Oh yes, they guy with the tie...
He walked in an I was floored. Hot. But more than that. I wanted to know everything about him. I have no idea why. I sat with my friends, 2 tables away, stealing glances in his direction between the clouds of cigarette smoke. He seemed utterly absorbed in his conversations with his friends. How was I going to make my move? No idea. I forget what we were all talking about. Who can remember drunken jabber, unless it's on camera? Hannah thought the guy in the tie was gay. I peered over. NO! it couldnt be so. I disagreed, but when someone hints at that sorta of thing, you think it might be so. I could see it. YES, maybe he was. NO! No way! I let it go. The boys scoped the room.
Suddenly, he was at the bar talking with this cute barchic. My heart sank. All those thoughts flooded my head: oh he likes HER, oh hes seeing HER, what is their relationship?, you dont know...quit jumping to conclusions.. all of that. But in the middle of this faltering of confidence, I had an idea. I asked Mario for 5$ to buy a beer. Mario knew it wasnt for the beer. I walked up to the bar and asked the girl for a bottle of Bud. She ran over to the other end of bar to aquire my request. Here was my chance.
"Do you have the time?" I asked him.
I cant remember now if he did or didnt, but he said something that kept my attention. I made some small talk, as much as one can in the 45 seconds it takes for a bar chic to grab a beer 4 yards away and return asking for 3 bucks. Suddenly, there was no reason to stand there anymore, as they seemed to want to resume conversation. I said some departing words and returned to the group.
"How'd is go?" they asked. I was glowing, yet dissapointed. "Well, I gave him the time line. "
My buds laughed. They know me well.
Anyways, the night continued and the guy in the tie went back to his original table and was chatting with this girl who looked quite sleepy. He was so attractive smoking his cigarette. I didnt want to sleep with him. I just wanted his full attention. But, alas, my friends were wanting to leave! What could I do? What a desparate woman does. I told my friends Id catch up with them. I slowly finished my beer, and walked over to his table, which happened to be by the door. I leaned over.
"I totally sorry to interrupt, but could I bum a cigarette?" (We all know I dont smoke) "Sure," he says, "this is my friend .... (i forget her name) She says hello and I say something to the effect of, "I need to sit down to smoke at this point...mind if i sit down?" and I plop down and ask her what she does, and she tells me, but I cant remember what it was. I put my smoke on the ashtray. I talk with the boy. I love his deep blue eyes and the little wrinkly smile lines forking out on the edges. I love his smile. I love the fact that he makes a nice conversation. We talk for a moment, and suddenly the girl runs out. "Bye...there goes my friend!" Literally, she ran out.
We shrug. Three minutes later, I say, "I dont smoke. I actually just really needed an excuse to talk with you, and asking for the time didnt give me enough time." Thirty seconds later, he asks for my number. He says, "Im really glad you did. Ive been admiring you all night..you have te most beautiful eyes, and i love your belt." (I did have on a rad, studded belt) So we chatted about this and that until about 30 minutes later, we got kicked out. It was after 4:30am afterall. We stood on the sidewalk outside and he asked me if it was really ok if he could call me. I, of course, said it was. We had a habit of staring too long into each others eyes. I asked him where he was off to, and he said Ft Green. Funny I lived there too. I said I was heading back, but I needed to pick up my stuff at my friend's house...down the street. (This is where all my buds had run off to). I asked him if he wanted to walk that way. Sure, he says.
We walk into Wil's place and I get the eyeballs. They all knew I had scored, so to speak. Wil pulls my ear over him "That was fast, honey!" with a smile. "I know," I say. I feel good, but I dont really believe Im all that. Im sorta shy around the guy with the tie (Shall we call him Lance at this point?)
We hang out for a bit, and Lance seems to be enjoying himself, however, everyone is talking about taking off, so I decide its better if I do too. Lance and I are both taking the F to Jay Street. I tell him about the lame bus. I think I wanted him to invite me over. But I didnt want to ruin a nice evening. He invited me over, but really sweet-like, and said it was no problem, hed sleep on the couch. I told him I didnt want to impose like that. In a way, I didnt, but the idea of hanging out with him a while longer had much appeal. In the end, I decided to head back to his place. We talk the whole way, keep our hands to ourselves. Its like a nice crush.
We walk into his (REALLY NICE) apartment and a friend is sleeping on the couch. He starts apoligizing. Im so sorry! I didnt realize he was here. I tell him its ok. I like his room. Its all Ikea'd out. The guy wants style, but has no other ideas than IKEA. Something sweet about that! Hes got the beige thing going on. Beige carpet, sheets, down quilt. A maroon blanket. The bed is all neatly made up. Three pillows, one longer one surrounded by two small ones. A remote control fan. No kidding. 3 guitars hanging on the wall. A book rack filled with bits and parts and pages of British mod culture (hes got the total mop top going on). We talk for a long while until we cant sit up. Im exhausted between the sun coming up and the alcohol wearing off. We climb into bed and face each other lying down on our sides. What a great tension!! I dont want to do anything about it. His one blue eye peeks at me above as we continue to talk. We dont want to go to sleep but we are too tired. A few long silences, but we avoid anything at all. Finally, I say I need to pass out. I flip over to my back is to him. I tell him I would mind his arm around me. He puts it over me without scooting any closer, over the bedspread. I was surprised and rather impressed. He gave me a couple little kisses on the back of the neck that set my spine a tingling. I prayed he wouldnt keep it up. I fell asleep.
We awoke around noon on Sunday. Soooo hot! Down quilts and sunshine dont mesh too well, you know? Smiles. Good mornings. More talking. A little shyness, but certainly no regrets. We get up because some friends of his are coming by to pick up a bookshelf. When they arrive, I find I know them! Two guys from Oberlin! "OMG! How are you!!?? " lots of where are you..and how ya been..and can you help me lift this bookcase down the stairs...
random, but nice. its nice to see familiar faces. Lots of Obies in NYC.
Its time to go. He walks me to the train station, about 10 minutes away. We stop to look at this crazy house with doors and windows added on in strange directions. like a weird art house or some sort. Lenient landlord!
We are at the C train stop, one past Lafayette. Well, here's the train. He says "I had a really wonderful time, may I call you?" (Did he need to ask again?) I say "Id be dissapointed if you didnt"
He smiles. Gives me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. We part and I head home.