Thank You, Olin, For Bringing Me Nicholas
There was that soldier I had written about before. Well, in early November, Olin came to San Francisco and we met, spending about an hour together. There were no real sparks between us, and although we had agreed to meet later that evening at the Lone Star Saloon, I had the feeling that he wasn’t going to show, and was proved right.
But, while I was waiting for Olin not to show up, sitting at the bar drinking a Bass Ale, my eyes chanced to look at the entry curtain as this beautiful young man walked into the place: around 5’10″, with chestnut hair, blue eyes, fair skin, and a sweet shy smile that made me get all melty inside. We met eyes for just a moment – a moment that seemed to last for an hour – and he ordered his beer and headed out to the patio. My loyalty to the idea that Olin might show up kept me from on the spot introducing myself to him.
That wasted hour was spent sitting on that stool, intuiting that Olin wasn’t going to show, but taking the effort to be ready, just in case he did. It would have been bad manners to do otherwise. When I finished my beer, I grabbed a second and walked out to the patio, hoping to get the chance to talk to that beautiful man. There he was standing in a circle of guys, including my friend, Evan the Taxi-driver/Esthetician. Such luck!
So, with that in, I greeted Evan, he greeted me, and the young man gave me a smile which I returned, walking down the deck steps to join the group. Introductions were made, and I learned his name is Nicholas. Over the course of the conversation, I learn that he’s 28, single, a pescetarian like me, and other interesting things. I’m growing intrigued by this man, and I can see that he’s interested in me, too. So, I start telling the story of the Long, Long RV and make him laugh a few times.
Finally, I use my mental powers to bring him closer to me, and we have another introduction, with last names this time, and I get closer to him and we kiss, just a simple kiss, but one so full of promise. I can feel his energy like a blue-purple snowflower, with a calm rhythm that draws me in.
But the bar was issuing its last call, and so we got in my rental car and drove to the top of Twin Peaks so we could talk more. And we did, exploring our lives and interests, and feeling that connection that we felt when we first met eyes. Sadly, he had to work early the next morning, so I took him back to his car down near the Lone Star, and we parted company, but not before we exchanged phone numbers.
That was seven weeks ago, and we have been seeing each other ever since. So, I have to thank the soldier for flaking on me, and letting me have the chance to meet Nicholas, my sweet little hobbit.
