First 'Date'

I do recall that our first outing was to the outdoor cinema to see Gone Baby Gone. We were there with M & her cousin, D who I'd met only once before.

When I picked him up, he was in shorts & was bringing an extra shirt. I thought he'd freeze, but I suppose he's used to the cold because I don't recall it phasing him too much. Maybe it was the rugs that M brought to keep us warm.

We all talked before the movie and stuffed ourselves with chocolate panettone, it was that night I realised his love/obsession for anything sweet. I left him with D, hoping they'd get along, while M and I waited in line for food. We made a very cute, cultured group I thought.

M & I are a pretty cuddly pair, so during the movie we had the blanket over us and him (it's a pretty big blanket). We discovered he was ticklish and made sure to take advantage of it. Any excuse to get my hands on him, you know how it is. Whether it was obvious or not I don't know.

There was something there that night though. I can't say I know exactly what it was, but I could feel it. I wanted to lie on him, like couples do, rest my head on his chest & watch the movie from there.

I didn't.

He'd told me earlier, the first, maybe second night I saw him, that he's a softy when it comes to movies. So when the movie ended, (he was lying, I was sitting) I turned to him, put my hand on his chest & asked if he wanted a tissue, just to take the mickey. He held my arm & gave me a response I can't remember. All I could think about was the fact he was holding my arm. Clearly, I never forgot that.

The night didn't end there. The night never ended there. There was always a couch component. By the time I got him home, it was getting towards midnight & I was tired. He asked me in for a glass of water, to at least wake up a little bit before driving myself home.

We talked for ages, I can't remember what about, the nights blur & my memory's not so good. I do remember he mentioned something about his hair, it was long & it's quite thick, so of course I used that as an excuse to play with it. I knew I was pushing my luck but he didn't tell me to stop. He just tilted his head like a cat & went silent.

I wore my maxi dress that night, I remember he played with the hem while we were silent on the couch.

When it got to one30 or two in the morning I had to get going. This meant saying 'bye. How was I supposed to do that? Was it a handshake, was it a short hug & kiss on the cheek? I had no idea.

It was a hug. A long one. And one that fit perfectly. My arms around his body, my face in his neck, soaking him in. I ended up looking forward to those, the moments on the couch, the long hugs goodbye. It was the only time I was allowed to get close to him.

That was the first of many two in the morning nights. I loved every one.


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