Freedom

As I sat there reminiscing, our marriage counselor, Amy, interrupted me.

Amy: "Jordyn I think you're taking it way too seriously. A simple answer will work. No pressure." She smiles.

Jordyn: "ohh wow, there are so many memories, you know. I just can't choose one."

Amy: "Here. Let me make it easier for you, how about you give me an insight of your first date with Chris, from your perspective..."

Jordyn: " The first time I met Chris was when he brought his mother to our hospital for a check up. I knew he was special the moment he walked in my office and I can confidently say he felt the same way by looking at his facial expressions. I never was the one to believe in love at first sight but what can I say some things you just can't explain. After I finished the assessment with his mother, he asked for a way to directly contact me if they ever had questions. I gave him my personal phone number and they left. As I expected, he called me the next week.

Chris-" hey Doc, I hope I'm not calling too late."

Jordyn-"who is this?"

Chris-" This is Chris. I brought my mom for...."

Jordyn- "ohh yea, I remember. Is everything okay?"

Chris- "yea yea, everything is great.” He nervously said, "I wanted to ask you something. If that's okay with you."

Jordyn- "Sure. What's up? "

Chris- " Last time when I came to your office, I really felt like we had an unexplainable connection. I wanted to see if you're cool with hanging out some time..."

Jordyn- "wow, I wasn't expecting that... You seem like a fun person too. When and where do you want to hang out?"

Chris- " I honestly didn't even think about where we're going. Is there a specific place that you like or do you want me to pick?"

Jordyn-" Not really. you can pick the place and text it to me. I'm off on sundays. So... is this a date?

Chris-"It is. See you on sunday?"

Jordyn- "okay, see you."

Saturday evening, I received a text message from Chris. It said, " I reserved a table for us at Brio Italian Grille for 5:30."

The next day, we met up at Brios.

Chris: " So, how have you been?"

Jordyn: "I've been good, just busy with work. Yesterday I left work at midnight. Can you believe that?"

Chris: "Wow, that's crazy. You're such a strong and ambitious woman though. I don't have to know you that much to see that.

"

Jordyn: "Oh my God, stop. I'm blushing right now, if you haven't noticed."

We were so into the conversation to the point we forgot to place our order. He called the waitress to our table. I decided to get the Grilled Salmon Fresca with fries on the side. Chris got the Grilled Chicken Marsala with mashed potato and we both got a simple salad for our appetizers. The waitress asked what we would like for drinks.

Jordyn: “ Can I get hot water with lemon?

Chris: “Why don’t you have some wine with me?”

Jordyn: “I’m not big on alcohol Chris.”

Chris: “ Come on it’s just a glass,you’ll be fine.

He smiled and added, “I can drive you home if necessary.”

Jordyn: “ Ow you got jokes huh? okay that’s fine.”

Chris: “Can we get two six ounce glasses of Merlot wine?”

Waitress: “Sure, anything else?”

Chris: “That’s it for now, thank you.”

Waitress: “My pleasure.”

After the waitress left, we started talking about our families and we realized how we have a lot of things in common. Our food came and we ate.

Jordyn: “Ugh… why did they make the fries so greasy today? I can’t get it off with the tissue. I’m going to go wash my hands. I’ll be right back.”

Chris: “Yea sure, take your time.”

As I was washing my hands, one of the waitresses came into the restroom bursting with tears. She was saying, “I can’t do this anymore!” repeatedly. I asked what was wrong and she didn't reply to me, she kept crying.

I have never been in this type of situation before, so I didn’t know what to say. I read the name batch on her uniform and it said Spencer.

Jordyn: “Spencer, please tell me what’s wrong. I might be able to help you.Nobody deserves to feel this way.”

Spencer: “I’m just tired of life you know. Everyone treats me like I’m nothing, maybe they’re right.”

I told her about how I struggled as a biracial woman in the medical field and how I rose above all the negativity people were throwing at me. She finally stopped crying and I helped her fix herself. My phone started ringing. I realized Chris sent me several messages before he called. I declined the call and told Spencer I had to go.

As I went back to our table, Chris was on his phone and he looked up as he saw me coming back from the restroom.

Chris: “Are you okay?”

Jordyn: “You have no idea what happened in the restroom. This girl was crying her eyes out. I couldn’t leave her there. I was trying to comfort her.”

Chris: “Oh wow, I was worried.” He sarcastically said, “I thought you left me cause you weren’t feeling the date.”

Jordyn: I smiled and said, “No, I wouldn’t do you like that.”

Chris: “This is the most iconic date I ever had.”

Jordyn: “Me too. Did you get us more wine? My glass looks fuller.”

Chris: “yea, I had a second glass so I told them to pour some for you too.”

We spent hours talking about literally everything and Chris realized the restaurant closes at 10.

