The Swiss Escape

First Dates

Jen and I skype while Kayla naps. “What are you wearing tonight? You need to look hot, but not like you’re trying to look hot.”

“Jen, I have no idea what you just said. Why can't I just wear jeans and a sweater? My coat is going to cover most of it anyway.” I don’t understand why Jen is freaking out about this.

“Kam, this is your first date in ten years. Aren’t you nervous?”

“It’s not a date.”

“Really?” She gives me a knowing look.

“He is taking Kayla and me to see a Zurich Christmas tradition.”

Jen rolls her eyes at me, “Yes, a tradition that involves mulled wine, walking under twinkle lights, and mistletoe.”

I roll my eyes, “They also help kids make candles, Santa and his weird helper, who will take the kids on the naughty list, and drunk idiots try to swim across a river in the cold. It’s not romantic.”

“It’s romantic, and he’s taking you out to dinner. Kammy, I know you have been out of the game for some time, but this is a date. You need to take me to your closet so I can find something for you to wear.”

Letting out a sigh, I pick up the laptop and take it to my room. Opening the small closet, I hold the camera so Jen can get a view of everything. “This is no good. Start pulling things out, and I will yes or no them.”

“I’m not pulling everything out of the closet.” I start digging through the closet. Hoping to find something to get Jen off my back. “What about this?” I hold up a pair of dark skinny jeans and a heather grey sweater.

“Jeans are okay; the top is a no.” I put the top back and started looking again, “Wait! Go back.” I go back to a red long sleeve shirt. The shirt had a cut out in the front. It didn’t show very much skin, but the shirt itself is form-fitting. “That one is perfect. It sexy, but not provocative.”

I stare at the top. It hits about mid-thigh. Jen gave me this shirt before I left, but I never wear it. The shirt is cute, but I don’t feel like it’s flattering on me. It clings to me, and though I have lost weight since moving, I am not sure it is enough to pull off this top. “I don’t know, Jen. It’s kind of snug.”

“Try it on, but wear jeggings. It will look better. What shoes are you wearing?”

“My snow boots.” I put the outfit on for Jen.

“Snow boots? You should wear cute boots, are they cute?”

“They look like snow boots, Jen.” After I finish getting the shirt on, I ask Jen, “What do you think?” I give a turn for her.

“You look great, Kam. Now, do you have boots with a heel?”

“I am not wearing heels.” I look at Jen like she lost her mind.

“Why not?” She gives me the same look back.

“Because I will be walking around, there is snow on the ground, and I may have to chase a small child. No heels, you get the snow boots.”

Jen let out a huff, “Fine. How are you wearing your hair?”

“Same as I have it now. I am just going to pin it up; the wind will mess it up by the end of the night-.”

“Wait, you’re going to shower and put on make-up, right?” Jen looks at me, confused.

“I was going to put make-up on, yes.”

“No, you have to be ready for anything. Go shower, blow-dry your hair, curl it, then pin it, and put on natural-looking make-up.” Jen gives me a look.

“Fine, I will talk to you tomorrow.” We get off of the call, and I begin getting ready.

After getting myself most of the way put together, Kayla got up, and I helped her get ready. After putting on my make-up, I go back to my room for my phone; when I do, I catch a glimpse of myself in the full-length mirror. I stare at the person looking back at me. I look happy.

Alex arrives at five on the dot. He takes us to a nearby restaurant. There he orders us traditional Zurich dishes. Zurich Geschnezltes, a veal and mushroom sauce, and Raclette, a boiled potato with melted cheese.

After eating, we take the tram across the city. When we approach the market, I was stunned. Lights hung everywhere, people were singing, it looks like a little Christmas town from the Hallmark movies.

We walk around the different shops. I look at Kayla; the expression on her face shows her amazement. Looking around, I am sure my face is the same expression. “Would Kayla like to make a candle? It can get a little messy, but a lot of people do it.”

“Yeah, I think she will like that.”

After Kayla makes her candle, the woman who helped her wraps it for her. We continue walking through the different shops. Alex decided we need a drink, so he gets us mulled wine and Kayla punch. “What do you think?” asked Alex.

“It’s overwhelming. I have never seen anything like this before. It reminds me of a light show my parents took me to when I was little. It was supposed to be the North Pole. I was so young I believed it.” Alex lets out a light laugh as we continue walking and looking at the different items people were selling. Finally, we find Santa. He is sitting in a giant chair; his helper creepily lurked in the background of the pictures. “It’s so ominous. He just stalks around like that?”

“He is supposed to give children a reason to behave.” Alex looks over at me, “are you afraid of him?”

“A little. He looks like someone who would kidnap you and take you into the woods.”

“Don’t worry; he only does that if you’re naughty.” Alex leans in a little closer, “is there a reason I shouldn’t let you close to him?” My heart begins to race. Dirty thoughts start running through my mind, and they all involve Alex.

I don’t know what to say back. Before I can come up with anything, the photographer waves Kayla and me up to the platform. She doesn’t seem frightened of Santa or his helper. The photographer snaps the picture. As quickly as I can, I get down from the small platform.

We spend about three hours at the market. It is well after nine, and Kayla begins to become cranky. “We should probably head back.”

“Yeah, it’s getting late.” Alex seemed to understand why I wanted to leave.

“I hate that we didn’t get to see all of it. Maybe when Kayla is a little older, we can come back.” At least I hope Alex will invite me back. Looking back on our interactions tonight, I don’t feel as though he would. If this is a date, then I am terrible. All he has done this entire night is translate, help me navigate, and explain traditions to me.

As we walk back from the tram station to my apartment, I question more and more if this was a date. “Would you like to come up?”

“It’s late, and you need to get Kayla to bed.” Alex seems distant; if this is the first date, there wouldn't be a second. Is this going to make work awkward?

“Right, sorry. Well, goodnight.” As we are walking into the building, Kayla asks me to pick her up. I place our bags by stairs, so they are out of the way if anyone else comes into the building. I pick Kayla up and carry her up the five flights. She is almost asleep when I get to the apartment.