Comfort

He spoke good-humoredly into the phone. “Come on, now… you know I’m right. It’s time. All kidding aside. It’s time to meet.”

Finally he had suggested in all seriousness that they at last meet at a quaint Italian restaurant in the Village that he was partial to. “It’s right off St. Mark’s Place. It’s just your basic red and white tablecloth, with Chianti-bottles-for-candleholders type of place,” he said in an amused tone.

She groaned. “You mean it’s a glorified pizza parlor with sauce stains on the walls!” she said teasingly. “Actually, I think I’ve passed it by it numerous times in the past and the menu looks good. I don’t live too far from it, and I do a quite bit of shopping in that neighborhood.

There was a pregnant pause before she spoke again. “But, yes, you’re right. It’s time.”

*****

In true “new millenium” fashion, their friendship had developed over a modem and a phone line, chatting via an online service and then onto the more traditional telephone for several months. To think it all began because they belonged to the same message board. It was a New York-based online community where people traded information on anything and everything related to the Big Apple. Somehow between the inquiries of where to buy bootleg tapes of favorite local artists, what liquor stores had the best price on that great California Merlot from ’96 by the case, to recommending a good vegetarian restaurant, a kindred bond developed between this man and woman.

It never ceased to amaze either of them how compatible they were or how at ease they felt with one another, considering that they had never met. They could talk for hours on the phone, each never tiring of talking or listening to the other. So much in common, and yet even their differences were intriguing. Whether it was art, sports, music, food, philosophy, literature or current events, they each had an interesting opinion, even when they didn’t see eye to eye.

He taunted her mercilessly about her addiction to comic books while she regularly gave him grief about his affliction to cheesy country music. He would have to fight to keep the laughter out of his voice, as he would try to convince her, “Hey, you’re a big girl now… surely you can find better things to spend your allowance on.”

She would give it back to him with both barrels as she would retort in a mockingly exasperated tone, “How you can listen to a song about a guy who dumps his lady because she won’t wipe her feet before she gets into his pick-up truck?!?”

As fun as it was, it was beginning to slowly dawn on each of them that they had invested a lot of time in getting to know one another. And you simply didn’t get to know someone to a certain degree and then just stop. Recently, they had reached a point where they both feared to tread, yet innately knew they would have to move forward.

It was as though they had each found something that neither knew was missing from their lives. Or better yet, they had each become aware of something missing in their lives, but were unaware of how to go about seeking it out or attaining it. They each had satisfying jobs, good friends and family and hobbies, but neither had dated in some time… a subject they often touched on during some of their marathon conversations.

Both had had their good and bad relationship stories. And they had on more than one occasion called each other to vent their frustrations after a particularly horrendous date.

Yet the idea of meeting face to face meant escalating things and breaking the comfort factor. They had each brought up the idea of meeting on different occasions. They would flirt with the concept and joke about it, always mentioning how it seemed like destiny for them to cross paths. But neither one of them seemed entirely convinced to do it. Perhaps it was the uneasiness of possibly ruining something that was thus far... sublime in form and content… yet safe, in distance and commitment.

Such was the case until lately. He began to repeatedly propose a public meeting. He respected her concern for a sense of safety, after all, they only knew each other a relatively short time and they had no mutual friends, other than other folks from the message board. He had never met a woman who could make him talk so freely about himself. He wasn’t an introvert by any means, but he rarely felt like sharing anything and everything about himself with just anyone.

They were both raised in rather traditional family settings and often spoke of how most of their family just didn’t “get” the Internet and how you could make friends on it. It was too technical, too unwieldy, too big a concept for most of them to grasp, except for the younger generation which included their nieces, nephews and younger siblings.

But he told her that he sensed that it was time for matters to move on to another level. Deep down she knew he was right; she too felt that it was time to take that next step towards... what?
She sighed softly as she spoke into the receiver, “Yeah, time to bite the bullet. Time to see if we can both walk the walk as well as we’ve been talking the talk.”

*****

Magdalena arrived at the restaurant first, a bit apprehensive and relentlessly questioning herself. Was this really all that great of an idea? What if the presumed synchronicity and comfort was nothing once they finally met in person?

Oh, Magdalena… stop it, girl! Presume nothing. You are just scared shitless because he seems too perfect over the phone. And you’ve read enough jokes and stories on the net about people meeting this way and turning out to be nothing like how presented themselves online. Just get a grip and enjoy the evening for what it is. Take it one step at a time.

Distractedly she looked around the place to see if he might be there. God, she felt worse than if she were on a blind date, if only because they’d gotten to know each other so well in such an unorthodox way. Go figure; life in the 21st century! She approached the bar, settling herself down on a stool as she placed her purchases on the bar and slipped off her fitted black jacket. She caught the bartender’s eye and ordered a drink.

