Ya sabes cómo es, señora, señor: estás bien vestido, sentado, esperando una cita. Llegas un poco temprano, pero es mejor que llegar tarde y es una señal de buena educación. En cuanto llega tu cita, te levantas y te presentas...

Cientos de pensamientos cruzan por tu mente: qué tal te ves, qué decir, qué pasa si hay un silencio incómodo. ¿Es prudente sentarse afuera, el sol no estará muy fuerte, la luz del sol no afectará tu cutis? ¿Qué pasa si no hay tema de conversación? ¿Qué pasa si la persona que esperas va mal vestida, qué tal si tú vas demasiado arreglado? ¿Cómo reaccionar cuando todos te miran, cuando hay una mosca en tu café?

Decides sentarte a la sombra y ves cómo alguien alza una ceja. "¿Desea ordenar algo, señor?" "Aún espero a mi acompañante y..." (y es de mala educación estar bebiendo o comiendo cuando ella entre, piensas para tus adentros). El mesero asiente, pero claramente preferiría servirte a que estés ahí solo sentado.

Miras disimuladamente la hora, que pasa increíblemente lenta, y tu ropa blanca empieza a mostrar manchas de sudor nervioso. No es fácil ser introvertido en una cita.

El cuadro está terminado y te encantaría mostrarlo, pero parece que ella no viene.** Levantas la mano, llamas al mesero y pides una jarra de vino tinto para calmar los nervios. Justo cuando estás acabando tu segunda copa, ella aparece en la mesa, y te das cuenta de que si hablas ahora, el olor a alcohol le dará de lleno en la cara.

En silencio, te levantas y torpemente le corres la silla. Bien hecho, piensas, he hecho el ridículo.

You know how it is, madam, sir, you're dressed up nicely, sitting there waiting for a date. You're a bit early, but that's better than being late and a sign of good manners. As soon as your appointment arrives, you stand up and introduce yourself...

Hundreds of thoughts are racing through your head: how you look, what to say, what if there's an awkward silence. Is it wise to sit outside? Is the sun too hot? Will the sunlight ruin your complexion? What if there's nothing to talk about? What if the person you're waiting for is dressed badly? What if you're overdressed? How to react when everyone's staring, when there's a fly in your coffee?

You decide to sit in the shade and see how someone raises an eyebrow. "Would you like to order something, sir?" "I'm still waiting for my companion and..." (and it's rude to be drinking or eating when she walks in, you think to yourself). The waiter nods, but would clearly rather serve you than have you just sitting there.

You steal a glance at the time, which is passing excruciatingly slowly, and your white clothes are starting to show patches of anxious sweat. It's not easy being an introvert on a date.

The painting is complete, and you'd love to show it, but it looks like she's not coming. You raise your hand, beckon the waiter and order a carafe of red wine to numb the nerves. Just as you're knocking back your second glass, she appears at the table, and it dawns on you that if you speak now, the smell of alcohol will hit her right in the face.

Silently, you stand up and clumsily pull out her chair for her. Well done, you think to yourself, I've made a complete fool of myself.

_{19-3-2026
Painting: - public domain
Painter: William Merritt Chase
The original text is dutch - a translator is used
The contest Art & Writing is hosted by @solperez- Join if you like to describe art in a creative way.
@almaguer @gektor @ladyaryastark @newton666 @maxart .... pick your painting or all three.
#story #art #painting #chase #review #steemexclusive}