Friday, June 20, 2008

The Law of Three Strikes

Last week Mr. Firefighter and I had a bit of a miscommunication. He works 24 hour shifts, so his schedule is, to say the least, kind of odd. Trying to work out a day we are both free has been a challenge. I suggested a movie Wednesday. He, miraculously, agreed. I was, of course, psyched. Wednesday rolls around, and I call to see when and where we should meet. Oops. He thought I meant next Wednesday, he was working that Wed. Okay, weird schedule, honest mistake, I had a little chuckle. He said he had a chunk of days off this week, so we agreed to see each other on Monday.

Fast forward to Monday. That morning I get a message that his nephew has a tournament, and he really wants to go see it. Would I be upset of he canceled on me? Hmm… Upset? No. It’s actually kind of sweet that he wants to see his nephew play. Very sweet, in fact. (You may have noticed that I have a big soft spot for guys who like kids.) But, disappointed? Yes. Very. It’s been over a week since I’ve seen him. And, since I know I’ve mentioned how hot he is, you can imagine how bummed I am. But, I understand things come up. Hey, I’m sure I’ve been in that same position before. No worries, we’ll get together soon.

Tuesday two things happen. a) Mr. Firefighter discovers this blog. (If you look back to last Friday, you can even see his comment posted! I’m a little nervous. Honestly, telling him where I bear my soul is about the biggest commitment I’ve made to a guy in… ever?) And b) He asks if I want to come over that night. Um…no brainer. Yes! He asks when, I retaliate with a time, and he says he’ll get right back to me. An hour later I get a call. He’s changed his mind. He has an early flight the next morning, he’s gonna pass. Maybe we’ll get together next week when he gets back into town.

Now, I like to think of myself as a pretty understanding girl. As the other Killer Fiction ladies who know me well can tell you, I’m generally a very laid back person. Not much upsets me, I take most of life in stride, and I’m pretty live and let live. But… pass? You pass on that extra helping of mashed potatoes, you don’t pass on an evening with your girl. And, while each incident was understandable in itself, that makes three times in a row now that he’s canceled on me. Were he anyone else, I’d be saying three strikes and you’re out, pal. As it is, I’ve modified this rule: three strikes and I make a date with someone else. Yes, he may be adorable. Yes, I really like this one. And, yes, I could totally fall for this guy. But I am so not a wait-by-the-phone kind of girl.

So…

Let me tell you all about Mr. Real Estate (think Mr. Big from Sex & the City). 35, cut bod, gorgeous brown eyes with those kind of long dark lashes that make you go all warm inside. I met him a couple weeks ago and we did lunch at a little Mexican place in town with this really beautiful back patio area that makes you feel like you’re actually in some Mexican oasis. Terra cotta balconies, flowering vines, beautiful mosaic fountain. Unfortunately, he was just coming from a meeting and I was just on my way out to one, so we had to cut things short. We barely had time to wolf down a couple of enchiladas and some cold Coronas before I had to leave. But, apparently leaving them wanting more is a good thing, as he was very eager to see me again. So, as soon as strike three rolled around, my passed-on self called him and we made a date for the next night.

I had a conference call that evening about one of the new TV projects I’m working on, so it was kind of late before we got started, but we ended up at this really cool brewery restaurant sampling their different award winning beers. Who knew beer came in so many different flavors? Even though I’m usually more of a martini girl, it was a lot of fun. I think my favorite was the Little Brown Bear beer. I swear it was almost chocolaty.

After the restaurant, it was a nice night out, so we walked to the movie theater and saw Iron Man. Okay, honestly, we saw the beginning of Iron Man. Neither of us was totally impressed (really, we waned to see Hancock, but it’s not out yet. *pout*) So, about halfway through, we decided to bail on Robert Downey and went back to his place to watch a DVD on his new flat screen instead. (The thing is HUGE!) Anyone ever seen the Danny DeVito movie Drowning Mona? Screwball murder comedy at its best. I was giggling out loud the whole time. Bette Midler makes a fab murder victim.

So, the moral of the story… boys, you either gotta step up to the plate or you forfeit the game.


