Saturday - Jazz

Yes - two in one day.
(Names have been changed to protect the innocent and/or stupid)

Paul was to meet me at the jazz bar. Paul has expressed in past that he was hit very hard in the bad economy and that he would have to wait till pay day to take me out. So we did. I told him to meet me inside the bar so that he wouldn't feel pressured to pay my cover. I budget $20 for the date - cover and one glass of wine. Hear me? I budgeted. Paul apprently did not.

Let's leave that topic for the moment and concentrate on the date. Paul is attractive. I could see myself liking him if we went by looks alone. He is also sociable and nice. He did make a comment about not being a guy who gets jealous. (We were at a jazz club - I was networking - and sort of apologetically told him that I had to network while we were there. Didn't want him to feel ignored even though I did not do much talking outside of just the two of us.) I do not believe guys when they say they do not get jealous. If a guy does not get jealous, then he does not care much about the person he is with. I want to be cared about. I don't want a complete jealous mania. No beating guys up because I flirt with them. My guy will have to know that flirting is a part of me, but there is a level that is healthy and natural.

The other thing. He kinda flames. He is not "Oh my god - GAY!" But he is questionable. And I am not sure I am attracted to men who are that effiminate. Well, actually, let's be honest - I'm not attracted to them. I have in past been, but those ones I got to know really well before being attracted and there was a lot of testosterone to balance out the occassional moments of "Do you know you just flapped your wrist?"

Back to the end of the date...Well Paul put the drinks on his tab. He ordered a second beer. When he was done with that and I was done nursing my one drink, the bartender asked us if we wanted another round and we visually checked in and he said yes. So 3 beers, 2 glasses of wine. $43 later. We close out the tab and his card is declined. Then he gives the guy a $10 with the card and it is still declined. He says that he doesn't understand because he checked and there was $100 in his account, but he did have trouble getting out enough cash, so he only got $20 out. As he is giving BT another card, I go to restroom. Try to make it a little less painful for him. Um...No. That was declined too. I ended up paying for the whole bill, but he did give me the $10 for tip. I was so embarrassed for him. As was he.

He really wants to make it up to me. Though now 5 days later, I think he is losing a little hope for that to happen. My gal pal says absolutely don't do it. But he claims he has "Gotten over the hurdle that has strapped him for a year and a half". No idea what that could be. It's the two cards declined that has my radar up. Not to be a gold digger, but I don't want to get involved with someone who has that deep of financial problems.

Is it nicer to let him make it up to me, when I am not sure it would go past date 2, or to reject him now?