He was engrossed — and I just felt gross
SPECIAL TO THE STAR
Erica is 36, works in performing arts and the non-profit sector, and lives on the Danforth. She says she is “a little crazy” and that her personal style reflects that. “I wear my hair as big and wild and curly as possible, and usually wear a matte red lip. I like to look as outgoing and wild-hearted as I feel inside.” Erica likes to volunteer for a variety of causes, work on art projects, bond with her friends, see theatre, dance and other live performances, and meet for drinks on patios in the summer. She says, “I am so excited for COVID to be over, when I will interact with others as much as humanly possible!”
I had been going out with Don for a few weeks and things were going really well. Our dates were often magical. Don both matched my energy and brought me down to earth. He was amused by my more artistic tendencies.
I was starting to feel that he was the one, even though I never really expected anyone to be that for me.
Don pointed out that our recent “dates” had been group events, including birthday parties and after-work drinks. He asked me if I wanted to spend a Saturday together. I suggested brunch, and he suggested brunch, an art gallery and a movie he wanted to see. I suggested we do all of that and then get sushi. It was a plan! “Date
day” was happening.
We started off by going to a favourite brunch spot of mine. This was pre-COVID, when the lines were out the door and down the street, even though the restaurant is a little bit tucked away. We sat at a table inches away from the people next to us. We realized that since we had waited so long in line that we were a bit late. We wanted to have a lot of time at the gallery before the movie started. Don suggested we order as soon as the server came over instead of getting coffee first.
I feel overwhelmed by long menus and never know what to get. I was tempted by the sweet dishes, which I normally order, but I wanted to have energy for the rest of our date day, so I
ordered the most proteinpacked breakfast, which had eggs, meat, cheese and beans, among other things. The restaurant has great coffee, so I ordered one with my food and one to go.
The food was delicious as always. We ate quickly, but we weren’t rushing each other or allowing the time stress to alter how we treated each other. We were at the point in our relationship where we had enough comfort together to troubleshoot an issue.
As soon as we got to the art gallery, I realized I was feeling slightly sick. I visited the ladies’ room, but it wasn’t a “bathroom problem”: I was just too full from brunch. Don was engrossed in the art, but I felt like I needed to have a nap. The idea of wandering around was a “no.” I found an empty spot on a bench, surrounded by children, and lay back on my bag as far as I could, with my eyes half-open. Don came back and asked how I was feeling. I wanted to say I was fine, but instead I moaned in reply. It was kind of embarrassing, but I was too woozy to care.
I was grateful that Don didn’t seem annoyed with me for not checking out the art with him, but he wanted to keep going through the gallery. I trailed him into the next room, located another empty seat and parked myself there while he looked around.
I found a comfortable chair in one of the galleries and sat there while Don toured the rest of the gallery. I stuck my headphones in and breathed in and out. I felt like I was ruining our date day, but I was more relieved that I was able to sit and digest.
When it was time to leave, I waddled after Don, feeling pathetic. I didn’t get any snacks at the movies, and when we left for dinner I was feeling much better.
Erica rates her date (out of 10): 5