Humans logo

Red Flag Date

Online Dating Nightmare

By Deborah PortilloPublished 6 years ago 5 min read
Like
Photo by Alex on Unsplash

Have you ever been encouraged to go on a blind date? Maybe you were merely pressured to join an online dating site, because you friends felt as though you were alone on the weekends while your children were spending their weekends with their father.

Well, this was my position in 2009; talk about #MyWorstDate. I had just found out that my recent partner had been have other sexual relations with another woman, and basically had been meaning to break up with me; he just didn't know how to break it off completely.

His excuse for this new relationship was, “Every time we try to go out and do something, one of the kids seem to end up getting sick or something,” he said.

“They’re with him; why can’t he take care of them? They are his responsibility on the weekends,” he stated. Of course, by this point, I was in my oh, really, mood, and then responded, “Well, maybe it’s not him, maybe it’s my kids that don’t want to be with him.”

I ended breaking things off. It was difficult for a bit, but I after three months I got over it. Started just doing things I wanted when the kids were with their father, and then my friends decided I needed to start dating again.

My friend Lorena informed me about a site she met her husband on, and she even assisted me with signing up.

“Just have fun,” she said. “Who knows, you might meet the guy that’s right for you.”

So, I tried it. First date was horrible. I guess it was my fault in a way, because if a person’s profile picture is one that displays him at a distance, then I guess I should have taken that into in consideration of false advertisement.

Throughout the week I had been chatting up with this guy. This date was so bad; I don’t even remember his name. He described himself as smart, outgoing, 6’1 and generous. He said he didn't have any better pictures of himself when I asked to see another photo.

I should have taken the hint something was not right. By Thursday afternoon we had come up with a plan to meet up for coffee at local Starbucks Saturday afternoon. By Friday, I was convinced into meeting him close by his area; a twenty minute drive from my area, but I agreed. Friday evening, I was then convinced to meet up with guy Saturday night versus afternoon due to his work schedule. Once again, I agreed.

That evening as I got ready for this date; that I was now debating over, he sent me the address of the Starbucks coffee shop he wanted me to meet him at. Once I talked myself into finally going, I got into my charcoal grey 2005 Honda Accord, and slowly drove to Riverside. When I got to my destination, I parked my, and texted him that I was there.

He had responded, “I am here as well, come inside.”

I got out of my car as he came walking out of the door, asking “D’Ann?”

“Yes, that’s me,” I replied. I instantly regretted my choice of joining the online dating scene, and most I regretted even coming to this date. I don’t know if I was having an anxiety attack, or if I my body was giving me “red flag” signals. He was nothing like he described. He did seem smart, but was shorter and petite compared to his description and photo.

Let’s say he was maybe 5’9 compared to 6’1. He had mentioned he was from South Africa, yet he looked as though he may have been from India. Our date was scheduled for 9 o’clock at night. Being a Starbucks and all, I figured they would close late around eleven, or so.

No, unfortunately with my luck, they closed at 10 pm. There were no tables outside to sit and talk, and I then learned that he had gotten a ride to the date. Yes, you guessed it. We had to sit in my car and talk, in which eventually a security car pulled up beside my car, rolled down his window, and said, “You have to take your talking elsewhere.”

So, I pulled out the parking lot as my date was giving me directions to where I could go to park to talk more; which he then offered to go back to his place. I quickly responded, “No, let’s go somewhere public.”

By this time I am so over this date, and just want to go back to my warm comfy apartment. After he questioned, “Do you think there will be another date?”

My nerves really spiked at this point, I was so overwhelmed with my red flag signals. I pulled into a burger king parking lot, then parked my car and honestly replied, “I am sorry, I think this date was a bad idea.”

He then asked, “Is it because I don’t look like my picture?”

I replied, “For one your picture was at a distance that I couldn't get a good view. You then refused to provide a better quality picture. After all this driving around, I just think its better we end the night.”

I expected him to get upset, but he actually replied, "Very well, if you change your mind,” he said as he quickly exited my car.

I quickly locked the passenger door, reversed the car out my parking spot and drove forward out of the parking lot. He must have known the area, for he was walking away from the Burger King in the opposite direction. I never heard from him again. The next day I called my friend Lorena and told her all about my interesting date.

“Yeah, that date wasn't a good one, maybe the next one will be better,” she said. I didn't go on any other online dating sites until 2011, when another friend encouraged me to. This friend even offered to do double dates with me. As of today, I am married to my best friend’s nephew and online dating will not be used by me any time soon.

dating
Like

About the Creator

Deborah Portillo

I’m just an amateur writer, expressing my hopes, dreams, and nightmares for all to read. A lot of my short stories come from nightmares, while my poems are expressed from hopes, dreams, and feelings.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.