There is not a shade of color and Joe just said the sunrise took his breath away. It is me. And I don't participate in conversations except for the ones I have with myself in my head and when I talk back to the TV or computer. Although talking to an inanimate object probably does not count. It has been almost too long since I had a real conversation with anyone. However, Joe has been making in roads to my heart which is pounding and my head says RUN. My cheeks are flushed and I imagine with a dark shade of pink. I make myself sit down and I close my eyes feeling his eyes upon me. He is waiting for me to say something. Maybe I should ask about his dream. No that would make both of us too vulnerable.
"Joe, would you like to grab a cup of coffee?"
"I would like that." Looking at his watch he continues, "we even have time to sit down and talk."
Walking across the street to the cafe, I am wondering what in the world am I thinking. I don't sit in the cafe! I don't hang out with people! If I don't run now, this could lead to having lunch or something. Wait, I was the one who asked to go get coffee. Breathe Aisli, I remind myself. OK, just tell him you want to get it to go. "Do you mind if we just get the coffee to go?"
"Not at all. I would rather be outside anyway. We can bring it back to the dock and chat on the way."
Oh man. Maybe I can just do my best to listen and let Joe do all the 'chatting.'