Dude Three, Part Three and Other Stuff

   He’s already two minutes late! A knock at the door interrupted my prelude to despair.

   “I was on the wrong street,” Dude Three explained, a bit frazzled.

   “No worries. Yeah, it’s confusing. It’s a broken street, and a cul de sac. We’re fine.”

---

   Streams of sunlight warmed my back and head, as Three led me to a peaceful, secluded spot along Bidwell Creek.  He’d brought a hearty assortment of snacks (Havarti cheese, pepperoni and sandwich meats, a Pale Ale for himself, bottled water for me). Three rested a large tan beach towel on the grass, and confessional began.

   “I want to explain. So I’m sorry again about not following up after we met. Liz and I used to go to Lake Almanor all the time, so I was in a funk about stuff. But when I saw you at the concert, I was thinking 'I really had fun with her.' Robyn--” he pointed at his arm--“I wear my heart here. I’m faithful, I’m a good guy. That wasn't like me.”

   I couldn’t help but start (or keep) falling. I think it’s that innocent childlike vulnerability. I can relate; I never matured beyond it, I guess. Or is it the nurturer in me who wants to soothe and comfort? Oy. Dunno. I know that we were both comfortable and attracted from the start.

   “I do need to say,” I began, “when you dissed me to go sell baseball cards on EBay, I gotta tell you, Three, that’s not good for a woman’s ego.”

   He laughed.

   I smiled. “Look, I won’t let you forget about it. But"--I imparted an elbow nudge--"I’ll give you a free pass, since you manned up and we’re here. You've used your only free pass.”

   “Challenge accepted,” he grinned. 

   Three explained about his admittedly nerdy baseball card hobby. He told me about his two grown (young adult) children. Things were a bit touchy with the younger one, though he spoke like a proud, loving father. 

   “Okay,"--my turn--"respect is key."

   “I agree. Friendship first, and I need to earn your trust.”

   I liked that he realized this. “And monogamy.”

   “One love." Three raised an index finger. "Yes! One love!"

   I told Three about Pizza Delivery Boy and Paul E., both of whom were anti-monogamy.  Oh, and the married man who tried to kiss me at a party. And, no. I shut-up, else I'd continue forever.

--

   There was no romance (not yet anyway).  

   I'd invited him to a house concert after our picnic, so we went back to my place in-between things.  (I know, sorry. It's a real story, though, so it shall continue).  

~~~~~~~

Now for a tribute to the one and only Jono. In addition to being a very intelligent, worldly, warmhearted man, Jono's become a dear friend. We've shared snippets about Judaism. Thus, this picture outside of a  synagogue in Greece is for you, Jono. Unfortunately, I couldn't go inside. We were there during the High Holidays (Jewish New Year).

 Have a safe and relaxing weekend, my Dear Sillies.