DATE NIGHT in LIFE OF A D.O.M. WIDOWER LIVING ON THE NJ SHORE

I went out on a first date last night. I felt as if I were in a LaCare novel as I sat at the bar in a quite classy restaurant fingering my identification, a rolled newspaper under my right arm. text** Every time the door from the parking lot opened I snapped to complete attention. This was out first meeting and we both had only seen photos of each other online. I was dressed in a gray button down shirt with white stripes and beige slacks. I had on a charcoal gray cashmere sport jacket I was freshly shaved and had marinated in Roger and Gallet La Homme Special cologne. Then she arrived and floated into the room wearing a wool suit of Kelly Green setting off her red hair. She extended her hand and said " Tom" and I said Gloria " and the unseen orchestra started playing romantic show tunes. We stayed at the bar and she ordered a cabernet and we started to get acquainted while our table was being readied. She was very well kinown there and I was introduced to the Matre D, the owner and the bartender as " my friend Tom ." About 1/2 hour later we were shown to our table and presented with menus. Gloria ordered roasted Boar and I had crispy scallops. We passed on salads but did each snack on fresh Italian bread that was still warm from the oven. The waiter freshened my Arnold Palmer. We were eating slowly savoring both the food and the conversation we were having getting to know each other. It was comfortable and revealing to each other as more and more was revealed about ourselves. I found myself becoming more and more drawn to her and responding with more and more about myself. Time flew by and empty desert plated joined empty coffee cups on the table. Strangely we found that we had a mutual happening our lives revolving about politics. We both had stood for reelection to a elected office and lost. I lost a Municipal Council election and she a State Senator office. Gloria and I consoled each other. This woman impressed me with her intelligence, demeanor, dress and grace. We reluctantly parted in the parking lot and went our own ways. It was snowing lightly but the ride home was just sheer pleasure because of how the evening had gone. I was grinning widely as the brief touch of her lips lingered on my cheek. This will definitely have further meetings I hope.