Valentine's Day Blind Date

Chapter 2

Kara smiled as Maddie Rawlins walked into the sushi restaurant where they met weekly for lunch. Maddie had recently retired and was working for an Air Evac company, which made it okay for her and Mike go out on a blind date. Maddie knew who she was being set up with and had given Kara permission. She had been attracted to Mike to begin with and she also understood that he was lonely. Maddie sat down and gave Kara a smile.

"Does he know its me?" Maddie asked.

"No. You are a blind date. I told him he needs to get laid." Kara teased.

"I would be happy to do that for him, but I seriously doubt he will want to. I can't imagine he will want to fall into bed immediately. I can give him good conversation and someone to be with instead of sitting at home." Maddie said.

"I hope this doesn't blow up." Kara remarked. The waitress appeared and they put their orders in.

"It'll be fine. I will behave myself." Maddie said.

"So, no beer pong or drinking contests?" Kara deadpanned.

"Only if he wants to do those things, but I think he's a bit mature for that." Maddie said.

"I think more than anything, he needs someone to talk to. Visit with. Outside of work. I cannot imagine still being able to function after losing an entire family. A wife and three children that he absolutely adored." Kara said.

"Someone to eat dinner with and watch a good movie with. At this point, its going to be mostly about companionship." Maddie remarked.

"You okay with that?" Kara asked.

"I may not be the person, but I can be the person to break the ice. I don't mind that." Maddie said.

"I'm just worried about him. I know it's not my business, but he's miserable." Kara said.

"Well, let's just see how Friday night goes. Red dress with black trim?" Maddie asked.

"Yes." Kara answered.

"Alright. I will look forward to it." Maddie said with a smile.

Friday Night

Maddie walked into the restaurant and sat down at the bar. She was a little early but that was alright. She ordered a glass of wine and waited patiently. Finally, she heard Mike's voice speaking to the maître d'. She stood up and made eye contact with him and he instantly smiled. As he and the maître d' walked across the floor, Maddie joined them. Once they were seated, Mike grinned at her.

"Why am I not surprised? I was afraid that Kara would pick someone that I didn't like or know." Mike asked.

"Most blind dates are blind on both sides, but not this time. I knew. We both felt that you feel better if you knew the person and the person understood your situation." Maddie answered.

"I appreciate that. I was afraid it would be awkward." Mike said. The waiter appeared and they ordered drinks and an appetizer.

"Yeah. Most first dates are, so if it makes it easier, this is just dinner with an acquaintance." Maddie said.

"So, how's retired life?" Mike asked.

"Somedays, I am bored, but I keep busy with my job." Maddie answered.

"You're a pilot for an Air Evac company?" Mike asked.

"Yes." Maddie answered.

"That always seemed interesting. You managed to have tonight off though?" Mike questioned.

"I work two twenty-four hour shifts a week, on Monday and Wednesday, so the rest of my week is open. I love that kind of schedule. I've thought about combining it to where I only worked Monday and Tuesday, but we'll see." Maddie answered.

"Long hours." Mike said.

"I don't mind it and I enjoy having five days off. Course, I sleep most of Tuesday and Thursday." Maddie admitted.

"I've thought about retiring, but I am afraid I would be bored to tears." Mike said.

"Oh? You have hobbies, I'm sure." Maddie said.

"Sure. I enjoy hunting and fishing. I like building furniture. I would probably buy a house with a workshop so I could do that, but there would still be a lot of empty hours." Mike admitted.

"I see." Maddie answered. Their appetizer arrived, and they ordered their dinners.

"I'm not very good at this. Blind dates, making conversation." Mike admitted a few minutes later.

"No one really is. Can I ask what your wife and you would do on dates?" Maddie asked.

"Initially dinner and a movie or bowling. Once we had kids and no money, we would cook a meal together, dress up in nicer clothes and eat together after the kids went to bed." Mike answered.

"Does it bother you to talk about them?" Maddie asked.

"Actually, no. I hate not talking about them, but no one wants to and so few people I know knew them. I want to tell stories about them because it makes me smile, but…its morbid." Mike answered.

"People don't understand." Maddie remarked.

"No, I suppose not." Mike said.

"I'll listen to you talk about them." Maddie said, shocking even herself.

"Thank you, but that would make all this uncomfortable and its not the easiest for me. I appreciate the thought though." Mike said.

"Maybe not tonight, but in general. On the hard days. I can give you my cellphone number." Maddie said.

"I'd like that." Mike replied. Just then their food arrived and the spent the next few minutes eating and talking about inane subjects. Maddie was beginning to wonder if she had overstepped because of how quiet Mike had gotten. Finally, he spoke up. "So, what after this? I know Kara had a suggestion, but I am not certain I'm ready for that." Mike asked.

"I didn't figure you would be. We can part ways or we can visit." Maddie said.

"Visiting is fine. I hope that doesn't bother you if you had other plans?" Mike asked.

"It doesn't." Maddie answered with a smile. She reached over and squeezed Mike's hand. She was shocked when he didn't let her hand go.

"I know this sounds stupid, but what I miss most is her being there. When I came home from a deployment, in bed every night, cooking dinner. Does that sound sexist?" Mike asked.

"No! I can understand it, mostly because I've never had a person at home. The thing is; my mom tells me that houses aren't homes. The people we love make a home. And in your case; you've not had a home or people in a long time." Maddie said.

"I like that." Mike remarked.

"Good. So, just a thought; I can understand you not being ready for much else, but what if we started meeting a night or two a week for dinner and to just talk. Doesn't have to be this high-brow. Very informal. Doesn't even have to be dating. Just someone to talk to." Maddie offered.

"I think I'd like that a lot." Mike said.

"Good." Maddie answered with a smile. She had actually anticipated Mike struggling with the idea of dating and while she was attracted to him, she was willing to wait.