On or Off

Clarence returned to his computer after his shower feeling a bit better and refreshed. He would apologize to her and beg her forgiveness. It was that simple.

He connected to the Internet and started his icq. He scanned over his list of people on-line and as fate would have it he saw her there.

"Hi. We need to talk. I'm sorry," he typed.

There was a pause while he waited for her response. He waited. After a few minutes he sighed and moved the mouse to click off his icq when her message appeared.

"What do you want?" she asked.

"I want to say I'm sorry," he said.

"You said that already," she replied.

"Listen, I acted like a jerk. Okay? I don't know why, I just saw you with that guy and flipped out."

"Why would you even care who I was talking to? He was/is my manager there. There wasn't even anything going on. And who was that girl?"

"Some girl I bumped into on the stairs. I was trying to make you jealous."

"That was stupid," she typed.

"Yeah it was. Hey can we meet somewhere? I really feel like I should be doing this face to face, you know. You don't even have to see me again after, if you don't want to. I just want to apologize face to face and clear things up," he said.

There was a pause.

"Ummmmm. Okay. There's an East Side Mario's off of the QEW that's about half way between us. I'll meet you there tomorrow around 7 p.m."

"Okay, I know the one you're talking about. *S* Thanks," he typed.

"Don't mention it," she typed.

Then they both got off-line.

He walked into the East Side Mario's five minutes after 7:00. He looked around at the booths and towards the tables in back.

"Looking for someone?" asked a waitress.

"Ummmm, actually yeah. She's ummm about this tall," holding his hand up to just below his nose, "with shoulder length black hair, dark brown eyes, a cute smile ..."

"Whoa, you know her pretty well don't you," laughed the waitress, "Hold on I'll look to see if I see her."

"While you're looking I'll just take a seat at this booth okay?," said Clarence.

"Sure, no problem," she said.

Clarence was waiting at the table when the waitress came back and told him she didn't see anyone that fit his description.

"That's okay. I'm sure she'll be along any minute," he said, wishing he felt as confident as he sounded.

"Would you like something to drink while you wait?"

"Sure. I'll take an orange soda," he said.

He was sitting in the booth drinking his soda when Christine walked in. Clarence waved her over and she sat down across from him.

"Hi. Thanks for coming," he said.

"I figured I'd get a free meal out of it," she replied.

"Clarence wasn't sure if he was supposed to laugh or not. And the look on Christine's face didn't tell him whether she was serious or not.

"Ummm .... I really wanted to let you know how sorry I was, I mean am, for at the club ..."

"Save it okay?? At least until after we eat?"

"Ummm yeah sure," he said.

The waitress came by and they placed their order.

"Go ahead. Ladies first," said Clarence.

"I'll have the angel hair pasta with chicken in alfredo sauce no parsley and garden salad no olives, no parsley, no onions, extra dressing on the side. And can I get a water with three lemon wedges? Thanks," said Christine.

"I'll just have the chicken fingers and fries and a regular garden salad," said Clarence, "You come here often I take it?"

"Yeah you could say that," said Christine.

"So if I get out of line you'll just have them poison my food eh?"

Christine laughed despite herself. She liked him, even if he did behave like a jerk. He was sweet and funny. Besides I've dated worse. And he is kinda cute.

They continued to talk and became more and more comfortable with each other. They talk about on-line things and move to things happening in their lives outside of the net. They share opinions and even had an argument, or discussion as they wouldn't call it a fight, on of all things baby names. By the time they finish diner the incident at the club if not forgotten it is certainly forgiven.

"I don't want this evening to end," said Clarence.

"It doesn't have to," said Christine, "At least not now. Would you like to see a movie?"

Clarence smiled, "I've got better idea."

"Where are we going?" asked Christine for the third time.

"You'll see," said Clarence, "I promise you'll like it. And its something we've done before."

"I don't know if I should be scared or not. We're done a number of things together. Quite a few that have involved us taking our clothes off."

Clarence laughed. "Not that I'd mind that but not on the first date. What kind of man do you think I am?"

"I'm beginning to wonder," replied Christine

They both laughed. Soon they arrived downtown. Clarence found a place to park and they got out.

"Can you tell me now?" asked Christine.

"It's just ahead. Right up this block," said Clarence.

They walked together up the block to a storefront cafe. A large sign was in the curtained window and the smell of freshly brewed coffee could be scented behind the door.

"Ta da!" said Clarence beaming.

Christine laughed. "A chat cafe? Cute." She smiled at him.

"I figured it would be something we both liked. Besides we've spent some of our best times together on-line," said Clarence.

"I hope you don't plan on spending all of our times together on-line," said Christine.

"I certainly hope not," Clarence grinned and guided her inside.

They went in and sat at a pair of computers. They visited the Chatplace and surfed around. They joked and laughed. The more time they spent together the closer they became. Soon their time was up and they got off the computer. They walked out hand and hand smiling.

"Well I guess this is goodnight," said Christine. She was standing next to her car looking up into his eyes.

"Yes I guess it is," said Clarence, smiling back down at her, " I had a really good time."

"So did I," she said.

"Can we do it again tomorrow?" he said and grinned.

"I'd like that," she said and grinned back.

They stood there a moment or two grinning at each other. Then he leaned over and kissed her. Their lips met, warm and soft. She leaned into him and he pulled her closer. The kiss lingered on as they reveled in the feel of each other, the reality of it, yet it felt like a dream. They broke their kiss and he stepped back.

"I'll see you on-line ... or off."

"I'm looking forward to it," she replied.

They drove apart anticipating their next meeting be it on-line or off.

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