The Romantic Misadventures of a Modern Woman (6 page)

Nita could only describe her mood over the next few days as mildly depressed. Although she was sure Elle was not angry with her, she felt as though they had a fierce argument. She had begun to feel wonderful about her new friendship with Gina and Elle, but that was compromised by Elle's desire for much more than a friendship, coupled with the fact that she asked Nita not to talk about it with anyone, especially with Gina. She felt like the friends, whom she was adding to her life, were now being subtracted. Regardless of the reason, it still made her feel sad.

"How is it possible for a lesbian to be interested in a woman who is straight? Does that say something about my sexuality?" Nita wondered. "The protesters on TV say that being gay is the way they're born, and that no one can change that, yet, Elle practically invited me into homosexual relationship with her, and I have never been gay and have no plans to be. For a time, she believed it was possible that I might accept her invitation. So, some must think that straight people can become gay, just not the other way around. Isn't that a double-standard? I never see anyone debating that on TV."

Deciding that she could not truly be friends with either of the Baggins cousins, she concluded, "If Elle ever opened her closet door to Gina, and she found out that I knew about Elle being gay before she did, that would complicate things worse than it would for her to learn Elle wanted to date me." Thinking it through, she decided that she might keep Gina as an acquaintance, without being rude, and not let the friendship grow any further.

She wondered why she never heard anyone talk about the very situation she found herself in. At least she, herself, hadn't heard those kinds of conversations. She wanted to be Elle's friend and couldn't imagine anything else. She felt foolish because she didn't understand where Elle was coming from, before she explained herself. Not being able to figure out the answers for herself weighed very heavily on her.

Nita picked up the phone and dialed a number she had written on her conference notebook. The women's group leader answered, "Hello. This is Amy."

"Hi, Amy. My name is Nita. I was at the singles' conference and I missed the prayer during the afternoon session. Would it be possible to make an appointment to meet with you? I have been feeling a bit depressed about something, and I am having trouble sorting it all out."

The Bookstore Bistro & Bar had become a popular lunch spot on the edge of the corporate district. Cubicle dwellers filled the restaurant at lunchtime during the weekdays. Nathaniel and Nita planned to meet in the park across the street then go inside for a meal. Each only had an hour for lunch, but it was much more than what they had when they met for less than two minutes, that first night at the speed-dating event.

Nita arrived early and found the prearranged spot. The leaf blowers had just removed the fallen leaves from around the benches and cleared pathways for visitors. Nita found a bench in the shade and sat down, but it wasn't long before her date arrived. 

Nathaniel was dressed in a buttoned-down shirt, dark blue tie and beige pull-over sweater. His smooth, shiny, brown, ankle boots were the foundation beneath his perfectly creased slacks. She noticed his man-bag and decided she would ignore it, for now. As he approached Nita, the bright noon sunshine made his dark hair shine. He joined her in the shade and removed his sunglasses.

"Hi, Nita. I am very happy to see you again."

"Hi, Nathaniel. I have been looking forward to our lunch!"

"Well, then... let's go eat."

The two found their way to the Bistro. As they walked, he lagged slightly behind. He reached into his bag and pulled out a long narrow box in such a way that Nita didn't see.

"This is for you!" Nathaniel smiled and held out the box as they neared the door of the restaurant.

Nita turned around and looked at the box. "Oh, thank you!"
Nathaniel opened the door for Nita and the two went inside.

Inside the box, she found a small bouquet of various flowers: a daisy, a violet, an orchid, a carnation, and a rose. She admired the unusual combination as the host greeted them and showed them to their table. She laid it down between their water glasses. 

"What inspired this beautiful collection of flowers?" Nita asked, curiously.

Nathaniel studied the bouquet Nita made into a centerpiece, "Oh, well, I just couldn't decide. Since we're just getting to know each other, I couldn't presume to know your favorite flower, so, I chose a few popular flowers, hoping you would like, at least, one of them."

"I love them all!" Nita exclaimed.

