Spaghetti Bolognese and two dates

Written for Pancreatic Cancer UK, to fundraise and help raise awareness of this awful illness after losing my dad in November 2020.

Today is Remembrance Sunday, last year it was the 8th November the day we lost my dad.  Possibly when I should have been silent, I was holding his hand and reading him my Western Gunslinger story that I wrote for the the ‘Writers Unite Western Anthology’.  I will not know in this life what he thought of it, and if you have read it, you will understand there were parts I had to skip over.  He groaned as I finished it. so I’m assuming he heard it and I’m hoping he didn’t mind me reading it to him.  November is always going to be a difficult month and I will never forget this terrible day.

Written from Writers Unite! photo prompt

Spaghetti

What is it about pasta?  So much of us love it, its filling and can be added to so many meals.  My brother is picky with his food, but his favourite meal is Spaghetti Bolognese.  The protein, carbohydrate and tomato mixture which for many of us ends smeared over our faces.

Sitting here in a pasta restaurant waiting for a man I had never met before.  Internet dating, the question is, how many free dinners could I achieve before I meet someone I really like?  Till I meet the one.  Looking at the menu I have already decided against Spaghetti Bolognese, its too messy.

Sitting staring at my phone, wondering if I look alright, I see a man walking towards me.  After weeks of meals, I started planning to climb out of the bathroom window.  I had given up on Mollie and her promise to phone me if I texted ‘help’ a few dates ago.

Henry did not look like his profile picture.  He was maybe a few years older than his photo, but it was really him. Meeting complete strangers, I never know what to expect, and I’ve met too many internet idiots.

The date

As he smiles at me and nods, he sits down.  I feel my stomach lurch, well he seemed nice.  Waiting to see what he would order; I knew I was going to have the pasta and sauce, not spaghetti.  As he ordered a bottle of wine, I told myself that I need to relax.   I was shaking as he was doing his best to have a good evening with me.  Tongue tied I sensed that he wanted to climb out of the window this time.  Too many meals and too many dates, I think its time to give up.

Finishing our meal, I try and be friendly, but this is not going anywhere. Another failed date but another free dinner.  Saying goodbye, I know I will never see him again.   Getting into my car, I just want to get home.  Henry had already gone as I try to start the engine.  As the car shuddered, this day had just got worse.  Breaking down is not good but breaking down at gone eleven at night is worse.

Phoning the breakdown service, I think again about my rotten love life. The ‘one’ had to be out there somewhere.  Why could others find love online but not me?  An hour later I saw the headlights of a large lorry.  ‘Gerrys recovery service’ written on the side. Who the heck is Gerry?  I smiled as I thought of the cartoon with ‘Tom and Jerry’.  Approaching through the darkness was a tall man, winding my window down, I could see he wasn’t much older than me.

Josh

“Hello, I’m Josh, sorry it took me so long to get here.” Suddenly feeling brave I said,

“Well, you are here now” and smiled, my stomach was churning, he really was nice looking, but probably married.

“Can you just open the bonnet, and I will have a look.”  Pulling the lever, I now sat and waited.

“Okay the issue is more serious, and I will have to either take your car to the nearest garage or take you home.”  My heart sank, as I thought about work tomorrow.

“Well, it’s a bit late for the garage and I need to get home, so please take me home.”

“I’m going to tow your car, how about you get up in the cab.”  Maybe this evening was getting better.

Handsome Stranger

Sat next to another stranger, Josh was chatty and making jokes.  I was pleased now that I had broken down as this man seemed nice and more my type.  No ring on his finger was a good start.  Through the thirty-minute journey we discussed his evening, the breakdowns he had attended and the cold weather.  As we arrived home, he finally asked about my evening.   Telling him about my dating disasters he started to laugh.  I felt like I had known him longer than the short hour that I had.  This had to mean something.  As I told him about climbing out of the restaurant window, he asked me a question which I was not expecting.

“Do you like Spaghetti Bolognese?”

“Yes, but not in public and certainly not on a date, it’s too messy.”

Josh smiled kindly,

“So, when I take you out tomorrow, I won’t take you to the Italian.”

Now becoming nervous, had this handsome man just asked me out?

“Well, you can, but you are picking me up, and preferably not in Gerry’s breakdown van.”

“I have your mobile number right here, how about I pick you up at 8.00? Is that okay?”

“I will see you then but no climbing out of bathroom windows,” I laughed.

“Who, says we are going to a restaurant?  It will be a surprise.”

Home

Smiling I now opened his van door and watched as he detached my car from the tow.

“Tomorrow, phone ‘Teds Garage’ and mention me.  Ted will send someone to tow your car to his garage.  He should be able to fix it.  I will see you tomorrow evening.”

 

Watching him leave, I smiled to myself, too many disastrous dates and I had now met Josh. Is he the one?  I will just have to wait and see.

 

Here is my fundraising page  if you would like to donate.  Any size donation is appreciated.

Written for A story a day for Pancreatic Cancer UK