Toss-Up Romance

“Going to the movie, heads, or playing a game, tails.” Dan flipped his coin.

It flipped in the air as Gabby waited for the answer. The mystery was mounting as the question remained unanswered. Time could only stand still as the wait continued. As the coin fell back to earth, both faces looked at it intricately.

“Heads,” Dan announced.

Both loved the movies, and their faces lit up. The delight of a lovely day to go out to another movie. The new superhero movie was out, and it looked amazing. Gabby went to grab her coat as Dan checked his wallet. His face lit up as he had enough cash to go out. The theater was raising prices, but it was still fun to see on the biggest screen. Dan could only smile as he could see her delight. He grabbed his coat and his keys. Gabby loved this game, and Dan enjoyed playing it. Both huddled in the car to make the drive. Gabby longingly stared at Dan as he drove. Dan proudly drove as he could feel Gabby's hope. Even after five months of dating, it was working. Both loved watching movies, and that interest led them to meet. Dan knew he loved Gabby when he saw her park her car at the very same theater. It was a special treat tonight as they drove up. Dan smiled as he looked at Gabby, and he pulled out his coin.

“Popcorn, heads, or candy, tails,” Dan asked.

The coin was flipped in the air and caught by Dan. Once it was flipped back to his hand, the coin was still a mystery. Gabby looked at him to see which special treat he would get. Dan snidely held the result until she gently kissed him. The coin was revealed with tails. Candy was a welcome change from the shared popcorn. They both entered and joked as they ordered their tickets. The worker looked bored but humored the attention. As they entered the theater, he let Gabby choose the seat in the back.

After the movie, Dan pulled out his coin and stated,” ice cream, heads, or doughnuts, tails.”

Dessert delighted Gabby as she searched for it. Dan flipped and caught it rather fast as he peered at the result and smiled. Doughnuts, he whispered as he showed tails. She smiled as they went to the car. It was a great movie, and now some dessert. There was the shop she liked. It was another great adventure to eat the tasty delight till she thought.

“What about the cookie place without the coin toss instead?” Gabby questioned.

Dan looked at her with a drained face. His coin toss kept the choices fresh. His ideas weren't good enough, but she was still there, trying to ruin it. Gabby just stood there wanting more from the guesses. Both seemed to find that the cute idea was not as successful.

“I want to keep you guessing what wonderful thing will come next,” Dan replied.

“It is okay to do it sometimes, but a planned thing will not hurt either,” Gabby continued.

As they started to walk to the car, Dan rubbed the coin in his pocket. Gabby was glad to have a cookie instead, but Dan was a little down. The cookies were huge, and he ordered the one he liked with his hand still on the coin. This was a set-determined decision as Gabby nibbled on her favorite. Dan went outside. He pulled the coin and flipped it a few times, then headed inside to see her smiling face. He started the conversation again as both laughed at the movie’s lines. It was different, but seemed to be going well despite the coin-toss surprise.

He even offered to flip a coin to decide when they would play the game when they went home. Gabby smiled and said yes if she could choose the two games. Dan stepped back, but he could flip his coin, and she might be happier with the results. Dan was feeling better, but was strange with the rules changing. His world seemed overwhelmed as he was not making the choices. Dan just stared straight as he drove home, as Gabby smiled with the rest of the cookies. The drive was quiet as they returned to the apartment.

Gabby went inside the apartment as Dan stood outside flipping his coin. He stared at the ground and finally decided to enter the apartment. Gabby had two games waiting on the table. His face just walked past, not even reaching for his coin. Dan decided to just skip the game and go to bed. Gabby sat in the room as she could only feel that he was angry over not following his silly rules. Gabby eventually came into bed, and he was already asleep. Both felt the anger as the silly coin rule became awkward.

The next morning, Dan was up early and left without even saying goodbye. Gabby lay in bed thinking about the previous night. She wanted so much more, but Dan was still a good guy. Gabby wanted to do something, so she went to the store to find a few items. The perfect dinner could make things so much better. The kitchen filled with the smell of his favorite dish as it cooked. Gabby made the lasagna that he loved so much.

The house smelled of dinner as she watched the oven. The flipping coin was pulled out of the hiding spot. Dan was on top of it. She felt that he had hurt her, but only if he could just listen. Gabby wanted a little choice, but his spontaneous spirit was his high point. She put it on the counter to present once he came home from work. The dinner was almost ready as Gabby made sure everything was perfect. The roar of the engine entered the driveway as Dan was finally home.

The door slowly opened to a very tired, strained face of Dan. His tie was already loosened as he sat in the chair. His nose perked up as he smelled dinner. He walked into the kitchen and saw the small box on the counter. Gabby picked up the box and gave it to him. His slow opening led to a smile as his coin was now his own.

“I just wanted a voice, but I like a little surprise too,” Gabby commented.

“I know, and I still love you, my dear,” Dan replied.

They both kissed as they sat at the table. The love was still there despite the spat. Dan took his new coin and named lasagna for both heads and tails. Both laughed as they settled into the night. The evening continued better than expected. The fight was behind them. Dan even let Gabby choose the choices, and Gabby let him flip his coin.