They were seated next to a picture window that overlooked the courtyard of the adjoining office building. The landscape was still very green for late autumn. A few lone working people sat at picnic tables or walked around talking on their cell phones. Nathaniel's phone began to ring. He reached in his bag and pulled it out. "I am so sorry, I meant to silence this before I came to meet you." One swipe of his finger and the deed was done. He slipped it back in his bag as whoever was calling got to leave a message after the beep. Nita quickly followed his example with her own phone, before it had a chance to ring.

"What shall we have for lunch today?" Nita picked up her menu and started to read.

"What is your favorite food?" Nathaniel asked.

"Believe it or not, I love salads. But, my favorite meal resembles Thanksgiving Dinner... you know, turkey, stuffing, macaroni and cheese and sweet potato pie. It's a once a year deal, but I love it. How about you?"

"I can't say I am proud to tell you this, but I love stadium fare. Give me a big ole hot dog on a bun with mustard. Throw in a large beer and I'm happy all day long, even if my team doesn't win."

Nita laughed at his funny expression. He seemed so at ease; he wasn't as nervous as before.

The bistro had a reputation for serving guests quickly so they could enjoy their food without feeling rushed. By the time they finished eating, they'd still have enough time to get back to their offices and not be late.

The two talked over soup and salad.

"So, where do you eat your hot dogs and beer?" Nita resumed the conversation.

"I like most sports and usually route for the home team, except when it comes to college games. I used to play basketball for my college team. We made the sweet-sixteen when I was a senior. What sports do you like?"

"I like baseball and soccer, but I rarely go to games."

The pair enjoyed their conversation as they finished their meal. They talked about current events, hobbies, music and fitness. When it was time to go, the sky had become cloudy and dark.

"Well, Nita, I had a good time with you today. Do you think we can meet again soon, maybe for dinner?"

"Most definitely, Nathaniel. I look forward to it."

Nita couldn't remember feeling this comfortable with a man since she was with Henry. All her memories of time with him became tainted by his behavior that last night. She didn't know if anything momentous would happen between her and Nathaniel, but they seemed to be off to a great start. She was willing to see what might develop.

As they left the restaurant, the dark skies opened and rain began to fall. Nita had not anticipated the change in weather. Nathaniel pulled her beneath the bistro awning and stood between her and the falling drops.

"I'd like to make sure you get back safe and dry." he said as he opened his man-bag and pulled out his phone and an umbrella. He called his office and told them, "I am going to be a few minutes late getting back from lunch. I am helping a friend who's stranded in the rain." As he returned his phone to the bag, Nita smiled with surprise as she looked in and noticed the familiar spine of a particular dating book by Dr. Horkern.

The waiting area at the Community Church Counseling Center was almost always empty. Appointments were scheduled so that no more than one person occupied the waiting space at one time, even when the counselors were fully booked. The frosted glass created a confidential environment that prevented passersby from seeing visitors from the outside as they waited to talk about their problems.

Nita waited only a minute or two before Amy called her name. Her cozy counseling room had many choices for sitting, including an overstuffed chair and a small sofa. Amy even had a bean-bag chair in the corner that she would pull out for anyone was interested. Amy's credentials were framed on the wall accompanied by many pieces of framed artwork.

Amy sat down, in what, clearly, was her chair. "What brings you to see me today, Nita.?"

"Well, I was at the single's conference and you invited us for prayer and I wasn't able to come that day, so I am coming now."

Without mentioning Elle, Nita explained what happened and described the thoughts that had been worrying her. She described the depression she felt at the loss of two potential friends.

Amy listened carefully and waited until she stopped talking. "Nita, what would you do if a man, whom you thought wasn't right for you, wanted to date you and make you his girlfriend?"

Nita remembered Wes from the mixer. "The last guy was joking too much and I talked to him about it. When he wouldn't get serious, I said that I didn't want to see him anymore."

"So, when someone is interested in you, and you're not interested in them, you just tell them?"

"Yes."

"So, how is that different when it's a woman who is interested in you?" Amy asked in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Oh... that makes sense!" Nita was surprised at how simple Amy's question was. It led her to an answer, without her having to say anything.

