The birthday boy

We met at one of the finer restaurants in town. I had actually met this guy a few times in the past. He tells me that he, "always liked" me but I was married so he kept it to himself. Okay, good boy. He is much older than I am and I was under the impression we were just going out as friends or acquaintances. We sit down at the table, ordered drinks, and he says, "today is my birthday." "Really?" I say, half-way not believing him. "Happy birthday." I order the infamous white dove that I like so much, he orders a soda-pop. Then we go through the what is that drink scenario that I go through so many friggin' times. Pretty soon I am going to start drinking water on dates. "It is a white dove," I reply, ever so sweetly. Then he wants to taste it. I pluck his straw from his glass and put it in my drink so he doesn't dare try to use mine. Then he looks at me with shock and asks, "Is there alcohol in that drink?" "Yeah, a little bit." I responded, I should have told him, "yeah, but not enough".

The waitress is willing to take our order now that we are ready. Both of us order steak, it comes with fresh bread, soup, and a salad before the main course. Half the bread is gone when the soup arrives at the table. He swallows straight half the soup and puts it aside for the waitress and the salads are brought to us. I am still working on the soup. "Please wait a little bit before bringing our dinners out." I ask the waitress. "Sure, no problem.", she says as she smiles and whisks aways with her blond hair in flight like a kite behind her. The human trash compactor inhales his salad in minutes. No talking just bite and swallow.

As I continue to enjoy my soup and start on my salad he says in a very disappointed tone. "I wish you hadn't asked her to take longer to bring out our dinners." I responded, "Sorry, everything was just coming out so fast." He looks at me as if I completely missed out on a news flash, and says, "Yeah but I like steak that is why I was hurrying to get through the other stuff. I want to eat my steak." Has he never eaten a meal before in his life? I remained silent and continued with my salad. Light green lettuce, dark green spinach, that weired shaped purple thing, bright red tomatoes, crisp bacon bits, white ranch dressing with black pepper on top. Mmmm, so beautiful and so good. What.. huh... yeah, oh the date, I was trying to forget he was there. Worried about his steak and all. Guys, you shouldn't lie to a woman but it never hurts to pretend that you are a civilised human being.

The steak makes its grand appearance and I might add looks incredibly delicious. Half way through my steak, he is already finished with his. I have had plenty and was feeling quite full. The logical thing to do was to ask for a box to take it home for tomorrows breakfast. I ask the waitress for a to-go box and off she goes. He looked at me and asked to only all to obvious, "Are you taking that home?" "Yeah,... it will be very good with eggs in the morning." I responded. "You should finish that, it is really good." he stammered. "I know it is good but I am very full and I can't eat anymore." I told him. "Well" he began with a pause, ..."I can wait if you want to eat it slowly." No thank you, i ate too much already, I will only get sick. Thanks anyway." I said with an inquisitive look on my face. What a freak. I understand he likes steak but it seems he is a little obsessed with it. Gimme a break.

Do men intentionally show there bad attributes on first dates, or are these what they consider good attributes? Maybe they don't even realize. What is even scarier is that you know they are hiding the worst ones. This is one rabbit hole I don't want to fall down. He obviously can be controlling, can't take "no" for an answer, and focuses on instant gratification. Definitely not traits I am looking for.