She toyed with the straw in her glass, taking a couple of deep breaths to calm herself. As she brought the glass up to her lips, her hazel eyes critically appraised her own image in the large Venetian-style mirror behind the bar, the beveled edge and decorative pieces sending little prisms all over the oak bar. The reflected image that greeted her was that of a rather simple but classic beauty. Straight nose, high cheekbones, high-arched brows, full lips, and clear skin. Her dark auburn hair was pinned up softly, a loose wisp of hair escaping here and there.

She had tried not to think too much about what to wear, so she wore one of her favorite ensembles. A long dark green crocheted tunic with a not-too-short dark green skirt. She’d topped off the outfit with her jacket, black tights and black suede boots. The outfit always made her feel comfortable and secure, as whenever she wore earthtones. Those colors always enhanced her light olive complexion. They also, along with her mood, could alter her eye color dramatically, making it range from a deep olive to a shade of the lightest brown that looked like raw honey.

The outfit also helped downplay her curves, of which there were many, considering how she measured up. She was buxom, with a small waist that swelled into full, shapely hips. The outfit made Magdalena feel taller than she actually was, being that she was barely 5’4”. They had never exchanged photos, but over the course of their budding friendship they had described themselves in detail to one another, physically, intellectually, philosophically, emotionally, and spiritually.

As she sipped her whiskey, she could sense someone looking at her and she knew it was Andrei. That was something else he teased her about, her supposed intuition. Well, she’d show him! She turned towards the entrance of the restaurant. There he was. She knew it had to be him, as he continued gazing intently at her, a quizzical grin on his face. Almost a full foot taller than she. He had mentioned that people tended to find him intimidating, in his stature more than in his nature. If creating a mini-eclipse was intimidating... well, then... he fit the bill.

Magdalena took him in visually and felt something more than the whiskey burning within her. Tall, broad-shouldered, and small-waisted like an Olympic swimmer. Andrei wore a collarless shirt the color of rust, black jeans, a dark chocolate sports jacket, and boots. His thick black hair curled at the ends as it brushed against his shoulders. His chestnut brown eyes looked almost black from where Magdalena sat. His dark olive skin and closely cropped beard made him stand out against the other men in the restaurant. And he had the most exquisitely full bottom lip she had ever set her eyes on. He was so… kissable… jeez, what was she thinking? Girl, you need to put yourself in check!

She rose from her barstool as he approached her, both of them helping to shorten the distance between them in an instant. Both were nervously thrilled to finally be face to face, yet there was some sort of line they still had to cross.

“I’d say we’re beyond a handshake, but I don’t know if this calls for a kiss”, he said, looking serious, but his tone was teasing.

She laughed lightly and replied, “Well, how about a hug? I think that’s a fair balance, don’t you?”

They did indeed hug; their arms delicately squeezed each other in a prolonged, heartfelt embrace. After a few moments, they awkwardly broke the embrace, Andrei’s bearded cheek brushed against her soft face and she shivered. With a bit of nervous laughter they walked towards the bar and Magdalena’s drink and things.

The bar tender spotted Andrei. “Hey, Andrei, how’s it going?”

Andrei smiled and reached over the bar to shake Patrick’s hand. “Pat, I’m fine, thanks. I’d like you to meet Magdalena.”

She smiled and took Patrick’s proffered hand. “Hey there, Patrick, good to meet you.”

Patrick grinned at them, “So’s… can I have Felipe seat you or are you guys gonna hang out with me tonight?”

Andrei looked intently at Magdalena as he asked, “Would you like to try the food here?”

She grinned. “Sure, I’d love to.”

Andrei shrugged his shoulders at Patrick. “Sorry, dude, I guess I get the lovely lady all to myself tonight.”

Patrick laughed. “Fair enough, Andrei, maybe another time. It was nice meeting you, Magdalena.”

“You too, Patrick.”

Andrei reached over to get Magdalena’s drink and jacket. And that’s when he saw the flat paper bag on the bar. He started to giggle. Magdalena turned to see what he was laughing at, and as her eyes followed his, she knew he had spotted her latest purchase.

“Oh, Magdalena… you didn’t,” Andrei said in mock disappointment.

“Ok, smart aleck, I went to the comic book shop. I told you I knew about this place because I shop around here. St. Mark’s Comics is right around the corner”, she said sheepishly.

As soon as Felipe, the owner, seated them, Andrei began to eagerly fire questions at Magdalena breathlessly. ”Have you been waiting long? Any trouble finding the place?” His dark eyes sparkled in a lively way when he spoke, and his smile was warm and enthusiastic. “What do you think of it? Are you sure you wouldn’t rather go somewhere else for a bite to eat?”

Magdalena didn’t answer; she simply looked at him with an easy smile, completely dazzled by the sight in front of her. Her mind was still trying to absorb the fact as it hit her finally that she had been communicating with this handsome stranger for over six months! She was speechless.

“Is everything ok? Do I have something on my face?” he asked, arching one dark eyebrow, trying to sound panicked as he patted his beard.

