I had the "hammer down" as I accelerated my way down the interstate toward Frostburg, Maryland. I had not been this "giddy" since Brady and I had dated. It seemed that Brad had the same enthusiasm for me, and that was the whole reason for my excitement. I couldn't help but see a bright future with him.
I had left Vermont at dusk and that would put me in Frostburg around 2:00 PM. Brad would teach until 3:30 PM, and then he had promised me another dinner. I was unaware that he had picked a restaurant ninety miles away, but I cared not. Spending time with Brad and getting to know him better was the goal.
He was done at 3:20 PM and phoned me. I had already booked a hotel and had planned to stay in Frostburg for the evening. However, Brad had other plans. He ferried me to Frederick, Maryland. Our first stop was a vineyard tour at Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyards. Brad knew the proprietors by name, as he wrote about wine on a personal blog and had done a piece for them that made it to the Washington Post.
After a tour and a cocktail with the owners, it was off to dinner. A local restaurant just around the corner from the winery was our destination. We would dine at the Dutch's Daughter. We started with Baked Shrimp Bread and Baked Brie in a Puff Pastry. As if that wasn't enough to send us into a food coma, we continued. I charged on with Maryland Crab Soup and he had the French Onion. We seemed to both be in the mood for beef along side our Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, so I had Filet Oscar and he the Filet Mignon.
Not to be outdone, he had booked a room at the nearby Pleasant Springs Farm. Not wanting to waste any time this time...it felt right anyway this time; I agreed. We spent the nite there in an old cabin and he had additionally made reservations for dinner the following day at the Comus Inn. It was all coming together this time; not at a slow pace, but at a good pace. I dreamed of spending mornings with him; bringing Brad coffee and breakfast as he typed away at "the machina" from a desk near the window at Casa Amor. I somehow knew this dream would become a reality.
Monday, October 6, 2014
The morning came quickly after a short snooze. I had wanted to stay in Frostburg another day and evening, but I was committed to going to Vermont. I hadn't seen Liam since just after the New Year, so I was excited to see my son. I would tell him too about Brad, but I first had to make it to Randolph.
I left early after only four hours of sleep. As I started the car and brushed off just a it of snow from it, I wondered if Brad was up this early doing the same. I figured in my mind that he; on the other hand, was probably writing with a nice cup of coffee close to his typewriter or computer. Personally, I pictured him as a typewriter and pipe kind of guy.
After allowing the car to warm up, I loaded my bags into the trunk and off I went. To my surprise at exactly 7:12 AM, my phone rang. It was Brad. He had called to thank me for a wonderful evening of food, wine and conversation. And he was concerned with when we might see each other again. I had a thought, but kept it to myself for the moment. I wanted to see if his enthusiasm would keep him in touch while I was visiting Liam. If so, I would extend my trip a day and spend a day with him in Frostburg on the way back to Asheville.
The nice thing about the financial status I was in is that I had no concern over money. Now, you have heard it a million times before, but Brady's planning put me in a "position to win" in the category of finances. Even Liam and Isabella got salaries thru college and a lump sum at graduation. In fact, Isabella was starting to look at real estate in Baltimore, as she now knew the city enough to make an informed decision about a place. That would be my next trip; to Baltimore to look for a flat or town home.
I made it into Vermont by 4:00 PM. Liam was studying genetics and the effects of early childhood brain development. He had added some psychology classes as a minor in order to get some "development theory" education. I would stay for four days, and Brad called on two occasions and I on one. I had to get back to Frostburg, and Liam fully understood.
I left early after only four hours of sleep. As I started the car and brushed off just a it of snow from it, I wondered if Brad was up this early doing the same. I figured in my mind that he; on the other hand, was probably writing with a nice cup of coffee close to his typewriter or computer. Personally, I pictured him as a typewriter and pipe kind of guy.
After allowing the car to warm up, I loaded my bags into the trunk and off I went. To my surprise at exactly 7:12 AM, my phone rang. It was Brad. He had called to thank me for a wonderful evening of food, wine and conversation. And he was concerned with when we might see each other again. I had a thought, but kept it to myself for the moment. I wanted to see if his enthusiasm would keep him in touch while I was visiting Liam. If so, I would extend my trip a day and spend a day with him in Frostburg on the way back to Asheville.
The nice thing about the financial status I was in is that I had no concern over money. Now, you have heard it a million times before, but Brady's planning put me in a "position to win" in the category of finances. Even Liam and Isabella got salaries thru college and a lump sum at graduation. In fact, Isabella was starting to look at real estate in Baltimore, as she now knew the city enough to make an informed decision about a place. That would be my next trip; to Baltimore to look for a flat or town home.
I made it into Vermont by 4:00 PM. Liam was studying genetics and the effects of early childhood brain development. He had added some psychology classes as a minor in order to get some "development theory" education. I would stay for four days, and Brad called on two occasions and I on one. I had to get back to Frostburg, and Liam fully understood.
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