~Trigger Happy Halliday


P.S. I'll be sure to let you all know next week if it’s game over for Mr. Firefighter or if he redeems himself with some sort of grand romantic gesture. You know, roses are always nice…

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gemma,
I totally agree about not sitting at the phone waiting. My first date with my husband was great. Afterward he says the usuall "I'll call you next week". By Friday He hadn't called, so I called him. We've been married 27 years, so it was a good "call" on my part. Keep us posted

Linda C

Christie Craig said...

Gemma,

Oh darn! I was so thrilled about Mr. Firefighter. But girl, you are so right, if you're important to him, he'll make the time. Sure there are exceptions, but one has to wonder . . .

Great post.

Crime Scene Christie

Keri Ford said...

Geewhiz, I was starting to like Mr. Firefighter, but I'm with you on this one pass, PASS???. Why don't you pass those high heels he fancies up that backside.

I think it would take more than roses for me. Three date canceled? That means three needs to be made up into and all afternoon thing.

Goodbye Mr. Figherfighter....Hello Mr. Real Estate.

Terri Osburn said...

I'll admit it. I went back to find his comment from last week. And I love how you totally ignored what he implied. LOL! You're so smooth.

I would have been ticked before the pass comment. He invites you over, you give him a time and he says he'll call you back? What, he has to check with some personal secretary? Uh uh.

Moving on. Mr. Real Estate sounds nice. Now lets hope he understands the world revolving around your shoes bit too.

Anonymous said...

Well, hopefully while he is on the airplane he will have some time to think that was not the best way to court a girl, and will do something fabulous to make it up to you. My husband doesn't always pay attention to what he says and then a little later will come back after he replayed what he said and apologize. I not sure if it is a firefighter thing (they are really a different breed of men) or a man thing.

Hellie Sinclair said...

Hmm. Yeah, something's up. My "he's married" is flying high or something. Tread carefully in those heels, Gemma.

Gemma Halliday said...

Thanks for the support, everyone! And glad you all agree. I'll admit, I felt the teeniest tinge of bad even making a date with someone else, but... well, why wait around to be canceled on again when I could be out having fun, right?

No, I'm not totally counting him out yet. I know men are a species I will never fully understand. But, yeah, someone has some 'spainin to do.

~Gemma

Gemma Halliday said...

I went back to find his comment from last week. And I love how you totally ignored what he implied. LOL! You're so smooth.

Hehe. Yeah, he caught me a little off guard. I didn't expect to see him actually post here. But... I'm kinda glad he had the guts to. I know we can be an intimidating bunch. ;)

~Gemma

Gemma Halliday said...

Thanks, Mshellion! Yeah, that was a comment that Suze made, too. "Who's he checking with? His wife?" After having been to his place, I'm *pretty* sure he's honestly single. But, yeah, you never know. Thanks for the heads-up!

~Gemma

Gemma Halliday said...

Why don't you pass those high heels he fancies up that backside.

*snork*
Aw, I'm starting to feel a little bit bad for him now. He's really not a bad guy, he's just acting a bit clueless. Yeah, as in more clueless than most boys, even. I mean, doesn't he know that this degree of fabulousness is not to be passed on? ;)

But I love the sentiment, keri! What would I do without you girls?

~Gemma

Anonymous said...

Tsk, tsk, tsk. Does Mr. Firefighter not understand the concept of "you snooze, you lose"?

I'm glad you had fun with Mr. Real Estate. :)

Keri Ford said...

he's just acting a bit clueless. Yeah, as in more clueless than most boys

could be why he's older and single :O) But if you've ever read a regency, then you know how those older bad boys get spun around by a prime article.

My BIL is a firefighter, and they do work some whacky hours. Since they (at least the ones around here) only work 11 days a month, many also take up paramedic stuff, which is just as screwed up hours. Could contribute to your firefighter's lack of "fabulous recognization" skills. Maybe he'll do something highly redemable and then you can always hold this over head.

catslady said...

I think I'd stick with Mr. Real Estate. Something just doesn't ring true with Mr. Firefighter - and if he's reading these posts he can't even begin to pretend he's clueless!

S. Jones said...

Hey Fireman! Don't trifle with our girl!

~ love, Mom

Gemma Halliday said...

Thanks for the input, catslady! Seriously, you all are my girlfriends of advice. :) I do know that he's not online much, so it may take him a awhile to see this post... if he even does. But, yeah, he can't claim clueless after that. :)

~Gemma

Gemma Halliday said...

I love you, Mommy! *smooch*