Homerun

My friend Tommy asked me to join him for a Sox game a few days ago. Seeing as it is summer, I disregarded the fact that I am typically a Cubbies fan and joined him. After a bit of tailgating with my friend Mike, a delcious pretzel, an awkward boy winking good bye at me, and eight innings of pure butt kicking (the Sox really did dominate) we decided to leave before the crowds were unleashed into the streets.
As we made our way to the train, I see a man out of the corner of my eye that catches my attention. The look on his face said that I had also caught his. He and his friend follow us closely all the way until I finally found a seat on the el platform. As we waited for the train and fireworks were being set off behind us (the Sox let off fireworks at a lot of their games) the man who caught my attention simply asks, "What? You don't like fireworks?"
This sparked a long conversation that lasted well past waiting for the train and continued through out our train ride back to the North Side. As my stop was nearing, he casually asked me for my number. I thought this was acceptable for four reasons. The first two are key- but I think that the second two are much more important:
1) I found him attractive.
2) I had been having fun talking to him.
3) As we were talking at one point, spittle flew out of my mouth like a rouge soldier and landed on my chin. I quickly tried to wipe it away without being obvious of what had just happened. He wasn't phased.
4) While on the train, I turned around to flash him a smile right as an old lady was moving forward. She totally decked me in the eye, causing it to water for about five minutes. This is what I get for trying to be cute and flirt- punched in the eye. Either way, we laughed it off and made a joke out of it. He did not seem alarmed by the fact that I could get beat up by a 72 year old.

He texted me back within an hour which suddenly turned into a phone conversation that lasted a remarkable three and a half hours. We set up a date for Friday, and I am rather excited about it.

Sounds perfect, right? Well... here's the kicker:

He's 40.
I'm 24.

That's a pretty huge age gap. Especially considering that he is closer to my mom's age by 5 years than to mine. Yes, I did the math, thank you for asking. You would too if you were in this situation. Moving on.

Last night, I lay awake wondering how much of an age gap is too large to cross? I have currently been thinking about trying to date someone close to 30... but 40? It seems like it could be dating suicide for both of us right off the bat.

I feel as if this type of questioning could be a deal breaker to a lot of people, but I think I am going to go ahead with the date and see what an older man has to offer. The worst thing that could happen is that I realize he really is too old for me or that we have nothing in common.

And honestly, how much different is that from going on a date with someone my own age?