Michelle was really excited to hear Ian play. She knew that staying out late on a Saturday would have an impact on her functionality Sunday morning, but this particular weekend she was only doing supporting duties during the church service so she figured she could handle it.
Michelle was excited for another reason. Her first date with Ian had been over lunch and ended with a hug. She expected this date would end with a kiss. Michelle put a lot of stock in the first kiss. She believed it set the tone for the whole relationship. Michelle thought Ian was clever, dashingly handsome, and gave off just a hint of danger. Those ingredients led her to believe he would be an excellent kisser.
Ian, being a gentleman, picked Michelle up at her apartment. Which was slightly inconvenient because the band had to arrive at the bar several hours before their set to do a sound check. Michelle didn’t mind, though. She thought the whole process was fascinating. And it gave her and Ian time to chat as the bar slowly filled up with customers.
It also gave Michelle time to meet the rest of the band. She was painfully aware that they were sizing her up, but at least they were all polite about it. All, that is, except Ian’s roommate Rico, the band’s drummer, who nudged Ian and said “nice!” upon being introduced. Still, it could have been worse.
A little after 9:30 p.m. the band took the stage. They played a hot, Dixieland style of jazz. Michelle enjoyed the music a lot, though as the evening progressed she had to work hard not to yawn. She was not used to such late nights. Every few minutes Ian would steal a look in her direction and give her a little smile or wink. That would perk Michelle right up and turn her thoughts again to the impending first kiss.
When the band finally finished, Michelle waited patiently as they put away their instruments, hoping her fatigue wasn’t visible on her face. Ian eventually joined her and asked what she thought of the music. She waxed suitably rhapsodic and he was suitably modest in response.
Then they fell quiet. Ian took her hand. This was it, Michelle realized. The first kiss. She would have preferred it didn’t happen in a bar, but sometimes a girl’s got to be flexible. Ian leaned in…
And then Rico threw his arms around both of them. “Dude!” he yelled. “We were awesome tonight. Didn’t you think so, Ian’s girl?”
“Michelle,” Ian reminded him with obvious annoyance. It was clear Rico was drunk. Ian would later explain that was an occupational hazard when the bar provides the band with free drinks in lieu of pay.
“The show was fantastic,” Michelle said.
“I knew I liked you,” Rico slurred. “Ian has good taste.”
“Excuse me a moment,” Ian said and guided Rico away.
Michelle composed herself. She wasn’t going to let the interruption spoil the upcoming kiss.
Ian returned. “Here’s the thing,” he said. “Rico’s too drunk to drive and the other guys have already left. Can we swing by our place so I can drop him off and then I’ll take you home?”
“Sure,” Michelle said. She was a little annoyed, but at least this way the first kiss would be on her doorstep. The traditional aspect of the idea appealed to her.
However, on the way to Ian and Rico’s apartment Rico fell asleep. The upside was that they didn’t have to endure his babbling during the drive. The downside was they couldn’t fully rouse him when they got to the apartment and had to carry him in, one of Rico’s arms draped over each of their shoulders.
“Wait here and I’ll get him into bed,” Ian said when they reached the living room.
Michelle had a seat on the couch. The apartment was surprisingly clean and tastefully decorated considering two guys in their mid-20’s lived there. Michelle particularly admired the framed posters of classic jazz performances that lined the walls. She decided this wouldn’t be too bad a location for a first kiss either.
Ian returned after a few minutes. “Sorry about that,” he said. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“Some water, thanks.”
Ian got two glasses of water and sat down beside her. “Rico’s really not a bad guy most of the time.”
“Forget about it,” Michelle replied.
“Thanks for being cool,” Ian said and slipped his arm around her shoulders. She settled against him and let her eyes close, just enjoying his proximity and the sense that she might, indeed, be cool.
The next thing she knew, Ian was shaking her awake. “Mm,” she said groggily, “I must have fallen asleep.”
“So did I,” he told her. “It’s 10 a.m.”
Michelle sat bolt upright. She realized sunlight was streaming in through the windows. “I have to go home! I have to be at church at 10:30.”
“You’ll never make it. I’ll drive you straight there.”
She looked down at her spaghetti strap silk blouse. “I can’t wear this to church!” she exclaimed. “I’m a pastor!”
“Let me see what I can do,” he said and went into his room. Michelle found the bathroom and quickly cleaned herself up. She scrubbed the smeared make-up from her face and pulled her hair back in a ponytail. When she came out, Ian was waiting with a plain blue sweater.
“It’ll be big on you,” he said.
“It’ll work,” she replied and slid it on.
They raced to the church and arrived just after 10:20. Michelle breathed a sigh of relief. “Made it.”
“I’m really sorry,” Ian said. Michelle glanced over. He looked about as miserable as he possibly could.
“It’s as much my fault as yours,” she reassured him.
“Really?”
“Really.” She patted his hand. He closed his fingers around hers.
“Well, you still have eight minutes to kill,” he noted. Michelle smiled. Ian leaned over and kissed her.
It was better than she hoped. She didn’t even notice the seatbelt cutting into her shoulder as she pressed toward him.
“So can I see you again?” he asked.
“Uh huh,” she mumbled, feeling a little lightheaded.
“You better get inside.”
“Uh huh.” Her wits seemed to have abandoned her. He was a really good kisser.
She managed to get out of the car.
And that’s when she noticed seventy year-old Henrietta Miggins standing on the sidewalk, arms crossed, staring directly at her with a disapproving frown. As soon as their eyes met Henrietta turned and stalked inside the church.
“That isn’t good, is it?” Ian asked.
“Uh-uh,” she replied.
Michelle’s euphoria was quickly dissipating.
To be continued…
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