by Mya O'Malley
“What do you think it means?”
“What does it mean? Absolutely nothing. He’s a serial dater, it’s obvious! I’m not about to let myself become his next unsuspecting victim.” Annie was firm about her opinion on the subject.
“I hate to point this out, but he has evidence to think the same exact thing about you, you know.” Looking directly at Annie, Sam was the voice of reason.
The young man behind the counter cleared his throat as he was wiping the counter down. They were the last customers in the place and it appeared that Mr. Piercings was giving them a hint that it was time to leave.
“But, it’s not like that with me…Aaron isn’t my boyfriend.”
“Yes, true, but Shane doesn’t know that and you don’t know his situation, either, that’s all I’m saying.” Sam pointed to the worker, sweeping around their feet. It was time to go home.
“Okay, let’s call it a night. Come on.”
Annie put her arm around her friend’s shoulder and they walked out into the cold night air.
* * * *
She was right. Maybe there was a reason for all of those women. But there were a lot of them. Annie’s decision was to do nothing. She wouldn’t search for him online, she would just chalk it up to a funny, strange experience. Was she relieved that her online dating journey had finally ended? Yes, she supposed, but still… There was that nagging little feeling like she was leaving something important behind. Like she was on vacation and she left something in the hotel room. Thinking back to her five bachelors, she chuckled lightly. A thought popped up in Annie’s head. When did Shane first contact her? Curiosity got the best of her as Annie logged on to the site and found the first e-mail from Shane without his photo. His message was funny and sweet. The next one was creative, she would give him credit for that. Would he have been bachelor number six? No, actually he was the seventy-sixth man who had contacted her online. Bachelor number seventy-six. That was unbelievable. Well, bachelor number seventy-six, it looks like you don’t get that date. Just so she wouldn’t be tempted, she deleted the messages from Shane. Waving goodbye as the words disappeared, Annie spotted Cleo on the counter. She hugged him close, feeling confident that she was making the right choice.
* * * *
Annie’s mom called to invite her to dinner the following week. It had been quiet lately and Annie missed her parents, so she eagerly accepted the invitation. It would do her good to spend some quality time with family.
The week flew by and Annie tried to keep herself busy. She wanted to keep her mind off dating, and in particular, she wanted to forget Shane Nicholls ever existed. He hadn’t tried to contact her again on the website, and now her membership had expired, so that was that. From now on, any dating she did would be done the old-fashioned way. Boy meets girl. Boy kisses girl. They fall in love. Who needed modern love, anyway?
Her parents lived about fifteen miles away in the small town of Brookville. Brookville was a family-friendly town with a few stores and a local library. Annie loved the cozy town and the warm memories that it brought to her mind. Her childhood home was a small cape that was now slate blue with white shutters. Growing up, it had been yellow with white shutters. Mom’s garden was still out back. Presently, her mom was into growing cucumbers and various types of lettuce. The home almost had a smell to it - cookies, flowers, homemade chicken soup - like the smell of childhood. Smiling, Annie reached out to ring the doorbell before entering.
“Annie!” Her father scooped her up in his arms and held her tight.
“Hi Daddy.” She breathed in his cologne, another familiar smell of childhood.
Annie’s mom came rushing to the door, wiping her hands on her apron. “Annie, you look too skinny! Aren’t you eating?” Her mom inspected her with worried eyes, glancing up and down.
“Mom! Please!”
Grabbing her hand, Annie’s mom pulled her into the kitchen. Annie sat at the wooden kitchen table. Things pretty much appeared the same as they had when Annie was a small child. A new picture here or there, a new kitchen table. The countertops were new, the fridge new, but somehow the place was the same in Annie’s eyes. She felt safe from the world here in her childhood home. The smell of sauce filled the air. Mmm. Mom was making Annie’s favorite, spaghetti and meatballs with homemade sauce.
“You didn’t have to go through so much trouble, Mom.” Annie’s mom walked over and sat down beside her daughter at the table.
“It’s my pleasure.” She took her daughter’s hand, holding it in her own.
Annie’s dad went upstairs to finish getting ready, as Annie stood to help herself to a diet cola.
“Honey, how’s Samantha doing?”
“She’s good, mom. She and Terry are doing great.”
“Any news of the pitter patter of little feet?”
