His date with the intriguing girl hadn’t gone badly. She was indeed demure, but she was not unassuming—in fact, it was her harsh commentary that caused him concern. When they had slipped into the taxi, she complained about the service in the restaurant in remarkably unkind terms. He didn’t interrupt her, though he felt uncomfortable—he wondered what she would say about him after he took her home. After all, the service wasn’t that atrocious.
Of course she was smart and talented, but he just wasn’t interested. In addition to her questionable manners when out of the public view, she also seemed sedate. It’s not that she was cool and calm—her behavior in the taxi suggested otherwise—she simply seemed bored. He had hoped for lively conversation, except they had little to talk about. Over the fated dinner, she talked endlessly about herself, boasting her skills and accomplishments, hence smothering any opportunities for thoughtful discussion or playful repartee. He minded his manners, though, and nodded enthusiastically while quietly chewing (with his mouth closed, of course) on the twice-baked garlic potatoes.
He knew that he had impressed her, though he didn’t realize the magnitude of his charms. Less than three weeks after that date, she sent a letter to him, strongly urging him to marry her.
Replacing the letter in the envelope, he sighed. It was like something out of a soap opera: The girl he didn’t want was chasing him down—and so soon, too!
And what about the woman he did want?
You know, the glamorous one who had captured his attention so long ago? The sassy one who had scrambled to see him when she learned that he was passing through town? The smart one who eagerly pulled him into intelligent conversations that tickled his curiosity? The witty one who laughed at his jokes? The charming one who had hinted that she liked him as much as he liked her?
The one who was now ignoring his phone calls?
He sank further into his chair and sighed again.
The story is still not really about a boy and a girl.
13 Oct 2007 |
Timing… Is it about timing? …and priorities? …Trust? …logistics? How about… is it a dance? I hope you’ll write another “chapter.”
Comment by Carol | 14 Oct 2007 @ 5:47am
When I was in my fellowship and began looking around for a “place to go” I interviewed, something like a blind date, where you meet the family, the pet dog, see your potential domicile, way of life, but really only skimming the surface, it comes as a shock when a relationship is proposed within 24-48hrs after to arrive back home — scared me. To the point I immediately said no and ran away.
Comment by Greg P | 14 Oct 2007 @ 7:54am
That’s a rough story.
Comment by Philip | 14 Oct 2007 @ 11:55am
There was once a girl who was looking for work, and within a week she saw two jobs advertised in different places. One was artistic, creative, quite unique and with a wonderful team. The other was a little more down to earth but a lot more fun, she knew she would be happy to work there. So she spent a few days training at one, then at the other, and still didn’t know which direction to go in. ‘Just give it time’, her friends said. Uselessly. Even if that advice was correct, it still did not help her predicament.
But, one day, working at the first place, she simply knew it was where she belonged. It seemed ridiculous to even conceive of the time when she was uncertain which one to take. So she settled into her dream job and lived happily ever after.
That could be a story of a girl and two jobs. Or it could be the story of a boy and two girls. In fact, it could be a story of a boy and two girls, written by the boy in response to a post about a boy and a girl that is actually about a girl and two fellowship programs. The (somewhat convoluted) point being that time will very happily sort this out for you. And until then, even knowing that, nothing will ease the incredible irritation of just not knowing.
Comment by Rowan | 16 Oct 2007 @ 6:53am
Its a story of a job and two applicants.
Comment by Chuck McKay | 21 Oct 2007 @ 7:19pm
[…] I was going to continue with the courtship metaphor, there would be something here about the young man receiving a handwritten note from the glamorous […]
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