Janet
It was a typical girls' night out – we did a movie and then grabbed some dinner at a restaurant we hadn't tried yet. Everything was going fine, and then Sam went to freshen up in the ladies' room. And I was able to overhear "the comment." Dun-da-dun. There were two guys sitting not too far away, although currently blocked by some decorative greenery, who had checked us out when we entered – had been pretty obvious about it, actually. But whatever – Sam and I try to look nice when we go out, because, well, why not? Two relatively attractive women – I'm actually getting used to the looks, and even grin at the sighs. It's all in good fun, right?
"Man, they look so fine together, it's like they were made for each other."
"No kidding – what a hot couple!"
It was the "couple" that caught me – it wasn't intended as a "couple of girls" or as a "couple of friends" – no, it was blatantly obviously those guys seriously thought Sam and I were a couple, as in romantically involved. Especially considering what came next...
"D'you think we might have a chance, dude?"
"Duh – look at them!"
"Oh believe me, I'm trying – stupid fake plants."
"The plants aren't the only stupid ones here – look at them! They've only got eyes for each other..."
moment of silence
"Oh... oh man! Wow -- cool."
Righto, so that hit me like a ton of bricks. Me, and Sam? A couple? I mean, yeah, we do spend a lot of time together, and she always knows how to make me laugh grin. We seem to know what needs to be said to each other, and when coffee or wine or beer (or the occasional back massage) is more needed or will be even more appreciated. We even share a daughter! But that doesn't mean anything, right? Okay, so I made it a rule that we had to glam it up for girls' night out – but that was not to see Sam dressed up – just to give me an excuse to wear something other than my uniforms (work or mom-style). And there's no arguing that Sam cleans up very nicely – not that I'm looking per say, just commenting!
Then there's the fact that she was engaged to Jonas ... wait, how about the fact that I have an ex-husband kicking around too? Now why did I forget about him – oh yeah, because I've been trying to do that for years. Right. But Sam was engaged to Jonas ... very much didn't pan out, but still – and she seems to have that connection with Jack. She's assured me, with the plying of more than a few glasses of wine, that nothing more serious than flirting will ever come of it, but one should be able to assure one's self that that in itself means something. Or something. Why the heck am I even thinking about this? I shouldn't have to defend anything to anyone, let along those two jokers -- we're close friends out for a movie and a bite to eat, and what the heck is wrong with that? shakes head It's just two stupid horny guys shooting off at the mouth, trying to justify why they wouldn't stand a chance with us without losing face. Yeah, that's it.
A strong hand slips onto my back, startling me out of that particular thought pattern, and Sam slides around the table to her chair.
"Penny for your thoughts, Jan?"
Oh shit.