As it turns out, an urban hospital is an excellent site for a first date. After work, I drove up to Minneapolis to visit Josh in the hospital. I’d feared the worst—that he’d canceled our first date after deciding that kissing me was a mistake. Really, he just thought it would be more romantic to don an ill-fitting hospital gown in a bed that required folding up his legs like a grasshopper. They just don’t make hospital beds for people who are 6’8″.
He didn’t look like he’d be springing from the bed anytime soon. The poor guy was clearly miserable, though he’d thankfully been given an ample supply of IV drugs. It’s alarming to see such a strong person looking so vulnerable, and the way it pained me hinted at the depth of my burgeoning affection for him (Is it obvious that I’ve been reading Jane Austen lately?).
He was, like me, very independent. Rather than asking anyone for help, he had coped on his own for hours before driving himself to the hospital. When I insisted that he should have called me sooner, he assured me that he hadn’t even called his parents. That had the intended effect of flattery, but as someone who hoped to become a mother someday, it also horrified me, because if my kid was in the hospital, I’m pretty sure I’d want to know immediately, even if the “kid” was in his late twenties.
Josh was sharing a room with an unfortunate soul who was about to be transferred to the psych ward lest he hurt himself. He didn’t have any visitors, but Josh had overheard him fighting on the phone with someone who seemed to be—or had been, until recently—his girlfriend. Why, exactly, is it a good idea for people to share hospital rooms? And how could a fabric room divider possibly constitute privacy? I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that roommates do not have the same healing benefits as say, therapy dogs. But I digress.
When Josh invited me to hop up on his hospital bed with him, my fears about him pulling back vanished. I worried that occupying a patient’s space might be against the rules, but a good snuggle seemed worth the risk of getting nudged out by a nurse, or worse, of breaking the bed. We held hands in the sweet way that couples do when reveling in the early wonder of it all. And, whispering so as to avoid upsetting his forlorn neighbor with our sappiness, we confessed how good it felt to see each other.
The doctor suspected that Josh’s mysterious pain might be related to his pancreas, but nothing was confirmed. One thing was clear—he hadn’t exactly been taking great care of himself as of late. There had been a series of celebratory events piled one atop the other, including a good friend’s wedding and a cabin weekend with the guys. Plus, Josh was recently under-employed, so he was a 29-year-old guy with too much time on his hands, an appreciation of beer, and a great Minneapolis address. Maybe, just maybe, this health scare was a wake-up call that he could use a little more clean living. And a nice girlfriend.
It had only been a week since Josh and I had tested the more-than-friends waters, and I’m sure his parents were surprised to find me sitting on his hospital bed when they came to visit. We’d probably met at a college basketball game, but it had been at least ten years. Like me, Josh was obviously blessed in the parent department, and I felt lucky to have crossed paths with them so early in our—dare I say—relationship.
Naturally, I was worried about Josh, but as I walked through the hospital parking ramp later that night, I might have had a big old smile on my face. Without a doubt, this had been the strangest first date ever, but in a sense, it was also the best. Life doesn’t get more authentic than this, and I, for one, wanted nothing less.
What’s up with Jen’s comment? Rude!
You’re probably right about the calling-the-parents thing. My roommate and I had a small apartment fire a couple of years ago, and I convinced her we shouldn’t call our parents until we knew for sure where we were going to spend the night. They were too far away to help, so no since worrying them that their daughters were going to be homeless (since we weren’t going to be).
Ronnica´s last blog ..At Least One of Us Was Good That Year
That’s funny. I’m really close to my parents, but I admit that I’ve kept something a secret so as not to worry them (this story will come up on my blog eventually). Thanks for the visit!
The fact that someone will actually date you and you divorced before 30 is a blessing. I would never!
Stopping over from SITS.
My first reaction, of course, was AWWWW. Although it is my first time here, I can understand the relief you must have felt that he didn’t have a bogus date ditching sickness. And the hospital first date is a great story. Hopefully you’ll be telling that one for a long time.
And fabric room dividers in no way constitute privacy.
It was a pleasure visiting.
Mrsbear´s last blog ..Chatting Up the Grandparents on a Saturday
Thanks for visiting! I like it when the blog elicits an AWWWW.
I loved this, as usual, and at the end I got a little zing of hair-standing-on-end wonderfulness.
Blissed-Out Grandma´s last blog ..Terrorists, vasectomies, and March Madness
I must not be that independent because my mom would have been the first person I called. I call her when I have a cold. lol. People think you have to go all out on dates but it how you spend time together not what you do.
Adrienne´s last blog ..Are You Jealous or Frustrated?
Ha! I know–I call my mom even when I don’t have a cold. I think she must sometimes wonder what I want.
Hope Josh is up and out soon so that you can get back to what you started!
Sandy´s last blog ..Even at 15 Years Old I Knew Better
Thanks for your comments! The period I’m writing about right now actually happened three years ago. I guess you’ll have to keep reading to find out.
It certainly makes for a good story! Wow!
Scraps´s last blog ..Cunning with Scissors
Thanks for the visit. I like your witty post title!
Aw, this is a sweet post, I love the story.
Jolene´s last blog ..When you can walk outside barefoot and a tank top.
Thanks, Jolene! I am sooo behind in responding to comments. You seem to be so on top of things w/ your blogging. How do you manage?
Cool story. I wish you two luck!
franticmommy´s last blog ..I Stole This Idea from Stesha, who stole it from U.S. Weekly, or maybe People Magazine
Thanks for visiting! I know a few other frantic mommies.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Nellyn´s last blog ..It’s SITS Day!!!
I cannot tell you how many times, in watching (reading?) this unfold, I have said something to the effect of SQWEEEE!
Ariel´s last blog ..Missing
Thanks, Ariel. I am glad that I’m keeping your attention!
He does have wonderful parents. I <3 Rose.
Love your blog, Emma!
Thanks for all of your comment love! I really do appreciate it!