by Sophie Meyer
She went to her message boxes on the dating sites. A bunch of messages waited for her, guys who had seen her profile and wanted to get in touch.
Great profile, one email said, really hot! I love to cuddle, to travel, to be romantic. Ashley flipped on his photo; he had squinty eyes and looked eager. Thanks for contacting me, she wrote, but I don’t think we’re a match.
The other messages fell flat as well. Nothing sparked or interested her. She’d think some more about Gideon and put his qualities down on the list. It was fun thinking about him, and giving her friends little pieces of information. Who knows, Ashley thought, everything else was happening so effortlessly, maybe her groom could appear just like that?
It was the first time she’d actually considered the possibility. Ashley went over to the end table and took the list she’d made with Ray in her hand. Then she wondered what it would be like if Gideon were real, if he actually came into her life? After all, tomorrow was the Speed Dating night, and the day after that Shane’s pre-engagement party. You never knew who’d show up. She’d better get ready right now!
“Strong, Handsome, Tender, Musical, Generous, Playful, Poetic, Kind, Happy, Independent, Definitely Has A Mind of His Own!” Ashley read out loud from her list.
CHAPTER 15
Ashley had never been to a speed dating evening and wasn’t sure she wanted to go. Ray had signed her up for Town Singles Speed Dating, the best known one around. The thought of it made her uneasy, she felt pressured to definitely come out of the evening with someone.
“You have to do it,” Ray said when she called to talk it over. “Number one, I’ve made the reservation, number two - it’s a numbers game. You only need to find one guy, but by meeting ten in one night, you increase your chances increase exponentially. Besides, they’re extremely selective, if you don’t fit the age range or general quality, they refund your deposit on the spot.”
“Sounds cruel,” said Ashley.
“Not at all. People know they’re selective and don’t play games. They get a very upscale clientele. It’s an expensive evening. Go, you’ll have fun.”
Ashley now slipped into a black, silk sleeveless dress, brushed her long hair loose over her shoulders and put on a pair of high heel sandals. She did her make up carefully, sprayed on her favorite perfume and had to admit that she looked moderately ravishing. Nothing like she looked in the bridal gown, but this was certainly a step on the road.
For a moment, to Ashley’s surprise, she actually found herself enjoying this. There had been other moments when she’d felt that way as well. It was as if she’d stepped into a carnival, and was enjoying the celebration. When she began to take it all seriously was when she got into trouble.
There’s nothing serious about this, she told herself, it’s a lark. If I look at it that way, it’s fun. When I begin to think it’s life and death, I’m terrified and sad, like I’ve lost and everyone else has won. But what have I lost? What have they won?
Ashley didn’t want to take this speed dating evening seriously, though. There was nothing normal about going to a place where guys and girls lined up to have ten minute dates with each other, one after the next, and then choose the people they wanted.
Now she touched up her lipstick one more time, left the apartment, hailed a cab and let it take her to Club Haven, where the Town Singles Speed Dating night was being held.
To her surprise, the room she was directed to in Club Haven was filled, with attractive men and women, her age, dressed to the hilt. They were milling around, looking each other over, a few of them talking to someone they seemed to know.
In the middle of the room was a long, table with chairs on either side. At both ends of the table were bells.
A very tall, lanky young woman, dressed in red, came over to Ashley immediately.
“If you’re looking for hell, this is it,” she whispered. “I’ve done this twice before,” the young woman confided, “both times were awful.”
“Why did you come back?” asked Ashley.
“It’s addictive,” said the young woman. “You see those three other girls over there? This is at least their tenth time.”
Ashley couldn’t believe it. “That’s humiliating,” she said.
“Not really,” said the young woman, “it’s addictive, that’s different. The speed dating gets you to realize there’s always lots more. No matter how bad the ten minute date is, there’s the next one waiting up ahead. You end up hoping that someone on the line will be the One.”
“I got it,” said Ashley, “so why is it hell?”
“Love is hell,” the young woman whispered, “by the way my name is Madeleine.”
Ashley didn’t feel like introducing herself.
“Some of us know each other quite well,” Madeleine went on. “I haven’t seen you here before. Is this is your first time?”
“The first and the last,” Ashley tried to smile.
Madeleine grinned, “Don’t be so sure. That’s what we all say in the beginning. But there’s something about this – it’s hard to give up. Everyone wants to catch the golden ring!”
Ashley shivered. This was worse than she’d imagined. The same people here over and over searching for love, and she was part of it now. She was tempted to turn around and leave before she got started.
A bell rang out though, just at that moment.
“Welcome, welcome,” a charming voice rang out, momentarily allaying Ashley’s fears. A tall, good looking, middle aged man, dressed in a blue tailored suit, stood in the corner, speaking over a hand held microphone.
“Please come over here and pick up your packet,” obviously he would be guiding them each step of the way. “Each person here has a packet with their name on it. Inside the packet you’ll find index cards with the name of each person you’re going to meet. You’ll also find two pencils and a bunch of stars. You put the stars on the cards of the people you like the best.”
