What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?

I met Abbey at the small bakery, Petit Gateau, on the corner of Market and Castro Street at  4:25pm on April 29. It was our first date. We agreed to grab a small bite before, then a drink after catching the 2-for-1 retro movie showing at the Castro Theatre. Abbey had never seen Imagine Me and You before, and I hardly needed an excuse for watching I Can't Think Straight on the big screen. Honestly, I've never missed a retro night at the theatre and I wasn't about to start. With Chancellor Henley squeezing the life out of all forms of lesbian and gay media, I thought for sure the Theatre would have been shut down, until it crumbled to the ground years later. 


When we met that afternoon her smile was contagious. I couldn't hold back the smile taking shape across my face and washing away any signs of worry and doubt. We walked towards each other with outstretched arms and hugged for what felt like an eternity that came and went all too quickly. I felt her give an extra squeeze right before we let go. My heart fluttered as I realized that all of these feelings could disappear at any moment. Wiping those thoughts from my mind, I pulled the door open for her as we neared the bakery and took in a deep breath of her sweet smelling perfume as she walked by. When we sat down with our coffee and mini cakes, I tried not to shake the entire table as my knee began to nervously bounce up and down.
"How's Sawyer doing today?" Abbey asked inquisitively.
"Oh, he's doing fine. He got a long walk in Fort McArthur this morning so I'm sure he's sound asleep now." I replied.
"I've never been to Fort McArthur. I've heard it's a pretty view of the city."
I looked up through my coffee and our eyes met, "It's one of my favorite places. You can see across the entire city, out across the water and Golden Gate Bridge and into Berkeley and Oakland. I'm sure Sawyer would love your company if you wanted to come with us."
Abbey let out a soft chuckle and I felt my lips curl into a smile in return.


When we finished our coffee and cakes, we pushed our chairs into the table and strolled towards the theatre. Outside, we kept bumping our shoulders, elbows and finger tips together. I didn't know if it was on accident or purpose, but I know I didn't mind it. I consciously switched my purse onto my opposite arm, freeing my hand and arm closest to her. Since we've been together, we've often times looked back on our first date and laughed. Abbey admits she didn't notice me moving my purse around, thereby missing my signals to her. She said she was too busy hoping I would just grab her hand.


With either an endorphin or sugar rush surging through me, I took the lead as we stepped up toward the ticket counter.
Brightly, "Two for the retro show tonight," I requested.
Abbey let out a little laugh and shook her head at me. Her eyebrows perked up and a cute little smirk let out the words, "Thank you, Kayden." She replied, as I handed her the ticket.
"You're very welcome," I confidently cooed back. 
Inside the dimly lit theatre my stomach sank and I began to regret making a movie our first date. It's a classic first-date faux-pas. I quickly realized there was no real opportunity for us to continue talking and I couldn't even look at her without it being obvious.  Until the movie started, I quietly mumbled on about other lesbian movies, shows and music I knew about that the Allegiances had banned. Abbey seemed interested, but I felt like she was just humoring me and was silently counting the minutes until the date was over.


When Imagine Me and You started I felt on edge. "Would she like the film? Would she think I was weird for liking the film? What happens if she gets bored? I hope she doesn't talk during the movie... but I want to talk to her..." My mind was racing. I tried to take comfort by enjoying Luce and Rachel on the big screen, but it didn't seem to work. She laughed at all the right moments and seemed to genuinely enjoy the film. After holding my breath for what felt like the entire first movie, I let out a sigh of relief when Tala and Leyla finally took center stage. Abbey still had a smile on her face and I took that as a good sign. My nerves were put to rest after the opening credits of the second film. As my hand rested on my knee, all clammy with sweat that wouldn't go away, Abbey reached over and intertwined her fingers with mine. I looked over at her in complete surprise.
She leaned toward me and whispered, "It's okay, you can relax."