Oh boy, here it comes. It was inevitable. Somehow, this conversation was going to turn towards her and her lack of a relationship, lack of marriage, lack of children. It wasn’t intentional, but somehow it was always right there, like an open sore. Trying to change the subject seldom worked, but it was worth a shot.
“How’s your book club coming along? Any new discussions lately?” How lame was that? It was all she had.
“Oh, you know. Same old, same old. How about you? Anyone special in your life?”
Accustomed to just saying no, Aaron crept into her mind. Maybe that would satisfy her mom.
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I did meet someone. A special friend, his name is Aaron.”
“A special friend? Okay dear, tell me about him.” Leaning forward, she seemed eager to hear all about it.
Annie told her all about Aaron and their friendship, everything, of course, except how they met.
Annie’s mom scrunched her eyebrows together and regarded Annie with curiosity. “How did you say you met this Aaron fellow?”
I didn’t, Annie thought.“Oh, mom. Do we have to get into all of the gory details?” Annie rolled her eyes to the ceiling. She didn’t like lying to anyone, especially her mother. Sighing deeply, she told her mom that she had met him online.
“Jerry, Jerry! Get down here, quickly.” Clutching at her chest, Annie’s mom called for her husband. Annie could feel the inevitable lecture coming her way. Cringing, she braced herself for the impending storm.
Her father’s footsteps pounded down the stairs , announcing his arrival.
“What’s the matter, dear?” He rushed over to his wife’s side. “You look awful.”
“She’s doing that dating thing, online.”
“You mean the dating websites?”
“Yes! She could meet anybody on those websites, a murderer, who knows? It’s like a breeding ground for criminals!”
“Honey, stop and relax, she just has to be careful. All the young kids are doing it nowadays, it’s a different world from when you and I were out there.”
“What’s the matter with you? She could get hurt!”
Watching this conversation go back and forth like a tennis match, Annie was cheering for her dad. Since when had he become so versatile in the ways of youth today? She was amazed as she watched their interaction continue.
“Beth, honey. She could meet a psychopath at the grocery store or the local bar, also.”
“Yes!” Standing up, Annie paced the small kitchen. “He’s right, Mom. I’m a smart woman. I don’t share any personal information and I always meet in a public place.” That didn’t seem to appease Annie’s mom.
“Besides, it’s over. My membership is up and I’m not renewing.” There. Now that seemed to make Annie’s mom feel better.
“Oh, honey. It’s just that I worry about you.” Annie’s mom fiddled with her hair.
“Of course you do, you’re supposed to, it’s your job. I worry about you, too. But I have to live my life. I want to be happy.”
“I know you do. I’m sorry. Don’t stop on account of me.”
Was it that easy? Usually Annie’s mom remained stubborn about her tho
ughts and beliefs. A bulldozer couldn’t make her budge. Then again, Annie’s dad was backing her up this time, making her think about the wisdom of his words.
Annie explained her experience so far on the site, toning it down, of course, so that her mom wouldn’t worry. She even slipped Shane’s name into the conversation, knowing it was a mistake almost instantly.
“Wait a minute. This Shane guy, where did you say you met him?”
“Online?” The words squeaked out of Annie’s mouth. Wasn’t that considered a white lie?
“No, I thought you said something about a mall, or was that a pizzeria?” Her brows scrunched in confusion.
“It doesn’t matter, Mom. Obviously, the guy is trouble.” She waved her hand, dismissing the thought like a pesky fly.
“Oh, yes, he definitely seems like trouble. I would definitely stay away.” Nodding her head sarcastically, Annie’s mom grabbed a bottle of spring water from the fridge. Was it her imagination or was her mother trying to tell her that she thought it would be a good idea to hook up with Shane?
“Earth to Mom, are you serious? You actually think that I should pursue dating this Shane guy? What is that based on? What about that girlfriend of his from the vet’s office?”
“It’s based on common sense. Sometimes when you’re too close to a situation, it’s hard to see the truth. It seems to me that you two are meant to be, like love at first sight.”
Annie nearly spilled her can of diet cola on the table. “What did you just say?”
“I said, it seems to me…”
“I heard that. The last part.”
“It’s love at first sight, anyone can see it but you.”
“Mom, he’s a player! You don’t know anything about him! Besides, since when did you start believing in love at first sight?” Was this her mother or had some alien taken over her body? Tossing her smooth blond hair over her shoulder, Annie was all ears.
“You never could see clearly when you were close to a situation. Take a step back, Annie. Look at the big picture.”