The people scrambled over to another table, lining up to receive their packets.
“Once each person has their packet, you’ll line up in a row. The order doesn’t make any difference! Please remember that!”
To Ashley’s distress, Madeline came and lined up right behind her.
“Each of you will have an opportunity to meet everyone here. The gals will line up on one side of the table, the guys on the other! Each of you will take a seat at the table to start. When the bell rings, the first date begins! You talk to the person opposite you! Find out their name! That’s important. After the date you’re going to write down on their index card if you want to see that person again. After the evening we go through the cards. When two people have chosen each other, it’s a win! We let you both know and you take it from there.”
Oh God, thought Ashley, she had ten minutes to decide about each person.
“You get a little time between dates to write your impressions, about three minutes or so. Then, the bell rings again, the women stay seated where they are and the men get up and move down to the next seat at the table, in front of the next woman. Men, when you come to the end of the line, you then return back to the beginning. Everyone gets a chance to meet everyone. It’s very simple!”
“This could be the night,” Madeline whispered behind Ashley, “you never know, you never know. I did meet one guy a month ago, who was sort of all right. Just a pothead, though. I want someone better.”
“Don’t ask questions that are too personal!” the voice continued to instruct them. “And, whatever you do, don’t ask the person out on a date right now! Please follow the rules we’ve set up. They’re for your protection, to help this go well. We don’t want people feeling hurt or upset if someone doesn’t ask them out at the moment. It’s important to keep your spirits up! Remember, there’s always the next person waiting on line!”
Ashley felt slightly nauseated. This was an assembly line of love.
“The entire evening will take about two hours, give or take a little.”
; They had it down to a science, but once it started there would be no way, she could get out. The line just kept moving along.
“Okay?” now the voice sounded excited, as if cheering them on in a rally or marathon.
”Okay,” some of the people responded. Probably the old timers here, Ashley thought, they were used to the pep talk. Ashley looked over at Madeline, who seemed suddenly filled with an adrenaline rush, raring to go.
“Great, now walk to your places at the table, one behind the other. Then stand behind your seat.”
They walked, in a row, to a chair at the table and stood behind it. Ashley was third from the end. Madeline was next to her on the left. A petite brunette was at Ashley’s right. The guys walked along the other side of the table and lined up across from them.
Ashley looked at the guy across from her. He wore tortoise shell glasses, a dark suit and had a very somber expression. Her heart clenched a moment, but then she remembered, the date was only ten minutes, and there were always others down the line.
“Take your seats, sit down now,” the voice led them, as if they were kindergarteners, during recess, waiting to be told what to do next. “Open your packets.”
They did.
“Inside your packets, you’ll find a name tag. Paste it on. That makes it easier for the person you’re dating to remember who you are.”
Ashley pasted on her name tag, and so did the guy opposite her. His name was Henry Flade.
“During the date you’ll speak to the person who is opposite you across the table. That’s your date for the next ten minutes,” the voice was giving them final instructions. “Ten minutes may seem like a short time, but you can learn a lot if you pay attention! And please remember, each person here is a whole person. Don’t just go with a first impression. You have ten minutes to find out who the person really is. Give them the benefit of the doubt, you may never see them again. Marriages have started here. Whole lives of happiness!”
A chill went through the atmosphere. Of course everybody there loved hearing that.
“Look at the person across from you now. This is your first date of the evening.”
Ashley looked again at Henry Flade and immediately decided to pass. But she stopped herself. In fact, she knew nothing about Henry. Ray had also warned her to give everyone a chance. She’d always dismissed guys quickly, it was an awful trait and she had to stop it, right now.
The bell rang again. “Okay, begin. Your first date has started.”
Ashley smiled at Henry and he nodded his head. Who are you Henry? she wondered, although, deep down, all she wanted was to get away.
“How are you tonight?” Henry started, looking at Ashley through the thick lens of his glasses.
Ashley could barely see his eyes. It was all she could to not to let her attention slide away, down across the aisle, to where other potential suitors sat, waiting.
“I’m fine, Henry, how are you?” Ashley answered halfheartedly, trying to care and failing. This was starting off badly, but she had nothing more to say to him. She knew she didn’t want to date him. Sitting across from him made her feel totally sad.
“Is this your first time speed dating?” asked Henry methodically.
One stock question after the other, Ashley thought. “It is,” she answered, as sweetly as possible, desperately straining to be attentive. “And how about you?”
“I’m here about once a month,” Henry answered. “Some nights are better than others.”
Ashley did her best to look interested. “Really?”
Henry’s energy rose a little then, “But I think tonight will be the best,” he blurted out.
Ashley wasn’t at all sure what he meant by that, and didn’t want to explore it. Was it his way of telling her he liked her? She sincerely hoped not.
“I program computers,” said Henry, “what do you do?”
