Check Please!

I was at a trade show for work and started chatting with a girl at the booth next door.  She was excited that I live in Chicago because her husband’s best friend was moving to the city. The next thing she asked was if I was dating someone?  I replied with my usual, no one to bring home to Mom.  She said would you mind going out with him when he moves to town?  Of course, always up for an adventure.

This gentleman called to set up a date.  As my schedule was full that weekend, we landed on a Sunday afternoon brunch.  Since he is new to town, it was up to me to pick a place to dine.  I chose a great little corner restaurant/bar a couple of blocks from my house.

He came to my place to pick me up and he seemed like a nice guy. We walked to this restaurant and proceeded to have a casual lunch with two beers each (nothing crazy).

Our lunch plates were cleared and we were continuing our conversation.  Out of nowhere, my date said, I think I swallowed something wrong as he patted his chest a bit.  Thinking nothing of it (and noting that he wasn’t even eating anymore), I continued talking. 

All of a sudden, he puts his hand over his mouth and subsequently throws up all over the table.  He had this startled look on his face (only second to mine).  He somehow froze in place. 

I suggested to him that he might want to go to the bathroom.  He excused himself and went to the bathroom to start the clean-up process.

I sat there thinking to myself; I haven’t involuntarily thrown up since I was a baby.  There is some sort of warning sign that typically precedes the event.  It would have seemed even a little more understandable if he was running to the bathroom as it happened but nope, right on the table.

He came back from the bathroom saying I have never been so embarrassed in all my life.  Being the good date, I said, check please (just kidding), I said, oh, it can happen to anyone.  I know that he was hoping I would forget what happened, but in my mind, that is something you can’t really unsee.

He did call to go out again but a second date never happened.

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Lesson Learned?  There are some things you will never recover from on a first date.