A GIRL WALKS INTO A BAR 10-30-04
BY TRACY
After a busy first month of law school, I found myself obligation-free and finally visited my parents for a couple of days. I made plans to go out with Jamie, one of my best friends from home, and was excited to let loose. Letting loose meant having a handful of drinks, dressing up, and going out for a night on the town. The town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, that is. When deciding what to wear, I decided to be risque' and wear a tight, black long-sleeved shirt, a hot pink mini (and I mean mini) skirt, and knee-high black boots. I risked looking like walking sex, but I had long ago given up on the notion of meeting the man of my dreams in a bar.
Jamie picked me up around 11 and we set out for Bethlehem. My parents live about a half-hour away, but Jamie graduated from college there; thus familiar with the happening places. I strutted in ready for buzz and excitement, but soon came to the realization that this was just going to be another one of those nights. . .me and Jamie cruising the bar and changing locations every five minutes. . .having a good time with her, but wishing I were conversing with an interesting male stranger. After walking from one room to the next, I remember standing there, looking around and thinking, "It would be so nice if a guy politely approached us and struck up a conversation."
Jamie and I decided to walk upstairs to see if anything else was going on. This was also a ploy to get people to see us because the stairway was well-lit and located in the very middle of the main room. I had been to this bar once before, and we had a good time in the upstairs section, well, until I butted heads with a group of guys we met and I was getting feisty. Well, on this night the second level was deserted. I'm talking chairs stacked upside-down on tables deserted. The two of us stood in the empty space and talked for a few minutes, basically deciding what we wanted to do with the rest of our night. I did not particularly want to stay, but there was no other place in the area that would be any better. We made a plan to go back downstairs in the area near the bar and keep an eye out for Tele, a guy we met at SteelGarden over the summer. A few moments later, Tele walked in, saw us, and the three of us stood there having a bullshit conversation. I wanted to give them a moment alone and realized my drink was almost gone. After taking a large gulp, I decided to get another (hell, I wasn't driving), and dodged people to get to the bar area.
I was a wall of people away from reaching the bar when a stranger out of nowhere motioned to me and politely gave me his space at the bar. I ordered my drink, and he was waiting to receive his. He apologized to me about being in my way, but I was still in shock of that a random man at a bar would be so thoughtful! It was quite swift for him to use our preceding action to start up a conversation.
SECTION EXTREMELY CHEESY- CAUTION -MAY INDUCE VOMITING,
With that thought, I noticed a sparkle in his eye, an expression my father uses to express a person's remarkableness, inner goodness, and excitement. Before I knew it, I was striking up a conversation of my own by guessing his drink was an amaretto sour (only because it is my sister's choice drink). He then introduced himself as Colin and I as Tracy, and he motioned and asked if I'd like to have a seat at a nearby table. This was the kind of gentlemanly act I have seen in movies or read in books, but not the kind I ever experienced. Of course, there were many times in my life when men made romantic gestures, but it always seemed to strike me as awkward; never like it is in the movies. From the moment Colin made room for me at the bar, it was as if the reel starting turning. Everything felt normal, yet fantastical; like nothing I had ever experienced. That may be the corniest line I ever wrote, but you must realize that these are the facts!
The conversation was effortless, and he seemed almost too perfect. He was handsome, intelligent, made me laugh, and stirred a feeling in me that had been dormant for almost three years. Our connection was intense. We were on the same strange wavelength. We talked about our outlooks on life, politics, work, art and we agreed on everything. I knew every movie he referred to, and he picked up on my subtle innuendos, as well. I felt badly about abandoning Jamie, but I knew this was a most special circumstance and that she would understand. As cliche' as it sounds, the time went by unnoticed and Colin and I were so wrapped up in conversation we hardly noticed the lights turn on, beckoning people to leave. I was sad for the night to come to an end, but I knew this was just the beginning.
After asking for my number and typing it into his phone, the incredible man kissed me on the cheek and said good-bye. I was in the clouds. I quickly met up with Jamie and Tele and could not stop gloating about the awesome guy I met. . .in a bar! Usually I am ready to call it quits by 3 am, but on this occasion I was wide-awake and wanted to go to a diner to reflect upon the night. Unfortunately, Jamie's evening was not as exciting as mine, and she was ready to hit her bed. It didn't matter, I was still glowing.
The next day I excitedly saw I had missed a call, and when I did not recognize the number I just knew it was him. I called him back and made plans to have lunch the following day. I remember being relieved he called the next day, which meant he wasn't a game player. Well, it was a most unusual date. First of all, we set up a lunch date. Being a 22-year old student, I hadn't partaken in scheduling many lunch dates. I arrived to the restaurant first, and Colin walked in a couple minutes later. Afterwards Colin said "So what next?" and I was up for anything, even though it was cold and I had left my coat in my car. I knew I had to drive back to Philly and do work for the next day's classes, but he seemed to make me forget all that. We walked around the quaint town. After poking fun at the horrid items for sale in the Easton shops, we came across the Crayola Factory, looked at each other, and simultaneously thought, "Why the hell not?" I felt silly at first, but soon relaxed as I looked at him, digesting the fact that this guy embodied what I had been looking for.
Often people would ask me what it exactly was I was looking for in a man, and I could never give them a concrete answer. The only way for me to put the feeling into words was explaining I was searching for someone I melded with’Ķfeeling so comfortable with someone and getting along so well that you almost act as one entity. I had accepted the idea that now was the not the time to get serious with anyone, and that is probably why I met Colin when I did; when I was not looking for it.
Just another day in the life of an Art Juggernaut.
-Cojo