Take My Hand Read Online Free PDF Page B

did.

 
    **********

 
    Jared and I chatted for almost two hours and
it soon became pretty effortless. In all honesty he did most of the
talking but I’m pretty sure I held my own. Eventually I found myself rambling
on without even needing to pre-empt my next words.
    Jared has a degree in media studies and he
explained in detail what that entailed. I still have absolutely no idea. I
briefly went on to discuss my own fast approaching studies and what I hoped to
gain from them but quickly changed the subject in case I was boring him. His
parents are both doctors and his younger sister has just completed the
foundation stage of her police training so it sounds like he comes from quite
an intellectual family. He asked me about my own family but again I didn’t go
into too much detail. I don’t have anything to say that would paint such a
glowing picture of my parents and I didn’t want him to think badly of them.
They’re still my parents and although they have flaws, I love them dearly.
    When the pub crowd started picking up we
headed out for something to eat. There was a Pizza Hut within walking distance
so we went there because Jared had been drinking. My brother will be pleased to
know Jared does in fact drive and is the proud owner of a flashy BMW. I just know Chris’s next question will be ‘does he have points on his licence?’ but
come on… how do you pop that into general conversation with an almost stranger?
    We were just finishing up the large,
stuffed-crust pepperoni we were sharing when Jared’s phone rang, interrupting
us. Jared was silent while a very audible voice on the other end of the line
seemed to be ranting on in his ear. Then Jared made that grunting/laugh sound
again (that was so not an attractive noise) before biting on his bottom
lip to try and stop any more sounds from escaping.
    “Sorry, mate. You’re right it’s not funny.
It’s fuckin’ hilarious! Ah, come on, mate I’m just messing with you… Jesus…
three weeks! Um, sure… Grab what you can and I’ll make my way home to let you
in… sure, mate… No worries… Bye.”
    “Something wrong?” I asked curiously, hoping
that wouldn’t be classed as prying. How long do you need to know a stranger for
before you can ask about their personal phone calls?
    “Nothing serious. For me anyway. My
mate’s got a burst pipe – his flat’s totally flooded and needs a place to
crash for a couple of weeks. Looks like I’ve been landed with the role of
putting him up while his landlord sorts the place out.” I nodded in
acknowledgement. “So I’m really sorry but I’m gonna have to get going.” I think
I breathed my first comfortable breath in over three hours.
    “Of course. That’s fine. You go.” And it
really was fine. Jared was a nice lad who was becoming increasingly
easier to talk to but nevertheless it was an overwhelming experience and I was
more than a little relieved it was coming to a close. “Hope your friend gets
things sorted.”
    “Me too,” he replied, rising from his chair.
“I’m not used to sharing my space.” I stood up along with him and pulled out my
purse to settle our bill. I wasn’t sure how things like this worked on dates.
Was it old-fashioned to assume the guy would pay? “Put that away,” he ordered,
shaking his head and letting his bleached-blonde fringe slap across his
forehead. “This is on me.”
    “Thanks,” I replied shyly, stuffing my purse
back in my handbag. “I had a really good time,” I added, because it was true.
Despite the initial apprehension it definitely went better than expected.
    “Me too. I’d love to do it again sometime.”
    “Sure. Me too,” I agreed, lying just a teeny
bit. I really did have a good time but after just one evening I wasn’t anywhere
near cured of my social phobia. I suppose I’m exaggerating a little. I’m not scared about meeting new people – I just don’t know how to do it.
    “Great. Gimme your phone and I’ll put my
number in it.