For a second the answer completely escaped Ashley. Not only couldn’t she remember what she did anymore, she couldn’t remember who she was, or why she was here sitting opposite him.
She smiled blankly.
“You don’t remember what you do?” Henry looked momentarily alarmed.
“Sure, I remember,” but Ashley didn’t exactly know what to say.
“Oh God, my mother has dementia, too!” Henry burst out.
“I don’t have dementia, Henry,” Ashley was horrified.
“You looked like you did though, you looked just like her!”
“I just blanked out a moment,” said Ashley. “It’s got to be all the noise here.” Everyone was talking on top of each other.
“You get used to it,” said Henry.
Ashley didn’t plan to ever get used to being here. “Maybe?” she said calmly when thankfully, thankfully, the bell rang out.
“That’s the end of the date!” the voice called out loudly.
Ashley couldn’t believe ten minutes had already gone by!
“Well, thanks, Ashley,” Henry got up quickly, relieved to go to the next woman on line.
The next guy who sat across from Ashley’s name was Andy. He was different, smaller, thinner, with bright blue eyes.
“You sure look great tonight,” Andy started, in a very nasal voice.
“Thanks,” said Ashley. This was much better than Henry, despite the fact that she felt absolutely no attraction at all.
“I’ve been engaged three times,” said Andy.
It was more information than Ashley needed that moment.
“I like to tell the girls right away, rather than them finding out later,” Andy fessed up. “No point in wasting anyone’s time. If you can’t accept it, let me know now.”
Ashley breathed deeply. At least he was upfront and lively. But engaged three times!
“What happened?” she asked.
Andy whistled, “Now that’s a long story and I’ll reserve it for a real date. First, can you accept it? That’s the question I’m asking.”
“Not really,” said Ashley, “but I’m so glad you told me.”
“Me, too,” said Andy, tapping his fingers on the table, waiting for the bell to ring without asking Ashley even a word about herself.
The bell rang out over and over. One bad date after the next. Ashley spoke to a plastic surgeon who checked every contour of her face, an entrepreneur who loved networking but couldn’t make eye contact. She spoke to an immigration lawyer who she was sure her father would love. She wrote maybe on his card, but wasn’t really enthused about seeing him again.
It seemed like the evening would never end. There were two more dates waiting. Ashley sat back at that point at looked down to see who they were. The next one seemed ill at ease, but the one at the very end, her last date of the evening, drew Ashley’s attention. He was very cute, blonde and relaxed with a different flavor.
Ashley let her glance rest on him, and he looked back up at her and winked. She smiled back easily. He was fun, she liked him immediately and was eager for the next date to be over so she could talk to him.
The next ten minutes seemed to take longer than most of them, but then it was time for her last date.
The bell rang, the cute guy got up, sauntered over, sat across from Ashley, and grinned. His name tag said Aldon, and he was even better looking close up, with wonderful blue eyes, a great smile and an upbeat demeanor.
“Well, I’ve been waiting for this moment all night long,” Aldon started.
Ashley laughed, what a relief. He was charming as well. “A pleasure,” she said and extended her hand.
He took it and held it a minute. It felt great.
“Wow, “he whispered, “ever hear the song, I’m saving the best for last?”
They both laughed. This was fun and easy. Ashley felt as if she’d known him forever, as if whatever they did, they’d have a good time.
“Have you been here before?” Ashley asked, but didn’t think so.
“This is my first and last time, “said Aldon. “I did it on a dare from friend.”
&
nbsp; Ashley liked that. “Me, too,” she said. “What happened?”
“A woman I’d been dating for a year fled the coop,” said Aldon.
“Sorry,” said Ashley. “That was her loss.”
“You can say that again,” said Aldon, “and really, it’s fine. There was way too much pressure from her anyway. And it never, ever was really right.”
“Believe me, I get that,” Ashley commiserated. “You know when something is and isn’t right.”
“Looks like we’ve got a lot in common,” Aldon leaned closer. “I couldn’t care less what the rules here are either, give me your phone number, right now!”
Ashley loved that. He had a mind of his own – was lively, playful, qualities on her list, she suddenly remembered. She pulled out a piece of paper from her bag, quickly scrawled her number on it, and passed it to him.
Aldon took the paper and put it in his pocket. “Hope you didn’t do that with all the guys?” he said.
Ashley made a sour face and he laughed at it.
“I know,” he said, “no one here would even have the guts to ask for your number, though I’m sure everyone was secretly wanting to. They all toe the line. Not me, though.”
Ashley was enthralled.
“When I see something I want, I go right after it,” said Aldon.
A shiver ran up Ashley’s shoulder and neck.
“And I see something I want right now,” he said more softly.
“And, you’ve got my number,” Ashley joined the game. It was refreshing to end the evening talking to Aldon.
“I’ve got to run right after this night is over,” said Aldon. “But don’t think I’m running out on you. I’m not. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it,” said Ashley. She took a deep breath. This was exciting. She felt new life surging through her.