Only then did she realize that she had been staring at him all this time and completely ignoring his questions. She felt her color rise on her cheeks as she stammered, “It’s juh…just so... so…

“What is it? Are you sorry we decided to do this?” he asked with genuine concern.

Magdalena shook her head earnestly as she looked at him. “No, no… that’s not it at all. On the con… contrary…” she said softly as she smiled at him, realizing what he was thinking. Wow, he looks so worried that she might not want to be here! She had tried to dismiss his “lovely lady” comment to Pat as being pleasant. But this! This couldn’t be ignored. Those deep brown eyes filled with such disquiet were intriguing to say the least.

“It’s just strange... to see your voice coming from your lips. I mean after only hearing it come... you know… disembodied from the phone.” Goodness, she’d gotten rid of her stutter and had traded it in for a stammer!

“Your voice is wonderful to listen to... it’s even nicer than on the phone,” she said, finally managing to speak clearly, if not calmly. She felt his gaze holding hers, and she looked down at the tablecloth and picked at imaginary lint as she stuttered, “I guess... it’ll just take a little... getting used to... hearing it... in person, I mean. You’ll have to forgive me, but I’m a little nervous. But please don’t take it as regret or remorse over our meeting in person. We knew we would have to ‘go there’,” she said with her hands making quotation marks in the air. Her hands quickly returned to the punishment of the fabric under her hands.

Andrei blew out a long-held breath as he ran graceful fingers through his long hair in a gesture of relief as he replied, “I guess I feel the same way. This is all just so weird.” His eyes flashed wide as he realized how that sounded. Rapidly he replied, “Don’t get me wrong, it’s so nice too, at the same time. You said it. It’s going to take some getting accustomed to. But I have to confess I made myself a wreck thinking about you and me finally meeting.” He smiled warmly at her, as he watched her from across the small table.

Magdalena could tell that he was amused by the effect they were having on each other, but she hated this flustered adolescent feeling, even if she wasn’t alone in feeling it.

He looked at her impishly as he said with a relieved sigh, “Besides, it’s only fair, considering that I’m asking so many questions because I’m a bit nervous myself. But you know… you could show a little mercy to that poor tablecloth. I think it’s learned its lesson.” He gave her a kind smile, placing his hands softly over her hands as they worried the tablecloth.

Magdalena giggled comfortably as she turned her palms towards his own and felt Andrei’s hands close around hers. She breathed deeply. “You’re sooo right,” she said, “The poor thing has suffered enough.”

As the night wore on, the nervousness completely dissipated. Both Andrei and Magdalena were taken by each other’s charm, intellect and magnetism. Each became thoroughly enchanted watching one another. At last… seeing those intangibles that are lost over the phone like mannerisms, expressions and quirks. They weren’t true strangers who’d just met; it was more like they were long lost friends rediscovering each other.

Magdalena couldn’t get enough of watching Andrei as he spoke. She privately reprimanded herself for regretting that their liaison was so public. She kept finding herself imagining a more secluded rendezvous with him. Her color deepened as she thought about the dreams she’d have about him after some of their late-night talks. His wonderful voice still in her ear as she drifted off, to meet him in her dreams. At that very moment, Andrei smiled at her in such a sweet yet almost wanton way that she would have sworn he was the one reading minds.

Andrei couldn’t recall the last time he’d found a woman so intriguing. Magdalena was sharp-witted, intelligent, and inquisitive. And funny! How she made him laugh. And the earnestness on her face as she showed him her latest purchase, a mint copy of X-Men #3, which was worth some $1500.00, minimum. She gave such legitimacy to the comic book, it could have been a gold brick from Fort Knox.

He had already found her beautiful on the inside, from all their talks. She was a very centered and spiritual person. But now he was discovering that the jewelry case was as beautiful as the jewels inside. He had never felt so… giddy was only word that sufficed. He had never been so entranced by someone; she was intoxicating. Too often he had met women who tried too hard to like his likes. But she was different. There was a naturalness to her when she would comment on one of their mutual pleasures. And she was just as natural when she admitted her lack of interest or knowledge in something dear to him... no apologies or excuses.

Magdalena found his gaze so intense it was nearly unsettling, but flattering nonetheless. His attentiveness was almost overwhelming. Here was a man who was secure with himself without coming across as arrogant or cocky, a rare and appealing quality. Andrei was the type of man who was used to depending on himself, but wasn’t a loner. He was good with people. And he didn’t have a problem with showing how attracted he felt to someone. In the past she had dealt with some men that were more coy than women. And then there was the other end of the spectrum, the ones who would be trying for a kiss during the appetizers!

Their mutual attraction was obvious, and it couldn’t be ignored. Sitting across from each other, their feet slightly tangled together due to the smallness of their table, shoulders hunched towards each other, like conspirators sharing secrets by candlelight. It was as though everything they had sensed on the phone was becoming more definite and concrete. Everything was being enhanced by everything else... intellect appealing to intellect, attraction to attraction.