Sorry to leave you all hanging for so long. Okay, where was I? Pat and I finished up at the diner and had to figure out something else to do. Fortunately I didn’t have to think too hard because no sooner had we left the restaurant than Pat spotted a Tasti Delite and suggested we get a frozen yogurt. Apparently the omelet, toast and potatoes didn’t quite cut it. Fine by me. I had no interest in eating frozen yogurt since I wasn’t hungry, but I was glad for an opportunity to pass the time, so I readily agreed. 

As we sat while he ate his Tasti Delite, Pat told me about his apartment and mentioned his weekly dishwashing ritual.  After letting dishes pile up in the sink all week, he explained matter-of-factly, he finally washes them on the weekend. Imagining dirty plates stacked on top of one another and flies swarming around days-old remnants of food, I couldn’t help voice my disgust at this admission.  I don’t own a dishwasher either and don’t exactly love washing plates after I eat, but I’d much rather deal with the minor inconvenience than live among filth all week.  Maybe that’s just me.   

After leaving Tasti Delite, Pat proposed we go to a bookstore. There happened to be a Barnes and Noble just down the street and it’s always fun to browse books, so we decided to check it out. We started off in the bargain bin of the Food and Cooking section, which included really obscure topics, such as a book on “naughty cakes.” The discounted books were apparently on sale for a reason. After sharing a laugh at pictures of cakes shaped like a giant ass or erect penis, we headed upstairs and wandered around aimlessly, pretending to take interest in whatever section we happened to pass.  
At one point I made a comment about how dark it was already getting now that it’s fall and that the lack of sunlight was what I dreaded most about winter. In response, Pat said something about it being ironic, given that I look like a vampire. Noticing the look of offense on my face, Pat tried to backpedal, adding that I looked like an “attractive vampire.”  “Oh, really?” I questioned.  I’ve seen Twilight but somehow I don’t think those were the kind of vampires he had in mind. Pat continued to dig himself deeper into a hole by pointing out my prominent widows peak—a trademark of vampires—and the fact that my coat looked kind of like a cape.  “But you don’t have fangs,” Pat noted.  Oh gee, thanks! I thought. You really know how to charm a girl….   

By then I wasn’t too worried about prolonging the date any further so I asked Pat what train he was planning to get. He said he figured he’d just go to the station and get on the next available train. Sounded good to me! Since Pat lives outside the city and seemed nervous about being able to figure out the subway on his own—despite me explaining that there are signs saying “downtown” or “uptown”— I walked him to the subway turnstile and pointed him in the direction of the express train.  I gave him detailed directions about what stop to get off of and which way to go once off the subway.  He still seemed concerned, but I assured him I had faith in him and that he’d have no problems.  As we said awkward goodbyes, I felt more like I was parting from a son than a potential suitor.  Once Pat disappeared from my view, I headed back outside. I was heading uptown too but I preferred to walk and get some much-needed fresh air.