First Date - Hollywood Style

Musso & Frank was a Hollywood legend in and of itself. Founded in 1919, I honestly thought several of the original curt and crusty waiters were still on board. Walking through the door put me back in the hey dey of the city. The ghosts of celebrities and days gone by permeated the walls. The food was heavy and there wasn't a thing I would change about the place...ever. Certain important folks had their own booths - Ralph Edwards, creator of "This is Your Life" and executive producer of many fabulous old shows - which remained empty during certain hours "just in case".

I decided to meet Jake there. At least I'd be certain of a ride home...a repeat of the jab I'd given him when we decided on the time and place. He was waiting at a table in the "fancy" room. Not a bad table, I'd later learn, and the waiter knew his name. I'd barely slept the night before - yeah, I liked him. Must admit that I looked pretty good after changing clothes nineteen times. I've always been "cute", a description I've never been especially fond of. But, at 23 it fit.

Jake was better than cute...he was downright handsome. His blue blazer, open shirt and gray slacks with loafers were perfect. It turned out Jake was born and raised in Pennsylvania. Another East Coast defector. He'd been in Los Angeles fifteen years. He had just turned 37. Almost fourteen years older than me. It didn't matter.

The evening flew by in a blur. We talked as if we'd known each other for years. Laughed a little about Vegas..I said a little. He'd gotten separated over the holidays the year before. They'd married young and moved out to L.A. together. Nobody's fault, they'd just turned out to be very different people at 37 than they were at 22. Wouldn't you think I just might have filed that comment away for future reference? Nah, I was already seriously infatuated with this person.

He'd let her stay in the house in the Hollywood Hills while he was bunking on a friends' boat in the Marina. A 22 foot cabin cruiser...cozy? No, cramped. It was just until all the financials were settled. Best to keep things simple for the sake of the kids.

KIDS??????? Yes, four of them...three boys and a girl. They ranged from 12 down to 4.

Don't you remember, I learn things the hard way?

I agreed to see him again...and again.