I worked from home last Wednesday and then had four days off. I stayed home for Thanksgiving. I had my turkey meal and watched Gilmore Girls while building some Legos. I enjoyed it. Friday night, I left the house and went to Flight Club. At this point, there is usually someone there I know. On my way back from the bathroom, I noticed a pretty girl on stage. We locked eyes, and she smiled at me. I don't remember seeing her before, but I went up, tipped her, and told her to find me upstairs after her rounds.

After her stage rounds, I saw her by the stairs and motioned for her to talk to me. I tipped her again so she would stick around, and the conversation flowed. I will call her Gia, for lack of a better name now. Gia is an out-of-town dancer. She is from Rhode Island and came to Michigan to work. She has been here since September and is leaving today to return home. I don't usually spend much. time with out-of-town girls. They usually don't stick around and are hard-core workers.

I find Gia captivating, though. She is thirty-six but looks younger and is easily among the night's prettiest girls. I am a good talker at the club and manage to pull out people's stories in the process. Gia is a year out of an abusive relationship. Like leaving in the middle of the night and hiding all traces, a type of abusive relationship. Gia is guarded but has confidence in herself. She is a loner. She came to Michigan alone to make money because the clubs in Rhode Island were slow. 

I took her to the back and spent more time and more money than I expected on her. We talked about the area and that she had yet to explore it while she was here. I talked Gia into letting me take her to Lunch on Sunday, and we exchanged numbers. I know I make it sound easy to pick up strippers from the club, but I don't think it is for the average customer. Regardless, Gia kept up a steady exchange concerning the date on Saturday, and we met for lunch on Sunday.

I only know a few places in Royal Oak and picked the worst dive cafe on Google. It was the worst spot for a date, but Gia seemed to enjoy it and go with the flow. It was a Mexican-style brunch cafe that specialized in carryout.

Gia wore a light winter jacket over a powder blue zip-up sweater and yoga pants. She is petite, with short blond-brown hair and pretty features. Gia was playful and at ease during brunch. I joked and alluded to the fact she was returning to Rhode Island and never going to return. Gia assures me she will. 

At one point, I asked, "You don't go out with guys from the club, do you?"  Gia indicated all she had been doing while in Michigan was working, going to the gym, and sleeping. She rented an Airbnb and cooked her meals at home. 

She shook her head no and gave me a fist bump, indicating this was out of the norm for her. I tried to get her to go to an indoor Flea Market after lunch, but she had worked a double the night before and planned to work again Sunday night. Gia wanted to go back to sleep. 

Gia did give me several hugs as we lingered in front of the restaurant. She seems to enjoy my company. Though we did discuss relationships, I am still determining where this is going or if it is going anywhere, considering she may never return. I like her, though. She would make an excellent travel companion. However, getting her comfortable enough to take that step will take time. Time I did not get with her. Still, it was an enjoyable lunch, giving me something to hope for in the future. 

I received two texts before I even left the parking lot.

Gia: Thanks for lunch (smiley face). I am very sleepy. 

Bathwater: You are welcome. You are a pleasure to hang out with.

Gia: (Blushing smile) You are super cool.

I would have preferred super hot, but super cool is a start.