The storm starts up just as they are finishing up their meal. Watching the rain from a watchtower is a lot different than being out in the middle of it. Jalisa cowers up under a tree. Merlin suggests that they go into one of the tents to avoid getting wet, but it’s too late. Jalisa is already damp and is not enjoying it at all.
The tent is surprisingly warm and cozy. Jalisa tries to take her mind off of her discomfort by retelling a ghost story that she heard once upon a time. It helps, but soon she realizes that she needs to pee.
Jalisa and Merlin stand at the edge of the campgrounds.
Voidcritter: So, what are my options?
Knight: There’s a bush right here…or we can make our way over to the public restroom. Those have a reputation for being a bit dirty, though.
Neither option sounds desirable. Jalisa is longing for the dry, cozy cabin where she spent her last date with Nate.
Voidcritter: There’s no way in hell I’m peeing in a bush in the middle of a storm. I’ll take my chances with the restroom.
They take off running towards the small building up the road. While using the restroom, Jalisa discovers another problem…it’s full of annoying flying bugs. Maybe the bush would have been better after all.
After the rain has stopped once again, Jalisa and Merlin sit down at the campfire.
Voidcritter: Can I be honest?
Knight: Always…
Voidcritter: I care about you, Merlin. I have a lot of love for you, but I’m afraid to lose myself.
Knight: How?
Jalisa thinks about the tents, being out in the rain and the food. She enjoyed it all, but none of it fits who she is.
Voidcritter: I sometimes feel like I’d have to change everything I enjoy and be someone else with you.
Knight: I’d never expect you to change. I’m sorry if I make you feel that you’d have to.
Voidcritter: How could you not expect it, though? You enjoy this sort of thing…and while I like being here with you, I’d prefer that this be only a one-time thing.
Knight: I’ve dated women who enjoyed the same things that I enjoy, but it’s like dating myself. You give me a refreshing view on things. The karaoke date…the dinner date taught me to see value in those things too. I don’t want to be in love with a clone of myself. I want to be in love with you and everything that makes you, you!
Voidcritter: But, what if I don’t want to go camping or hiking or if I want a steak with my baked potato?
Knight: Then we won’t go camping or hiking, and I’ll learn how to grill steaks.
Voidcritter: Wouldn’t that require you to give up things?
Knight: Those things aren’t all that I am. I’m a programmer…it’s what I do for a living. It’s what fills the majority of my day and makes me happy. I also like to play video games, reading, and cooking! Sure, I love the outdoors too, but that doesn’t have to mean jumping off cliffs and camping in the middle of a thunderstorm…this is a bit extreme for me also. I’m willing to compromise to be in this with you. I want to do things that you enjoy, but I’d love it if you’d go for a walk with me from time to time or maybe ride bikes with me near the beach or help me start a garden in our backyard.
Voidcritter: Those things sound like fun.
Merlin gets up and puts out the fire, then steps over closer to Jalisa.
Knight: I love you, and I believe having that in common is enough.
Voidcritter: *heart flutters* I love you too, and it is enough.
It’s late, and Jalisa is tired, so she walks over and crawls into the bigger tent.
Voidcritter: You coming?
Merlin and Jalisa spend the night cuddled up next to each other for warmth and because they enjoy being next to one another. Merlin gets up early to use the restroom and tries to find something that Jalisa would enjoy for breakfast. With only four more hours left in their getaway, Jalisa finally wakes up. Merlin is at the grill preparing breakfast.
Knight: I couldn’t find any steaks, but I hope you’re okay with an egg scramble.
Jalisa appreciates the effort.
Voidcritter: Yes, I love eggs.
Knight: I’ve been wracking my brain for some idea on how we should spend the rest of our time. No matter what I come up with, it doesn’t erase the fact that this could be it…our last moments together.
Thinking about that makes Jalisa sad. In a few hours, …she’ll be saying goodbye to either Nate or Merlin. Nothing can prepare her and the thought almost takes away her appetite.
Jalisa is still deep in thought after they’ve eaten, and Merlin begins cleaning up. Merlin approaches her…
Knight: I know you’re thinking about the end, but it’s not over yet. Want to go on a bike ride?
It’s the perfect thing to take her mind off of the inevitable. She happily agrees. They take off down one of the paths. Everything seems so fresh and clean after the previous day of rainstorms.
Jalisa takes Merlin’s advice and tries to experience it without getting caught up in describing it. They stop at a spot near a small stream.
Knight: *takes Jalisa’s hands* I spent half the night there with you in the tent agonizing over how this whole thing could end. There are just a few things that I’d like to say to you before we leave…
Voidcritter: Okay…
Knight: If you decide that you want to be with me after all of this, then I want you to know that I want to be in a relationship with you…a committed relationship. I entered this challenge looking for a life partner. I can see that in you. I know that it might not happen. I’ve lived with Nate the whole time we’ve been competing in this thing, and I realize that he’s a great guy. I know you two have a lot in common, and maybe he’d be a better match for you. He can make you happy…no doubt about it. And I want you to be happy. That’s the main thing. I love you, and I can only pray that I get to be the one that gets you to call you my lady.
Voidcritter: I love you, too. Thanks for making your feelings clear. I needed to hear that. I know that you can make me happy. You already have. Like I told Nate…I wish I can give you both the reassurances that you need, but I’m in a very tough spot. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I love you both, and I don’t want to see either of you go.
Knight: I know…because you have a good heart and a lot of love to give.
Voidcritter: *emotional* It’s time. We’d better go.
Jalisa and Merlin hop back on their bikes and ride back to the campground to grab their things. Then they make the trip back to Newcrest, where they part with a long intimate hug.
~~~Jalisa’s Thoughts~~~
(The Voidcritter) In all honestly, this date was a mess. I laugh when I say that because it was beautiful at the same time. Merlin takes me entirely out of my comfort zone, which makes me feel completely vulnerable, but at the same time, I feel alive and free somehow. We watched a thunderstorm, who does that? But even though it can all be scary…I feel safe with him. I have a helluva decision ahead of me, and I’m not sure if I can make it at all.
28 Blind Date Summaries | read from the beginning
