He has three kids. Only they’re not “kids”, they’re teens/young adults.
Older.
When I gave the usual preparatory spiel (Kids, school, work, special needs kid, high intensity life), he didn’t blink. He asked me out twice before I realized it was an invitation. In my world, “what kind of movies do you like?” is conversation, not invitation.
He is sporadically employed, separated and living with his folks until the divorce is final. He wants to go back to school, to “study computers”. I tell him that the field is broad and currently full of people who JUST got laid off. That I think if he specializes in medical computing, he’ll pretty much be guaranteed a job as long as he’s willing to work.
We went out after work one night. Sat at a table across from each other and talked of our hopes and dreams. Spoke of our respective anxiety issues, of his various injuries and their resultant aches and pains and the medication they require.
(I did my best to quash the panicky unease his disclosures engendered.)
He likes that I’m an intellectual. Says I’m “purty”.
When it became obvious that I was out WAY past my bedtime, we agreed that the date was a good one, and I said I’d go out with him again. He caressed my cheek and leaned in for a kiss.
It was….WOW.