In these past 9 (almost 10) months, I’ve done a lot of reading about dating. I’ve perused a number of books, articles, online articles, etc., and I’ve noticed a trend.

No one writes about the second date.

They write about how to find dates. They write about how to get ready for the first date. They write about how to successfully turn that first date into a second date.

But after that? They skip ahead. Start talking about relationship issues. When to become exclusive. When to get physical. When to say “I love you.”

But why does no one write about that second date?

See, I have this sort of curse.

I don’t seem to have a problem getting dates. In fact, there have been times when I’ve been overwhelmed with first dates and have had to step back.

Usually, if there’s a first date and no second date, that’s my doing. Not always, mind you, but usually.

But the second date, well, that’s another story.

I’ve had a significant number of guys who, after a first date, seem very interested in seeing me again. So we make that second date. We go out, and have a grand time. Again, they seem very interested in seeing me again. Sometimes they even ask, “can I see you again?”

And then?

Nothing.

No phone call. No email. No polite brush-off. Just nothing.

They disappear.

Can anybody tell me where these guys are going? Is there some great vacuum into which these guys are pulled? Are they with all of the Other Socks, missing pens and earring backs that also disappear, never to be found again?

I tried desperately to research the topic, and what I found was a void.

No one talks about it. I can’t be the only one, can I?