn't help but feel more excitement about being with her, more than he had felt with any other girl.
As they came to their table, Ed pulled out Jessica's chair, something Double D had taught him years ago, before sitting in his one. Sheila poured water and gave them menus before quickly, and silently, departing. Jessica didn't even look at the menu before she put it aside and sipped at her water.
"What do you suggest Jessica?" Ed asked, wanting to start conversation.
"To be honest, not much. I've been here once and fell in love with their steak." Jessica replied. Ed glanced back at the menu before making his selection.
"What are you getting?" She asked, sounding genuinely curious.
"Same as you." Ed replied, with a smiled, as he put down his menu and sipped his water, not looking at Jessica but knowing she was amused.
"Not much of a risk taker are you?" She asked. Ed set his glass down and turned to her.
"I go by my gut and my gut wants to stay comfortable." He answered. Jessica laughed at this, and Ed was struck by how clear a laugh it was. It sounded pure, unadulterated by a harsh life. It wasn't cynical; in fact, it sounded like innocent fun. Ed hadn't heard a girl laugh like that in a long time.
"You're very beautiful." Ed stated bluntly. Jessica smiled and looked down at her plate. Ed felt his face flush, he hadn't meant to blurt that out so soon. Tact, he had been told, was key on a first date.
"That's what I like about you Ed," Jessica said and looked at him. "You are honest. It's never mean, mostly nice, and always true." Ed grinned, and knew this was the most he had ever smiled in one night. He was happy, and didn't have a clue as to what he would do for the rest of the night.
