Fireworks

Much to my surprise, I got a text just a few hours after I practically ran out of Sgt. Younger's house.

"Hey! I had a really great time last night. :-)"

Awww.  He wasn't going to drop me like I was hot!  Another surprise: he wanted to make plans in advance, and he actually followed through over the next few days to call me and make arrangements.  He wanted to have a BBQ on the 4th of July, and then go see some fireworks.  He'd invite his buddies, cook up a bunch of meat, and it would be summer fun for everyone.  Somehow, I managed to check myself and not start baking immediately.  Instead, I asked him what I could bring, and he suggested a watermelon, but not to worry about cutting it because he had knives.  Umm, okay? 

The day came, and we hadn't talked about getting together at any specific time.  In my regular life, this lack of a plan would drive me nuts, but I was trying out being flexible and spontaneous and not stressing out about not knowing details.  I went about my To Do list for the day.  Early afternoon, he texted me to let me know a BBQ wasn't going to work out--his friends had evidently gone out the night prior and weren't up for a daytime party.  He seemed frustrated that they weren't up for his idea.  But, we made an actual plan to meet up at his place and go see the fireworks on Auditorium Shores.  This plan, even though it had an a real time and location, was not my favorite.  The last time I'd been to Auditorium Shores for the fireworks, I'd been in college, and it wasn't a fun time at all:  fight traffic to get there, look all over the place for parking, see 20 minutes worth of fireworks, sit in major traffic to get home.  But he seemed so excited about it that I rallied. 

Of course, there was barely any traffic, and parking was pretty easy (in the location I'd looked up and found in advance on the internet, yay for planning!).  We walked over to the Shores, and talked about how sometimes the National Anthem makes us teary-eyed.  He said it hadn't affected him until he was in the service, but now it happened pretty much every time.  Oh, Sgt.!  I was crushing hard on the kid. 

He must have known.  As we waited for the show to start, we talked about what the Fourth was like in his hometown, and about his upcoming trip there.  He was really excited to see his extended family and friends, go sailing and fishing. 

And then he said, "It would be really fun if you went with me to Hometown." 

Wh. . .Wha. . .WHAT THE WHAT?  I fought to keep my expression neutral.  I may have failed; I don't know if my eyebrows were actually so high they were scraping my browline, but it may have been close.  We were on our fifth date.  Date six or seven does not equal week-long vacation to see family, RIGHT?

"Yeah," I responded casually, "That would be really fun."

"Of course, plane tickets are probably super expensive right now since I'm leaving on Monday." 

Except I have a bunch of free airline miles.  Shut up, self.  SHUT UP.

"You're probably right."

And we started talking about something else.  Was this some sort of test?  Was I some sort of sexpert and now he was totally in love with me?  I didn't know what I wanted with Sgt. Younger, other than more time to get to know him and figure out what I wanted with him.  Were suggestions like this just the way he made conversation?

Twenty minutes (ish) of fireworks, and we headed back to the car.  Sure enough, we sat in traffic in the parking garage for 45 minutes.  But you know what's a good way to spend 45 minutes in a dimly lit parking garage?  Eating the small container of watermelon I'd brought along, and asking him to tell me his secrets.  It's easier to tell your stories when it's almost dark, and when you're not looking directly at someone, isn't it?

He told me about his crazy ex-girlfriend.  They dated for a few years after he moved to Austin, they lived together, she was Crazy.  He had such a hard time at that point in his life he "had to talk to a guy."  Like, get counseling?  Bravo for him, and extra kudos for admitting that.

Back at his place, we changed into swimsuits and went for a swim.  We had the pool to ourselves, and we leaned against one side, submerged to our shoulders.  He told me more stories, about his family--his brother who had lost his way growing up, and still wasn't on a good path.  I felt close to him, and not just because we were practically naked on a dark summer night.  I asked him to tell me his secrets, and he actually was!  He talked about going to college after the Marines, and how he plowed through a hard time working, going to school, studying, and dealing with the crazy ex.  At one point, probably when I was still swooning over his use of the word "facetious," he said something that made me think he had only recently started dating again.  He hadn't been dating over the past couple of years?  At all? I'm still not sure if I understood him correctly.

After our (hanky panky-free) swim, we changed back into dry clothes.  It was late, and we both had work the next day.  I started gathering my stuff to leave, taking my time in case he wanted to ask me to stay.  Instead, he gave me the Best Hug Ever.  Accompanying Best Hug Ever was a series of small, closed-mouth kisses on my cheek, neck, and mouth.  I couldn't figure out the tiny kisses.  Was he teasing me? (Hot.) Was he being silly? (Confusing.) Was he making his way towards Best Kiss Ever (that would certainly make me tear my own clothes off?)?  I backed out of Best Hug, and asked him what was going on.  He told me he felt like he was getting a cold, and didn't want to give me any germs.  I told him I didn't care about germs, and snuggled back up for more good hugging.  I felt like he wanted more; I felt it against my leg.  But after a few more minutes of hugging and tiny kisses, he stepped back, put his hands on my shoulders, and said "I have to say goodnight. I'll walk you out to your car."

If this was Sgt. Younger's signature move, I was in trouble.  Because it was working: I was really starting to like him like him.