The server arrived, explained the evening’s specials and asked if they would like drinks. Chris asked, “Shall I order the wine for us?”
Judy smiled. “I think I would like some Champagne. I feel like celebrating.”
Chris raised his eyebrows. “And what are we celebrating?”
“I’ll get to that. Go ahead and order.”
Chris ordered Champagne and the appetizer special. They both started reading the menu. “Would you like me to order for both of us?” he asked. “I hear the prime rib is to die for.”
“Make mine petit. I probably won’t be able to finish it.”
Judy nervously fiddled with her napkin while Chris busied himself with rearranging the cutlery. The server returned with their Champagne and took their orders.
Chris raised his glass. “Here’s to us then.” They clicked glasses. “Now what are we celebrating?”
Judy smiled and touched her hair, tucking an imagery strand behind her ear. “We’re celebrating us. Your toast was spot on. This’s our third date. You know what they say.”
Chris shook his head. “No, what do they say?”
Judy lowered her voice and leaned forward. “They say if you like someone you should sleep with them by the third date. I want to sleep with you.”
Chris sat up straighter. “Sleep?”
Judy waved her hand at him. “Don’t tease. You know what I mean.”
Chris leaned back in his chair. “Oh, wow. I didn’t see that coming. I mean, yes, I thought about it, but… I didn’t want to push it. Yes, I really like you too, and I’d like that... I mean raising our relationship to the next level.”
Judy chuckled. “Well, we’re not exactly like a couple of twenty-year olds who can just jump into the sack anytime. Things changes as we get older. I think we should discuss the logistics.” She paused as the waiter brought their appetizer.
Chris waited until the waiter was out of hearing range. “Oh… logistics.” Chris looked around the dining room. “You mean right here? Now?”
Judy laughed. “No one can hear us.” She moved to the seat next to Chris. She placed her hand on top of his hand and lowered her voice. “I’ve given this a lot of thought, and I think we should do it tonight after diner. I’d like you sleep over at my place. It would be easier for me. I’ve all my meds, make up and clothes there. I’ll feel more comfortable there.”
Chris nodded in agreement. “Yes, of course. That’s fine with me. If fact, for breakfast I’ll make my famous pancakes. We’ll have breakfast in bed.”
Judy chuckled. “I haven’t had breakfast in bed in years. That sounds promising, but I’m a diabetic. Pancakes raise my blood sugar.”
“Okay. Then I’ll make an omelet with bacon and toast.”
Judy shook her head. “Skip the bacon. If I eat the prime rib, that’ll be enough red meat for me to last a week.”
“An omelet with toast it is.” He raised his glass. “Here’s to a great night and breakfast in bed.” They clicked glasses again. “We’ll drive over to my place after this to pick up my meds and clothes. Then we’ll stop to buy eggs and bread.”
“Do you have condoms?”
Chris sat back in his chair. “Well, no… I guess we’ll have to buy some.”
Judy smiled. “No, that’s okay. I have some.”
Chris raised one eyebrow this time. “You do?”
Judy cocked her head to one side. “We agreed not to mention our previous relationships, remember? Yes, I have condoms. I like to be prepared. You said you had a heart condition. Has your doctor cleared you for sex?”
Chris smiled. “Oh, yeah, my doctor cleared me after my heart attack as long as I don't raise my pulse past 110. In fact, he gave me Viagra.”
Judy leaned forward again. “Did you bring some?”
“I’ll take a pill when we get to my place. How about you? Is your doctor okay with this?”
“Well, I didn’t specially ask her about tonight, but yeah, I’m okay as long as I take my angina medication." Judy paused for a moment and lowered her eyes. Then she said, “I’ve a problem with dryness, but she gave me a cream for that.”
The server arrived with their prime rib. Chris took a bite. “Mmmmm. That’s good. While we’re talking about medical condition, I should tell you that I have sleep apnea. I’ll have to bring my breathing machine.”
Judy laughed nervously. “Then I guess I should tell you I snore. If it bothers you, just wake me and tell me to turn on my side.”
“It won’t bother me. Once I remove my hearing aids, I won’t hear a thing.”
Judy laughed. “We seem so compatible, don’t we? Chris, I don’t know what your expectations are, but I have arthritis. I’m not as flexible as I once was. I can’t do some things.”
“Judy, my expectations for our date tonight were to have a good meal with a beautiful woman and maybe go out for some ice cream afterwards. Besides, I have a bad back.” Chris instinctively put his hand on his back. “We won’t be doing anything too strenuous. In fact, I would prefer if you were on top.”
“Oh, I prefer the top. Thank you.”
As they continued to eat, Chris spoke up. “I should warn you that sometimes one of my ex-wives calls me.”
“One? How many ex-wives do you have?” Chris raised one eyebrow, and Judy backed down. “Sorry. It just slipped out. Why does she call?”
Chris sighed. “To answer your question, I’ve two ex-wives, but only the first one feels the need to call me at odd hours. She’s insecure. My second ex-wife hates my guts and never calls.”
Judy sat still for a moment and stopped smiling. She gazed into his eyes and then sighed.
Chris put down his fork. “What is it? What are you thinking?”
Judy shook her head. “Nothing really.”
“Tell me what you’re thinking. It’s okay. We’re in this together. Are you having second thoughts?”
Judy nodded her head. “Yeah, I guess. I didn’t realize sleeping together at our age required so much logistics.”
Chris smiled and placed his hand over Judy’s hand. “What do you say we go out for ice cream after diner, and then call it a night? I can come over tomorrow and make omelets.”
Judy laughed nervously and patted his hand. “That sounds like a good plan.”
THE END