Not Stealing Hearts

Back in my college days, I agreed to go on a date with the friend of my very sweet next door neighbor Tom. His friend was kinda cute and had a bit of the bad boy look to him and we agreed to a double date. The four of us made the 45-minute drive to the city to see a free movie at a popular historical site. I had wanted to see this movie for a while, but I was not happy with my date’s behavior: walking on the seats at the 100-year old theater, loud complaining and inappropriate laughing, which eventually forced an usher to come and ask him to please quiet down. After the movie, we worked our way downstairs where there was a wedding reception going on.  Since parking is an issue downtown, we had parked across the street at a mall. This wedding reception offered free validation to its guests. So while the three of us stood there mortified, my date crashed the reception, grabbing some food and a validation pass on the way.

As we were making our way to car, we passed a sporting goods store and my date said he needed to pick up a bike part. Being pretty annoyed with him by now, I opted to wait at the front of the store. About 10 minutes later, he came back saying they were out of the part he needed so we went to the car. I was ready to go home, but the other couple wanted to go to dinner at a local pizza joint. On the way there, my date noted that he only had $20 for dinner, saying, “So you can’t order a drink and we’re gonna have to share.” I told him I’d pay for myself and he acted all pissed, like I was hurting his manhood. As he pulled out his wallet to pay, he also revealed a small bike part still in its packaging. Yup, that’s right. He had stolen it. On a date. This knowledge and confrontation of the theft led to a very awkward and silent 45-minute drive home. At my door, he grabbed me and kissed me, sticking his tongue down my throat. Resisting the urge to vomit, I wordlessly opened the door and slammed it.

He called a few times after, but I never returned them. A few weeks later, my roommate had to watch court proceedings for her criminal justice class. She watched his trial for stealing $400 worth of CD’s from Kmart. Needless to say, I never saw him again.