LEONARD
'I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date!' And so another give-it-a-try evening. Due for a pre-dinner drink, a few peanuts, cheese and crackers, Leonard finally arrived, non-apologetically, cool, calm and glib. His NY tongue, short stature and $75 silk tie did not impress me. Our little leisure time was non-existent as we hurried to keep our reservation in the very busy, swinging, fairly expensive restaurant that he had selected. I was grateful he refused our table next to a private party whose boisterous and loud laughter was not contained behind the folding privacy door. At that point Leonard was up 1 point, down 5. He'd have to be a Superman to come out even or a God to be a winner.
'I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date!' And so another give-it-a-try evening. Due for a pre-dinner drink, a few peanuts, cheese and crackers, Leonard finally arrived, non-apologetically, cool, calm and glib. His NY tongue, short stature and $75 silk tie did not impress me. Our little leisure time was non-existent as we hurried to keep our reservation in the very busy, swinging, fairly expensive restaurant that he had selected. I was grateful he refused our table next to a private party whose boisterous and loud laughter was not contained behind the folding privacy door. At that point Leonard was up 1 point, down 5. He'd have to be a Superman to come out even or a God to be a winner.
Before I adjusted my chair and put my purse on the empty one, he had already called for coffee, DECAF, with MILK not cream. For the moment I thought I was at McDonald's. The coffee came, the coffee went--out of his cup onto the sparkling white table cloth., avoiding the saucer which he deigned not to use for any of his 4 re-fills. Bread and salad were delicious, served before my choice of entree, which was one of the least costly on the menu. It wasn't very good, but conversation was--up to a point. Between the dressing dripping down his chin and another call for coffee, DECAF, MILK not CREAM, Leonard pushed pork bellies, foreign exchange with great enthusiasm for his field. I thought he wanted me to get involved, perhaps invest $5000 for a month which could miraculously turn to $50000. I wondered and asked if it is so easy, how come he was struggling so hard to get on his feet after his ex-wife stripped him of his previous wealth. "Well,' he replied, 'it isn't THAT easy. You can lose it." My strong feelings against such dealings were made loud and clear so we got off that subject just about the time the last call for coffee, DECAF, MILK not cream, reached our waiter's ears.
Back at my house we talked of god, reincarnation, karma, health, politics, movies, travel, books, being single and his fantastic sex relationships. Suddenly 11:45 appeared on my digital clock. During the evening I had mentioned my disapproval of men who cliche they will call and don't, suggesting they should merely say, 'I had a lovely evening- Good night.' As we neared the door, Leonard said, 'I'll WILL call you' and I silently prayed he wouldn't. He gave me a good night kiss that I quickly wiped off as soon as the door closed behind him.
Crazy thoughts came of him wanting to show me his prowess as he balanced a cup of coffee, DECAF, MILK not cream' on his head. All he had on was the $75 silk tie. An innocent chuckle wouldn't stay silent and followed me to my bedroom.
Well, Leonard never became a god, a Superman or even Clark Kent, but who knows, maybe the next guy will start out on a higher plane and not have so far to climb?
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