Chris: “I think they are closing in a few minutes, let’s finish our drinks, so we can leave.”

Jordyn: “ Really? I feel like we’ve only been here for an hour.”

Chris: “Me too, this was so much fun. We should do this more often.”

Jordyn: “ We really should. Chris to be honest, I don’t know if it’s because this is my first time finishing a glass of wine or because I'm light headed, but I might want you to drive me home. I’m feeling kind of dizzy.”

We both started laughing so loud to the point people were turning around and looking at us like we’re crazy.

Chris: “ I’ll drive you home, that's the safest option.”

Jordyn: "Ok, thanks.”

He drove me home and the last thing I remember is waking up next to him on my bed.

My marriage counselor Amy interrupted again and asked, “So, you guys had sex on the first date?”

Jordyn: “I know that doesn’t sound like me Amy but things happen you know. I was too drunk to know what I was doing. I was really mad at myself that day for doing something that goes against my life values; but I don’t have any regrets now because I couldn’t ask for a much better partner. That’s why we’re here today. It’s been three years since we got married but we are having some communication issues. We both value our relationship and we're willing to do the necessary work to save our marriage.”

Amy: “I hear you Jordyn and I’m sorry if you thought I was judging you when I asked the previous question. That is the opposite of my job. I I actually want to speak to you alone for a few minutes. Chris do you mind waiting in the lobby?”

Chris: “Um… sure.”

Amy: “Thank you.”

Chris left the room and Amy gave me an intense stare. I smiled and asked her if I was in trouble. Amy replied with a serious face.

Amy: “Jordyn, I need you to answer my questions as honestly as you can.”

Jordyn: “Okay Amy. You’re making me nervous.”

Amy: “ Do you or do you not remember going into your apartment and having sexual intercouse with Chris?”

Jordyn: “I told you earlier. I was too drunk. I only remember waking up next to him.”

Amy: “Okay, so you said you mixed the wine with coke and you only had one glass, correct?”

Jordyn: “Correct, Amy where is this going?”

Amy: “One more thing, before you went to the restroom how much of the wine did you have and were you feeling drunk?”

Jordyn: “I didn’t feel anything and the glass was below half when I left.”

Amy: Jordyn, I hate to tell you this but again it’s part of my job to help you become aware of certain things. Chris might have drugged you in order to sleep with you.”

Jordyn: “ What? Why would he drug me when I didn’t refuse to have sex with him? Make this make sense.”

Amy: “I don’t know why, that’s probably something you should ask him but what I do know is you are less likely to be that drunk with the amount of wine you consumed and something about the waitress crying in the restroom and the fries being too greasy doesn’t sit well with me. You told me the wine was fuller when you came back from the restroom, why would you think that happened? Was he trying to hide the chemicals he poured into your drink, stop getting emotional and think about it. I’m here for you not against you.”

There was a long awkward silence and I suddenly remembered what happened two years ago in front of Chris’s workplace.

Jordyn: “Amy you know how Chris works at Chase Bank as a software engineer. Two years ago, I went there to pick him up, so we can check out the houses our realtor recommended. I saw that same girl in the restroom, walking out of the bank. The moment he got in the car, I told him what happened but he changed the subject and asked me what time the appointment was. Oh my God you might be right. I will literally murder him if this is true.”

I started crying and getting loud. Amy was trying to calm me down.

Amy: “Jordyn stop. You can’t say you will murder him. Are you willing to throw away your entire future for something that’s not worth it? Things like this happen to women all the time. I am going to call him in here so he can explain his perspective.”

I ran out of the office and started yelling at him.

Jordyn: “Did you or did you not drug me on our first date?”

I can see the guilt in his eyes. He started stuttering.

Chris: “What are you talk...ing about? Wh..y would I do that?”

Jordyn: “Chris don’t lie to me, if you tell me the truth I won’t leave you. We will figure things out together.”

Chris paused for a second, scared to say anything. Then he finally started telling the truth.

Chris: “ I’m sorry Jordyn, I was young and dum. I thought maybe if we slept together, I would have a chance with you. All the women I have dated before, blocked me after our first date. I really liked you and I didn’t want to lose you.”

Jordyn: “I knew it. You stupid physco. How long did it take you plan this shit, huh? How much did you pay the waitress to act like that? You thought sleeping with you was the reason I stayed? I actually liked your personality and now I know your personality is a stunt too. I can’t believe you had the guts to lie to me all these years. Expect divorce papers soon. I’m done.”

He started crying and running after me. Amy told him to stop chasing me before she called the police, so he stood there shockingly watching me get on the elevator. I don’t know why but I actually felt more happy than sad. I don't know the exact word to express exactly how I feel right now. The only word I can think of is freedom.