Rhinestone Flip Flops

Saturday

First Date

            Josie, a beautiful redhead in her mid-thirties, stands in front of her closet. Today’s date will be Josie’s last attempt to complete her life with the likes of a stranger. The thought briefly crosses her mind… I’m too old for this…Blind dating is for twenty-somethings. She’s anxious to get out of her favorite shorts (formerly her favorite pair of comfy sweat pants) and the threadbare T-shirt she wears around the house. It’s time to put on whatever she’s going to wear for her date with Brett.

             She’s been told Brett’s a sharp dresser; the typical tall-dark-handsome type. No pressure...What to wear? Since this is a potential “friend-zone” date, Josie isn’t too stressed about what she’s going to wear. Heather, Josie’s co-worker and friend, swears they’re a “perfect match”. Whatever I put on will be just fine. I could wear my favorite sundress with the tiny, lace straps and some not-too-high heels. As she runs her hand over her closet full of choices, she sees a pantsuit that generated many compliments the one and only time she ever wore it. It’s taupe and flowing. She’d worn the outfit to the wedding of a college roommate a few years back. The fact that its first outing was a wedding quickly makes her abandon the thought of wearing it on a blind date for its encore appearance. Bad vibe! On to my next option…Jeans, pink linen shirt, and rhinestone flip flops. That’s it! Although most redheads shy away from wearing anything pink, Josie can pull it off beautifully. Her tanned skin and the streaks of blonde in her long, stick-straight hair look gorgeous in anything. “Oh, to be as lucky and blessed as you,” her best friend has always said. Mind you, Josie’s best friend, Kate, is four sizes smaller than Josie. Kate has honey-blonde hair and green eyes that literally sparkle. Kate is the kind of cute Josie wishes she could be for a day—just to see what kinds of wonderful opportunities would throw themselves at her feet.

             Oh, God! Speaking of feet… Her decision to wear flip flops means Josie needs a pedicure, and quick! She throws herself into double-time mode, starting with a shower. The water starts to warm up just as she steps out. Stupid old houses and their inadequate plumbing, she thinks, wrapping herself in a towel. Her teeth chatter as she dries herself off and tries to warm up. She realizes that the cold shower has actually served her well. It’s rejuvenated her. She’s able to focus on getting ready to meet Brett.

Josie’s rule for dating is to meet at a halfway point. The last thing she needs is a former date casing her house because she was idiotic enough give him her address.

She has exactly forty-five minutes to get ready—including the impromptu pedi she so desperately needs in order to wear the shoes she’s chosen. Why is it that, no matter how many times I put myself through this last-ditch, I refuse to open a Match.com or eHarmony account scramble…I still can’t get it through my head that I may not find Mr. Right this time either? …Like Pink Satin toenails are the sure way to get a man’s attention. Sure they are. …Whatever, no time for doubt! Just get your ass ready! What if, this time, he is Mr. Right? I can’t keep him waiting now, can I?