Saturday, 23 January 2016.
Day 34
So, Luukas and I text.
How can we have this much in common?
He’s a teacher too – physics; his father is also a retired pastor; he’s divorced with adult kids; loves volleyball and running (well OK, he runs marathons – I struggle to jog 5km). Just as I have, he’s lived in Oulu, Jyväskylä, Porvoo and Stockholm, and lives in Helsinki now. And more.
He convinces Anna to call her up immediately. She’s intrigued and a phone call would be a first. Why not?
Oh, no! He sounds soooooo formal. And laughs exactly like Santa Claus, “Ho, Ho, Ho. Anna, you are so adorable! Ho, Ho, Ho.”
Still, he seems like a good person. Plus, he’s in very good shape, in his really blurry pic. So Anna decides to accept his invitation to have tea the next evening.
“Oh, Thank you, thank you. Ho, Ho. Where?”
🎅
She’s slowly started to feel that, when unsure, why go all the way to the other side of the center. Let them come to me.
She doesn’t tell him her neighborhood, of course, but suggests a gaming restaurant on Tyynenmerenkatu.
Day 35
On Sunday, after a pleasant day with a little jogging, she’s not feeling too excited, but still, when a human being gives you their precious commodity of time, the least you can do is get nicely groomed for the date and look as cute as possible. It’s a matter of respect.
Self-respect, mainly.
And what if he ends up being Mr. Boyfriend, huh? I don’t want to regret not showing up looking good.
Nothing over the top. Just the usual.
Shower. Hair, light make up. A casual outfit. A nice overcoat and a beautiful, fashionable scarf.
A sincere smile, self-confidence and eye-to-eye contact are anyone’s most important accessories.
Evening has come, and Luukas walks up to her on the dark street, blond, tall, handsome and… shy! Poor dear.
The restaurant is closed, so change of plans, and they go to the Little Big Café inside Verkkokauppa.
Anna can’t remember anymore all the things they talked about that day. She does remember, however, that he was timid, and…
… kept on talking about all the wrong topics.
(a) His upcoming unemployment and no stress in looking for another job.
Oh, my. His hair looks so oily. Didn’t he wash it for the date?
(b) His illnesses. The pain and discomfort.
This keeps getting better.
Hey, we all have our conditions, but please! Your charm, first.
Slowly. No hurry. A little mystery is good.
Hey you Mr. Wanted out there: win me over and then I won’t mind your brokenness. I have my share, too.
Skills, people, dating skills!
I’m here practicing mine. Hmm.
Oh, poor dear. You have good attributes, but why are you wearing a cheap, old-looking, hoodie? The color doesn’t suit you. It’s too small and has a couple of holes in it. It looks like a teenager’s hand-me-down.
From the last decade!
Dating is comical.
Saturday, 30 January 2016.
A week later, Anna goes to the Educa Messu, an education fair for teachers. Guess who she bumps into there?
Yes, him.
He gets all happy and excited to see her and grabs her hand, pulling her to see different stands.
Walking hand in hand, she panics on the inside and is shocked into passiveness. Wide-eyed.
Akward – does he think we’re on a date??
What if my teacher workmates spot us like this? Some don’t even know I’ve separated yet. They’ll think I’ve found myself a teacher-lover.
Help!!
She has the idea to seem deeply mesmerized by a pedagogical book displayed opposite them, and thus has to let go of his hands to flip its many, many pages. Phew.
He finds ways of grabbing her hand again, so she repeats the trick.
He finally stops taking her hand in his again and she feels better.
Anna has been fasting today and is feeling quite weak. The fair is over and Luukas invites her to have a hamburger at Sävel in Kallio. They’re on the tram and she’s feeling so weak that she goes there with him.
Ravenous!
Besides, she’s told him he’s nice, “But sorry, I realized I’m not ready for a relationship or dating yet.”
They have a chat about work while they dig into their burgers. He’s OK. And he gulps his beers.
Then, after eating he brings his chair – that has been safely opposite hers – to her side of the table. What the heck?
He hugs her and starts kissing her cheeks.
At a burger restaurant?? People are watching!
She shows him with her body language that she’s not interested, but he licks her ear and whispers, “I’m a very passionate man! Must be my half-Russian blood!”
“Sorry! Stop! I’m not ready.”
“Oh, Anna, you’re simply wonderful.”
“Thanks, but no. Thank you for your company. I’m feeling tired, so I really have to go now.”
Being free to go on dates feels exciting, but so far, eurgh, such bad luck!
They bump into other once more, when Anna is with Kristiina at Stadium in Kamppi. Anna introduces the two, and the three of them chat for a minute.
“Mom, he’s so handsome and nice!”
“Yes, he is. But he’s not for me.”
I’ll really have to do that research on how to politely let a man go.
Urgently!
© 2017 rf
Obs. He is nice, but there’s just no chemistry.
The Chronicles of a Happy Divorcée 