The Perfect First Date, Almost Wasn't

Have you ever kicked yourself, because you missed an opportunity that would have changed your life?  I would still be kicking myself, if Lacye wouldn't have saved my butt on the day of our first date.

After Lacye gave her phone number to me, we started talking on a daily basis; and, we finally agreed to go out at 7 P.M., on a January Saturday night.  I was coaching a youth soccer team, called the Friendswood Arsenal, which was in a tournament, that day.  The tournament ended with a dramatic comeback by our boys, that led to a big after-tournament celebration with the team parents.  After the pizza and pitcher celebration, the team parent that I rode with, dropped me off (safely) at home; and since I had been coaching all day, I took a nap.
I woke up around 6 P.M. to the ringing telephone.  The conversation went something like this- Lacye: "Sam? Did you forget about our date, tonight?"  Me: "Um, No!  I was just jumping into the shower.  I'll call before I leave to get directions to your house."  Lacye: "I was starting to think you were going to stand me up."  Me: "No way, Lacye. I'll call you in just a few minutes."
I bolted out of bed, to the shower, dressed myself and called Lacye in about 20 minutes!  I was like Bruce Wayne rushing to the Bat Cave, after a call from the Bat Phone.  I ran outside to the worst weather, ever.  It was about 40 degrees, and it was raining cats and dogs.  I jumped into my trusty (more like rusty) white, 1983 Toyota pickup truck that we lovingly named "The Lightning Bolt," and hurried to pick up Lacye at her house.
When I arrived at the Brymer house, I sprinted to the front door, collected myself, then rang the doorbell.
Lacye answered the door, and invited me in to meet The Parents.  Inside, I met two of the coolest people in Tom and Carolyn Brymer.  We talked about our plans to go to dinner and a movie, and the exact time of her curfew.  I promised to keep her safe and sound, and also to return before curfew (just to impress); and away we went in the Lightning Bolt.
I was pretty nervous, which was very uncharacteristic of me on a date; so, I turned on my trusty cassette player.  Poison's "Nothing But A Good Time" was playing a bit loud; so, I started to turn down the volume.  Lacye asked, "Do you like Poison?"  I said, "Yes, I do."  The next words from her mouth were literally music to me ears.  "I love them!  They're one of my favorite bands!"  Right then, the nervousness that I had melted away, and we talked and sang all the way to the movies.  We watched Cape Fear, and had a great time scaring each other, during the most intense parts of the movie.
After the movie, we braved the downpour, to Chili's, where the date reached near perfection.  We entered Chili's, and that place seemed to turn into my own personal Cheers, where everybody knows your name.  Before we could be seated, I was called over to three different booths, by my friends who just happened to be there, too.  I met Lacye at the table, and she smiled at me and asked, "Do you know everyone, here?"  All I could do was laugh and shake my head (no!) in disbelief.  That very second, a couple was being seated across the isle from us; and, the next thing we hear is, "Sammy!"  We were both shocked at that moment; and from there, the date was as smooth as silk.  We talked, joked, laughed, and smiled at each other the rest of the dinner.
Once dinner was over, I drove Lacye back home, singing and talking the whole way in the rain.  I walked her to the door, and all of that nervousness that had melted away came back like a tidal wave!  We stood and talked, until that awkward moment filled the air.  I had this internal battle for just a moment: "Kiss her!"  "No! Don't kiss her!"  I just froze in my boots, until Lacye bid me goodnight, reached across, and gave me the sweetest, most welcoming hug.  I asked if we could go out, again, next weekend, and she said, "Yes."  Lacye smiled, turned around, and walked inside.
I slowly walked back through the freezing rain to my truck, and sat inside for a second.  Dripping with rain, and soaking the Bolt's interior, I reached up and smacked myself in the forehead for not kissing Lacye, but most of all for almost missing out on the perfect first date.