I hate that my father doesn’t trust me, doesn’t think I’m enough of an adult to decide for myself who I can and can’t date. I screwed up by getting involved with one of his players in college, but I was nineteen and naïve. I’m much less naïve now. Besides, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
If Broderick says no, I’m no worse off than I was before I asked.
If he says yes and turns out to be a creep or something, I’m also no worse off than before.
But if he says yes and is as nice as he is online—which I figure is a pipe dream—maybe I’ll have a new friend. God knows, I can use one.
My father’s comment about the fact that I don’t have any hurt. Partly because he’s right and partly because I do have friends—just not here in Atlanta. It’s not my fault we moved around several times growing up. And then I left Manhattan after I got my bachelor’s degree, so there went my college friends.
Of course, I’ve never had what other people would call a bestie. Your ride or die girlfriend. Someone who always has your back. Someone you can talk to about anything, giggle with on the phone… I don’t know why I never made those kinds of girlfriends. I had to change schools after Dad met Lourdes. Then I went away to college. And now I’m here. I’ve read that you make your best friends for life by college, and if that’s true, I’m screwed.
My phone buzzes with a notification and I glance down nervously.
Broderick answered.
So, this is it.
I say a mental prayer and then open the app.
BRODERICK: I thought we wanted to be cautious? Take things slow?
JEANNIE: I’ve had a shitty day and I’m about done with cautious. If you want to exchange pictures first, we can do that, but I’m really leaning into the surprise aspect of it. If we’re not physically attracted to each other, so be it. But what can it hurt to meet? We’re both adults and we can meet somewhere public, so safety won’t be an issue.
I have no idea where this boldness is coming from but I’m determined to get out of the funk I’m suddenly in.
BRODERICK: I haven’t had a great day either, so I get where you’re coming from. If you want to meet up, completely blind, so to speak, I’m game. But we have to be realistic. There’s a 50/50 chance we may not be physically attracted to each other. Or one of us is and the other isn’t, which means someone’s feelings are going to get hurt.
JEANNIE: I’m no supermodel, but I’m not ugly. I’m curvy but not overweight. I have light brown hair and hazel eyes. You’re going to have to take my word for it.
BRODERICK: Okay, that’s fair. I’m five eleven, with blond hair and blue eyes. Where do you want to meet?
JEANNIE: There’s a farmers’ market in Peachtree Heights. I’ll be there on Sunday. There’s a booth called Smitty’s Chocolates that sells the most magnificent peanut butter fudge I’ve ever tasted. I’ll meet you there.
BRODERICK: What time?
JEANNIE: Eleven?
BRODERICK: Okay. What will you be wearing? Brown hair and hazel eyes could be anyone…
JEANNIE: Black shorts, gray Nirvana T-shirt. What about you?
BRODERICK: I’m going to have to write this down or something because I never plan what I’m going to wear! LOL How about gray shorts and a white Arizona Cardinals T-shirt?
JEANNIE: I’ll see you Sunday.
BRODERICK: See you then.
JEANNIE: If you change your mind, please just message me. I don’t want to stand there for an hour like a dumbass.
BRODERICK: I would never do that. I’ll be there.
JEANNIE: Looking forward to it.
BRODERICK: I’ll message you later, okay? I’m about to drive.
JEANNIE: Okay. Be safe.
BRODERICK: Will do.
