179 Reasons to Love Me, Part 2

(you will see this photo at least one more time)

In the moments after the Fruit of the Looms text, I dashed through our phone conversations, wondering what I had said to make him think it was that kinda party.

I quickly sent a text letting him know that he had gotten the wrong idea about me and what this date was about. I told him I was going to pass on the opportunity to meet him.

I wasn’t looking for a frivolous sexual romp. I was sure I had made that clear.

I told him, “if this was 1996, and you sent me that picture, it coulda been a different night…”

In reply, he sent me a 4 page text…apologizing profusely…pleading with me to "meet me in person...see that I am not the sum total of that picture."

I conferred with one of My Girlz. She said, ‘Guys are stupid. Go and meet him!’

I decided to go. I told myself, the downfall of whatever happens here will be this one Fruit of the Looms picture.

So we meet at the appointed time. I instantly wonder what he looks like in Fruit of the Looms…kidding…

We each order a drink. I find out that, in addition to his full time job, he teaches some form of martial arts and participates in martial arts tournaments.

When the attention turns to me he says that I look much better than any of the pictures in my profile. It feels like a slight slam.

The conversation stalled. I was shocked when he said. “Let’s go bowling.”

The bowling alley, where the magic began…

We bowled three games. I won the first one. He won the last two. As we were putting on our shoes to leave, he asked me to look at the score board; after three games our scores had averaged out to scores the same.

179.(Later, when I googled the number 179, the most interesting fact I came up with was " There were 179 I Love Lucy Shows aired on CBS.")

He said, ‘I think that means something. I am glad you changed your mind and came out to meet me.’

I said ‘Me too. I had a good time.’

He said, “I want to see you again…like before the end of the week…”

I said, “…sure…let’s work it out.”

A light snow had fallen…if this were a romantic comedy; this is where the sexually charged montage of me slipping and falling while Sexual Healing by Marvin Gaye would play…in real life; I slipped a few times, he slipped a few times, he caught me each time, and walked me to my car.

I went home feeling like Sandra Bullock AND Gabrielle Union…the Fruit of the Looms picture long forgotten…

(but I shall never forget this photo...)