by Hellen Wyeth

Created on: October 27, 2008

Falling in front of another person was the least of my troubles that night. I was going through a pretty tough break-up and being young and stupid, thought I would ease the pain with some potent drinks. My best friend and I met up at her house to decide what we should do for the night. We knew the ultimate plan, but needed to fill in the details. Her neighbor (who I found to be quite good looking and great for a conversation) wasn't home and I told her to call him to see what was going on. He was already at the bar and told us to meet him there.

Giddy like a teenage girl (and a little buzzed already) we take my car with plans to leave it overnight. At the bar he is sitting towards the back chatting with random people around him and playing pool. As we approach, he meets us half way and starts taking our drink orders. I tell him to just surprise me and make it strong. He had no problem with this task at all. It didn't take long before my dear friend was wanting to sing karaoke and I was sitting on the floor, helping someone else finish a pitcher of beer, talking about going to a party together that we would never remember to do.

The hole-in-the-wall bar is long past last call and it's time to go. My friend's neighbor helps me and my new aquaintance up off the floor to leave. The stranger goes her way, promising to call about that party, and I link arms with my friend. He walks us out towards his car. A couple paces ahead of us to make sure the car is unlocked, we approach. I stumble over my own feet with my arm still linked with my buds. Instead of grabbing the car, I grab her, and we both go down. Thank goodness my forehead caught my fall.

With a skinned up forehead and arm, my friend is yelling at me. When I took her down with me, the straps of her new shoes broke. We both get in the car and her neighbor doesn't say a word. In my inebriation, I think he didn't see a thing and I'm in the clear. In the front seat, I'm holding my head laughing while a voice in the back is yelling about her shoes. I feel stupid and ready to pass out.

It doesn't take us long to get home. Walking down the sidewalk to the apartments, I let him hold me up. My friend gives us a hug goodnight and goes to her door. I stop and look up at him and just ask for him to take me some place warm. Giving my friend a nod and her reciprocating, she goes through her front door without me. He takes me into his apartment and cuddles me up on the couch. He has been at my side ever since, almost two short years ago.

Learn more about this author, Hellen Wyeth.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.