Lunch with Rita was very nice. We met at a small cafe on Newbury Street. Rita apologized that she would be unable to stay very long since she was needed back at her shop. She hinted that perhaps we could go out dancing that night. We had a great time as we ate and talked. Everything was perfect except for one small thing. Although I found her attractive there was something missing. This time it wasn’t simply who she wasn’t. It was just that there was no spark between us. As I pondered this revelation Rita unrepentantly provide me with the answers I was seeking.
“Are you involved with someone?” She asked me suddenly.
“No.” I answered truthfully. “But …”
“You’re just getting over someone.” She finished for me.
“How did you know?”
“Story of my life.” Rita responded casually. “So what happened?”
“It’s complicated.” I replied with reluctance.
“Always is.” Rita said gently. “I’m hear to listen if you want.”
“Okay you asked for it.” I sighed. “First I need to explain that this is all very new to me.”
“What?” She choked.
“It’s true.” I explained. “Up until a couple of weeks ago I had a boyfriend.”
“Excuse me?” She choked again. “You’re joking.”
“No.” I admitted quietly.
“I have to be honest.” She began slowly. “Normally I like a challenge.”
“But not first timers.” I said.
“Watch out for the ones that are into that.” Rita warned me. “And the woman who hurt you?”
“Oh well her.” I sighed again. “I waited too long and now she is with someone else. Someone young and perky.”
“Ouch.” Rita groaned. “Then she is a fool. Stephanie I need to honest with you. Don’t take this the wrong way it has nothing to due with your lack of experience. I find you very attractive but there is no …”
“Chemistry.” I blurted out suddenly relieved. “I know I feel the same way.”
“Too bad.” Rita sighed. “We would have had great looking kids.” She teased as I choked on my water.
“I’m sorry.” I laughed. “But hey I survived my first date with a woman.” I added hopefully.
“Here! Here!” Rita cheered as she toasted me with her glass of water. “Why don’t we still go out dancing tonight? As friends.” She added. “I hope that you will consider me a new friend?”
“I would like that.” I responded. “I really don’t know many people here in Boston. Or the community for that matter.”
“Good it’s settled then.” She smiled back. “We’ll go out tonight and scope chicks. I can drive you home so you won’t need to worry about catching the train. “
“I would like that.” I smiled. “Last time I missed my train.”
“That must have cost a small fortune.” Rita grimaced. “Well as your new friend I will drive you home anytime you need it unless of course one of us has a better offer.” She winked at the last comment. “I can show the ropes so to speak. I think this is great. There aren’t that many women our age hanging out in the clubs. Most of them have settled down and are living in the suburbs.”
“Is that suppose to cheer me up?” I teased.
I thanked her again and we talked for a while longer until she needed to return to her shop. We made plans to meet at the Galaxy later. I decided to take in the city until it was time for us to meet. I even enjoyed going on the duck tour and browsing through the local shops. Later that night we met up as planned. I was definitely on a roll that week. I met another woman named Josie and made plans to meet her the following morning to go roller blading along the Charles. Rita met someone as well but really wasn’t interested. Rita drove me home refusing to take any money for gas. I dug out my roller blades and laid out suitable clothing for my date in the morning. Josie seemed nice enough but I felt deep down that we really weren’t going to hit it off. I went to bed knowing that I would need to get up in a few hours and drive into town. Allison had left for New York that morning so I had the use of her car. I felt guilty about taking her car to go on a date with another woman. But not enough to endure the hell of public transportation on the weekend and this was the least of my problems with Allison.
“I think that it is very important work.” Josie explained enthusiastically.
“I don’t understand.” I shrugged as I tried to urge my roller blades to speed up so I could gain some distance from Josie. “What do you have against Regis?”
“That game show is the dumbification of America.” Josie asserted.
“Dumbifiaction?” I questioned. “Is that a word?”
Josie just stared at me blankly. It would appear that Josie had ‘issues’ with the game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” I was not surprised at this point. It seemed that Josie had ‘issues’ with just about everything. Let’s see there were her abandonment issues, her issues with her parents, she had issues with the government, the environment, Starbucks, and everything under the sun including M&M’s. I was having a really problem with that one. In the twenty minutes since I met up with her and began our skate along the bike path that ran along the Charles River, Josie had explained in painful detail her ‘issues’. If that wasn’t enough to ruin my morning it seemed that she also belonged to every self-help group imaginable. Self-groups are admittedly important for the people who needed them. But Josie seemed to be a professional joiner.
“But couldn’t you simply just not watch the show?” I argued. “I know I signed a petition when I heard that Dr. Laura was going to be aired here. But isn’t the best way to stop a television show simply by not watching it. Don’t they rely on ratings? Isn’t that what we kept telling all of those uptight family value groups about Ellen? If you don’t like it don’t watch.”
“Oh I don’t own a television.” Josie explained. “I have had a major issue with it since I came to the realization The Facts Of Life was an excuse to exploit Tootie.”
“So how many people are in this Stop Regis Campaign?” I regrettable asked.
“Right now there is just Sharla and I.” Josie beamed mistaking my question for interest. “We met in our WATI support group.”
“WATI?” I asked before I could stop myself.
“Women Against The Internet.” She proclaimed proudly. “You do realize that this whole internet scam is just one more way that big brother can track us.” She cautioned me. “You could meet with us if you like. We discuss the whole issue on line every Wednesday night. WATI has a great chat room set up.”
“Chat room?” I spun around on my skates in shock. Unfortunately I should have paid more attention to my actions. I tripped over something and found myself lying on the bike path in agony.
After a short debate I allowed myself to be taken across the street to MGH (Massachusetts General Hospital). The emergency room was swamped. I gave the triage nurse all of my information while Josie remained glued to my side. I had to get rid of her. We were instructed to wait and I was given an ice pack for my knee. Josie fussed and fumed about the delay. I tried to reason with her as I pointed out that there were people in greater need of medical attention than I was. When she announced as loudly as she could that we were being made to wait because we were lesbians I wanted to climb under my chair. I wanted Josie to just go away. Gay, straight or indifferent Josie was just a really bad date. Finally we were shown to an exam room. I looked at the cotton Johnny. “Would you like me to help you with that” Josie offered. I simply shook my head sharply in refusal there was no way I was taking my clothes off in front of this woman. “I’m fine Josie. In fact why don’t you get going? I’m sure that you have a meeting.” I offered hoping she would take the hint and just go.