Chattanooga Choke

So the score, for those keeping score, is eHarmony 2; Kara 0. I went out on my second eHarmony date last Saturday and this is my story...
Wesley and I were connected on eHarmony last Tuesday. We spent Tuesday night going through the marathon "communication process" and finally got to free-style email around 11pm. We had really great email chemistry, so I gave him my number. He called me the next night and we talked for a few hours. The next day, we texted on and off all day, and then we talked for several more hours Thursday night. He was already becoming a little smothering, but it was during that conversation that I suggested that we meet that weekend because I really didn't want to spend any more time talking on the phone with someone that I may not connect with in person. He lives in Knoxville, and I'm in Atlanta, so I suggested we meet in Chattanooga - about a 1.5 hr drive for each of us. He agreed. And Saturday, I went to the salon and had my hair cut and highlighted. I went to the nail place for a manicure and pedicure. I looked hot. I felt great. I was on my way to Chattanooga.

Arriving in Chattanooga, I found out that there was some sort of festival going on, and we couldn't meet up where we had planned. After some driving around, texting with one another, and a phone call, we finally met up at a Suntrust bank parking lot. Upon his arrival, I found out why he was not open mouth smiling in any of his pictures on eHarmony. His teeth were terrible - not only were they jacked up more than I-75 at 14th Street but they were a strange yellow color. Ugh. Strike 1. He went in for a hug and held me longer than I was comfortable with when I first hug a stranger. And I can't be sure, but I think he tried to go in for a kiss. Didn't.Happen. In the parking lot we're trying to figure out a plan and I mentioned that I didn't want to leave my car there. I suggested that we both drive back into the city and pay the $5 event parking fee and then figure out where to go for dinner. He then proceeded to tell me that he couldn't pay for parking because he was mugged on the way down. WTH? Apparently he was held up by knife point, gave away all of his cash (they didn't want his credit or debit card?!), and he didn't bother to file a police report. Whatever. Strike 2. I suggested that he just get more cash out because we were, afterall, in a bank parking lot. Instead, he suggested that he leave his truck there and that we just take my car back into the city. Strike 3, and we haven't even been together 10 minutes at this point. I was already ready to go home. I end up driving him around Chattanooga as we try to find somewhere to eat dinner, and I finally got fed up and paid the $5 event parking just to get the show on the road. We ate at a local tavern, and when the bill came, I coyly asked "so what's my damage" (my standard first date line, fully anticipating that my date wouldn't take me up on it). He said, "probably around $15". Foul ball. I turned over my debit card, signed the receipt, and ducked into the ladies room to text my sister and friends about how miserable this date was.

After dinner, we got back into my car and I drove him back to his. At his car, he asked if I wanted to go for an ice cream that was just across the street. I really didn't want to go, but wasn't sure how to get out of it so soon. We had only been together for about 45 minutes at this point, and we both came a long way, so I just sucked it up. We tried to leave both of our cars in the bank parking lot, but they threatened to tow our cars if we left them. So, he suggested that we park around the back of the ice cream place. We both climbed into our respective vehicles and drove around and around in circles searching for a parking space. It was at this point that I was tempted to leave him and get back on the highway headed back south. On second thought, I didn't want karma to catch up with me, so i found a parking spot and met him at the ice cream shop. I paid for my ice cream, of course. We sat near the front entrance window and watched people walk by. He asked me how I thought the date was going. I think he was into it! I, on the other hand, was far from it. Fighting the urge to blurt out, "Not Good!", I was able to respond with "ummm, it's ok". He seemed surprise, and then he got kind of mad. I told him that I needed to get back home, and he walked me to my car. I gave him a half-hearted hug, and I thankfully, was on my back home. He texted me when he got home to say he was home and enjoyed spending time with me. I texted him back that I was home. And I didn't hear from him for 2 days, so I figured he got the hint.

Until today. I got a text from him tonight that said, "So I am guessing that you didn't feel any chemistry." Roger that. Unfortunately, I had a miserable day at work, and was feeling a bit fiesty, so I fired a text back that said, "Not so much. Not a fan of men that lie and I have a hard time believing your "mugging" story. Best of luck with your relationship search." Well that made him mad. He texted me back with, "You think that was a lie? Sadly no, a man came up and asked me for some money to get his family home, when I refused he pulled a knife. I handed him the money I had. I thought you meant me lying about your hair looking good. Good luck in your search." I typed the following text back, but luckily my sister called just as I was about to hit send and talked me out of it: "Congratulations on being my newest answer to the what's your worst date ever question. I should have left the date before ice cream as I contemplated." She persuaded me not to stoop to his level. Still wish I sent that text.

And the bad date collection of stories continues.