Sam’s Journal of Survival

First Date Invite from Paul

031726 This journal is fiction. The voice you’re reading is a character, not the author.

Tuesday Evening - Invite and first date

Paul called tonight, right around eight like he usually does.

We talked for a while about the ordinary things first. Work, his sisters, a story about one of his nephews that made me laugh. Those conversations have started to feel comfortable and familiar, like something I can settle into at the end of the day.

Then he said he had something he wanted to ask me.

He wondered if Saturday would be a good day for our first real date.

I surprised myself.

Before my cautious side had time to step in, I said yes. Not only yes, but that I was looking forward to it. I actually heard the excitement in my own voice when I answered him.

Paul sounded pleased.

Then he told me what he had planned. We are going hiking somewhere outside the city, and afterward we are having a picnic supper. He said I should dress comfortably, nothing fancy, and that he will pick me up at one o’clock in the afternoon.

One o’clock.

When he said that, I laughed and told him that sounded like an all day date. He laughed too and said he thought that might give us plenty of time to enjoy the afternoon without feeling rushed.

After we hung up, I sat here for a while thinking about it.

I will admit something honestly in these pages. I am a little nervous. Not the heavy kind of fear that used to sit in my chest, but a quiet flutter of uncertainty. It has been a very long time since I went on something that could truly be called a date.

But there is something else mixed in with the nerves.

Excitement.

I trust Paul. That realization still surprises me sometimes, but it is true. Even if I get nervous or have a moment where I feel unsure, I believe he will handle it with patience. He has been careful with my comfort every step of the way.

And if I move slowly, I don’t think that will scare him away.

After all, I keep reminding myself of one very important detail.

I was the one who kissed him first.