Page 8 of Just One Chance
John was an optometrist and as earnest as Lucy in his desire to help, but David had endured enough making over for one day.
He stood. “I think I’m okay for now.” He looked around at the bags of clothing that filled the room. “I guess I’m supposed to take all of this with me?”
John nodded. “They’re organized by outfit already, so remember that when you’re adding them to your closet. I tried to pick stuff that was pretty neutral, so you can mix and match some, but if you have any doubts about whether or not stuff goes together, text me before you make any bold decisions on your own.”
David looked down at his new pants, noticing how they’d stretched and moved with his body when he’d stood up. Theywerepretty comfortable. “Are all the pants like this?” He looked at John who perked up, likely happy to have David do something besides scowl at him.
“Not exactly like that, but similar styles, yeah. I think I did get you a few pair of those in different colors. And you can dress them down, too. Wear them with a t-shirt and flip flops when you’re walking on the beach. Or put on a blazer over the shirt you’re wearing now and you’re ready for a date. You seriously can’t go wrong.”
David blinked. He wasn’t sure he trusted himself to take the pants from a beach look to a date look without John’s help, but he could at least appreciate the versatility.
“Don’t let it overwhelm you,” John said with a grin, clearly sensing his hesitation. “I promise it’ll get easier.”
Three days later, David stood in the middle of his bathroom and studied his reflection in the giant mirror that hung above his sink. He had to admit hedidlook better. He’d refused the contacts Lucy kept trying to foist on him—he liked his glasses and didn’t want to give them up—but he had agreed to try a different frame. And they were better. Hipper, without beinghipster.David wore the same magic pants he’d tried on at Lucy’s, with a light blue button down, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He looked casual, but intentional. And still like David, which was the most important part. He wouldn’t pretend to be anyone but himself, not even to impress a woman.
He glanced at his watch. The aquarium opened at nine, which meant he had seventeen minutes to get there if he wanted to be there right when the doors opened. He walked to his bedroom and sat down on the corner of his bed. Should he wait an hour? What if Avery was busy doing other things and couldn’t give him a tour after all? Should he have called and scheduled something, so she knew to clear her schedule? He pulled out his phone and texted Lucy and John in the group chat Lucy had started on makeover day.I can’t do this,he typed.Do I go now? At lunch time? What if she’s busy? Should I take her something? Flowers? What do I even say?
No flowers!Lucy immediately responded.It’s way too soon for that.
Go now,John responded.And take coffee. Coffee is easy. Nonthreatening.
Ohhh, that’s a good idea,Lucy agreed.Do that!
I don’t even know how she LIKES her coffee,David typed.Isn’t that a little presumptuous?
Just get an extra of whatever you get for yourself,John texted.Even if she doesn’t end up drinking it, she’ll remember the gesture.
David stared at his phone, wondering if he really ought to be taking dating advice from a couple who had started dating in high school and gotten married before either one of them had finished their undergrad. They weren’t exactly a typical couple. Still, they were more qualified to give advice than he was. And they were all he had.
He closed out the text thread and pulled up Google Maps, finding the closest coffee shop to the aquarium. It only added three minutes to his trip.
Standing, he slipped his phone into his pocket before moving back to the bathroom mirror for one final glance. “Hey Avery, you remember me?” he said to his reflection.
No. That was terrible.
“I was just in the neighborhood and thought you might want some coffee.”
He leaned forward. Was that spinach in his teeth?
His shoulders dropped.Stupid smoothie.After a quick floss, he squared himself to the mirror. “Hi, Avery. Great to see you. Want to show me the dolphins up close?”
His words—hisstupidwords—echoed around the bathroom.
Whatwas he doing? Who did he actually think he was?
In one swift motion, he tossed his new glasses onto the bathroom counter, and stormed into his bedroom where he grabbed his old frames from his nightstand drawer. He shoved them onto his face, feeling at once more comfortable, and headed out the front door.
Baby steps,he thought to himself. New clothes today; maybe he’d wear the new frames tomorrow.
Chapter 3
“Hey,Avery?”
Avery turned to see her friend, Shelley, one of the ticket receptionists who worked out front, standing in her office doorway. “Hey. What’s up?” she asked.
“There’s a man out front asking for you?” Shelley shrugged. “He said something about a tour?”
“What, like he wants to book one? Is he from a school?”