Amy took a different angle. "Now, if you had to choose a man as a life partner, what kind of man would you choose?"

"Actually, I have been working on describing kind of man I think I would like to marry, but, I don't think I'm done yet." Nita fumbled through her notebook.

"That's OK, we're going somewhere with this. Can you describe the kind of woman you would choose to be your life partner?"

"Of course not, you and I already talked about that. I only want women as my friends, not for sex."

"I remember you said that." Amy shifted her position in her chair. "So, if your family doesn't arrange your marriage, then you get to pick who you want to love, right?"

Nita nodded.

"And if someone forced you into a relationship that involves sex, that would be illegal, wouldn't it?"

"You mean, rape?" Nita whispered.

"
Mmm-hmm. There are people in this world who choose to have sex with members of the opposite sex. There are people who choose the same sex or either sex. Some choose to have sex alone and others not at all. Whether heterosexual, homosexual, asexual or bisexual, people choose the specific who, where and when they will have sex. That's a lot of choices."

Nita was blown away. She paused to think for a moment, then spoke. "To sum up, a woman chose me, and wanted me to choose her, but women aren't among my options. Wes chose me, but I didn't chose him, although initially, I did. Nathaniel and I chose each other, and so far, so good!"

"Yes, Nita. You know who you are and you are figuring out exactly what you want. You've been doing the work to narrow the field. Keep up the good work!"

Time was up. Nita stepped out of the counseling center and walked by the multi-purpose room, which had been decorated for Thanksgiving. The food pantry had overflowed with donations for the needy and was being organized for volunteers to deliver. Nita signed up as a volunteer and sent a quick text to Hannah to see if she wanted to join her.

As she turned to leave, she heard the footsteps of someone walking in the hall. They were coming from the Counseling Center, which was the busiest part of the building at that time of day. As she headed for the exit, she looked up and recognized Elle as she stepped outside onto the sidewalk, unaware that Nita was less than twenty feet behind her.

Hannah slammed the door on the last vehicle in a row of vans and S.U.V.s. and headed inside the church. Her Empire Strikes Back sweatshirt was dusty from the Thanksgiving baskets she had helped load. Although most people were wearing coats, hats and scaves on the seasonable autumn day, the hard work kept her from feeling any cold.

The record high number of baskets, which were actually boxes, had been assembled by food pantry volunteers. They were packed and ready to be delivered to needy recipients along the carefully planned routes. After a lunch break, hosted by the church for the volunteers, the caravan was scheduled to depart, with teams of two travelling together. Nita rode along with Hannah in one of the church’s vans.

“I’ve got some good news and bad news.” Hannah announced. “Which do you want first?”
“I guess you can start with the good news.” Nita was buying time to brace herself for what Hannah might have to say.
“OK. KISS-LOVE 91 called Gina to thank her after her heroic actions at the mixer. They asked if they could do something for her. She told them about our group date and they were more than happy to give her free tickets for all of us to attend the 'Love-Songs Live Evening of Entertainment' at Karberry Hall!” Hannah’s voice seemed surprised as she spoke, even though she already knew about the free tickets.

“That’s a wonderful blessing. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic evening. What’s the bad news?”
“Elle backed out.” Hannah sounded disappointed. “She didn’t say why, but she assured me that she would not be changing her mind.”
“Oh.” Nita thought it best to keep her words to a minimum.
“Gina told me that Elle had already canceled with the man she was going to bring with her, so I guess we will be a party of six…”

“Turn left in one quarter mile.” The GPS device interrupted their conversation to guide them to their first delivery.
“So much has gone into planning this. I will miss Elle, but we are still going to have a great time”, she said, sounding optimistic.
Nita kept her eyes on the list of deliveries. “That’s too bad about Elle, but it is really great about the free tickets from KISS-LOVE 91!"

Nita told Hannah about Mrs. Foster and her garden. She shared some of what she was learning in her counseling sessions with Amy. Their conversation seemed to make the deliveries go faster and feel less like work. The women enjoyed bringing smiles to the faces of the people who received the baskets at each home they visited. Doing good in the community was so much more fun when done with a friend.