Kendra...

You know how you get on a bike after years of not riding and somehow still remember how to ride it? Well, dating is the same way. The compliments, flirty jokes and getting-to-know-you conversations were still the same. That part of the date was awkward, always had been for me. I always found myself stuttering and mispronouncing words. Fortunately, that didn't last long. My date and I found ourselves in many healthy, fun debates. It was impossible to not end up there when a journalist and political analyst were in the same room. It may not seem like a normal date activity, but I was enjoying it.

"I think you've been around too many politicians. You're starting to sound just like them," I joked

"That's a good thing as far as I'm concerned."

"How is that a good thing?" I asked, "Politicians are more hated than Isis."

He laughed, "You might actually be right about that. But it's a good thing because I want to be a politician one day."

My insides tightened.

"A politician huh?"

"Yeah," he answered, "My grandfather was a loved mayor of my hometown. He wanted to make politics an ongoing thing in our family, but my father was not having it and went into music instead. So, I thought I'd be the one to continue my grandfather's little legacy and take it beyond our small town."

"Wow, that's nice," I lied

His father was looking more appealing than him at this point.

"I plan on staying here for the next few years, save some money, make some important connections and then go back home and start my political career."

"Well that seems like a good plan," I said, trying to show interest

Could he tell that I didn't care?

Apparently, he can't. He keeps going on and on about his plans for becoming a politician. I listened, widening my eyes and saying "wow" at the important parts. I wanted to be open, wanted to give this man a chance. He was a great guy, and definitely my type. But it was hard to get over this. My mind kept going back to that day in Anthony's yard, with his nosey ass mother peeping through the window. I didn't want to go through that again.

'Maybe he was different,' said that hopeless romantic voice in my head that oddly sounded just like Iris, 'Maybe he's the guy who won't put his career over you.'

I was about to entertain my thoughts when he said something I couldn't feign interest.

"My future wife would be on the road campaigning with me and at home with the kids."

"So, you'd prefer a wife at home?" I asked, hoping he wouldn't disappoint me

"Well, isn't that her place?"

My brows rose. Did he really just say that? He saw my reaction and tried to explain his view.

"I mean, I just don't think a woman should be working," he said, "She has qualities that are needed for more important things."

"Like what? Raising children?"

"Exactly," he said, seemingly thinking I was on his side

"What about me? I work. Do you think I shouldn't be?"

"Well, you don't really have a choice. You have a son to take care of on your own. But if this were to go anywhere..." he said pointing between us. I hope he knew by now it wouldn't be going anywhere, "You wouldn't have to work."

"But what if I wanted to?"

"Why would you want to? You'll have me to take care of everything."

"I really like my job, I wouldn't want to leave it."

"But I'd be making the money."

"It's not simply about money for some women," I began, "Some want to make a difference in the world, be of service to people who aren't a husband or a child, to do something important."

"But running a household is very important."

"True."

"Plus men already do that stuff."

"So a woman can't do it too?"

"I don't see the need for them to."

I sat there dumbfounded. Now, everyone was entitled to their own opinion, I just preferred to not date someone with those kinds of opinions.

"Can you excuse me for a minute?" he asked

"Sure," I quickly answered, I needed some space from him

He got up and headed to the restroom. Once he turned the corner and was no longer in sight, I took a huge gulp of my drink.

"I guess that didn't go too well," I heard

I looked up and was graced with the smiling face of Eli. He was wearing a leather jacket and an oddly tight grey T-shirt underneath. You know, the kind of tight where you saw well-defined muscles bulging. I tried not to stare.

"Is it that obvious?" I asked

"Yep," he answered taking the empty seat "Plus Greg's dates don't always end well"

"You know him?" I asked

"Yeah, he went to college with Alex and I," he informed "He's always had those...outdated opinions that didn't work well with girls in college."

"So this 'the woman's place is in the home' thing isn't new?"

He shook his head in response, "I've been trying to convince him otherwise for years, but, obviously, I haven't succeeded."

"I wish someone had told me this before I wasted my time coming here."

"What was Alex even thinking? When he said he hooked Greg up with a date, I thought he found some gold digger somewhere that would lay up in the house and happily let him do all the work," he explained, "We know better than to set him up with an actual working woman."

"I don't think Alex was thinking when he agreed to this," I say pointing over to him and Iris who seemed lost in each other

I was pretty sure Alex just picked a random friend to send me on a date with just to impress Iris.

"He probably wasn't," he said watching the two interact "Doesn't this lovey-dovey stuff bother you on some level?"

"Immensely," I say "I mean, I'm happy for her but..."

"But it's still weird and annoying," he finished and I nodded "It's kinda entertaining too. He doesn't usually act like this so I take every opportunity to call him whipped."

"You're a bad friend," I joked

"He's used to it," he waved off

I spot Greg making his way back to the table, and my excitement drops.

"He's coming back," I told Eli before leaning forward before whispering, "Don't leave me."

"Don't worry, you can do this," he said before taking my hand and squeezing it "You are an independent woman whose place is not in the home."

Was that a tingle I felt in my hand?

I quickly nodded, as if inspired by his words, when all I wanted to do was laugh.

He got up just as Greg arrived.

"Eli, what are you doing here?" he asked

"Just came to hang out with Alex. Saw a coworker and thought I should come over and say hi," he said looking at me

"Oh right, you work at Cooper's too."

"Yeah, so I guess I'll leave you two to finish your little date," Eli said

Greg sat down and the date resumed, but now it was obvious that things weren't going anywhere. Fifteen minutes later he got up, said goodnight and left. There was no talk about a second date and for that, I was thankful. I got up from my seat once he was gone and made my way to the giggling couple. I was surprised Iris even noticed me coming.

"So how did it go?" she asked

"Don't ever, in your life, set me up on a blind date again!" I said

"Was it that bad?"

I ignored her question, I could not get into the events of the night with her now.

"I'm going home to my son," I said walking away

"Kendra!" she called but I kept walking

"Bye!" I said not looking back

That's the last time I let her do something like that to me. 

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Don't forget to leave a comment and vote. It's been way too long, and I'm sorry about that. Been slacking lately. Need to step my game up. Hopefully, a new chapter will be up next week.