Dumbfounded, Annie could merely shake her head. “She’s right, you know.” Annie’s dad spoke up. “Your mother and I, it was love at first sight for us.”
Her head cocked to the side, not sure if she should look at her mom or her dad. Annie was stupefied.
“Yes, your father and I met in high school. I was just opening my locker and grabbing some textbooks when a boy bumped into me. My books fell all over the floor and he bent down to help me pick up my things. Our eyes locked, and Bam! The rest is history.”
Bam? Was this some kind of alternate universe? It couldn’t be. Was it possible that Annie’s parents had met in a similar way, with her father playing the role of the klutz?
Speechless, Annie could only shake her head.
“Why didn’t you tell me about this? I thought you guys met in school through friends.”
“You never asked. It was like fate.” Annie’s father stood up and walked around the table, placing a loving arm around his wife of many years.
“Now, go wash up for dinner, it’s your favorite. Oh, and I got apple pie a la mode for dessert.”
Dinner was pleasant and Annie saw her parents through new eyes. She saw the young kids they used to be, saw how much in love they were, even now. Annie wished more than anything that she could one day find a love like theirs. Who knew that her parents would become her role model for true love?
Chapter Eighteen
It was useless. If there was any chance that he could get that woman out of his mind before, there was no way it was possible after that kiss. That kiss was crazy. He felt like he was consumed with her, like he breathed her. He had kissed women before, of course, but there was never anything that came close to his kiss with Annie the other night. She was something, Annie. He chuckled just thinking about her walking back out to the restaurant that night, her hair and make-up a mess with toilet paper attached to her heels. He laughed out loud imagining her date’s reaction when she walked back to the table. After thinking about Annie non-stop since the other night, he came to the conclusion that he had to see her again. He had to try. There was no way that she didn’t feel anything after the way she kissed him. He didn’t know what her situation was with dating, but she obviously wasn’t too close with the guy who picked her up if she kissed him like that, all the while being on a date with another man.
He knew just where to find her, too. Not being sure of her hours, he tried to think of the day of the week Tiny had last been to the vet. It was a Saturday, he recalled. With a plan of action planted firmly in his head, Shane reached for his cell.
Waiting for someone to pick up on the other end, he tapped his pen briskly on the table. “Dr. Peter’s office, may I help you?” A young woman’s voice came on the line.
“Yes, I’d like to schedule an appointment for my dog.” He couldn’t believe that he was actually doing this.
“Could I have the dog’s name, please?” the efficient receptionist inquired.
“Tiny. Tiny Nicholls.” It always sounded odd to Shane to think of a dog with a last name.
“Let’s see…Tiny Nicholls. Yes, wait a minute. Weren’t you just here?”
“Ah, yes, but I think that my dog has fleas.” It was the only thing he could think of.
“All of a sudden? Don’t you use flea and tick prevention?”
What was this, an inquisition? Just make the appointment.
“Well, yes. I noticed a flea or two hopping on him just today. I do use a flea and tick preventative, but it mustn’t have worked, I don’t know.” Lame, lame, lame.
“Okay.” The woman exaggerated the word like she thought he was nuts, but so be it. The sound of rustling papers could be heard coming from the other end. “How about Tuesday around five o’clock?” Tuesday, no, that wouldn’t work, he didn’t know if Annie worked on Tuesday evenings. It had to be on Saturday.
“Saturday is the only day that works for me.” He heard a muffled sigh coming from the phone.
“Sorry, the office is closed this Saturday. Pick another day during the week.”
“No, no. Saturdays are the only days that I can make it. How about next Saturday?”
The woman’s tone was definitely cooler now. She was becoming increasingly annoyed and he honestly couldn’t say he blamed her. “Sir. If your dog has fleas, do you think it’s a good idea to make the poor thing wait another week?”
Trying to sound as rational as possible, Shane cleared his throat, “It’s okay, I’ll take next Saturday and meanwhile I’ll put some more medicine on him.”
“Sir…I have a twelve o’clock, but…” Her voice was firmer this time.
“Thank you. Next Saturday at twelve it is.” He slammed down his cell before she could say anything else. Raking his hand through his unkempt brown hair, he sighed. He would have to wait another week to see Annie, but he had waited this long, right?
* * * *
The next week dragged by. Shane went about his business, working at the high school, staying after school to tutor once or twice a week. According to his contract, Shane needed to put in an extra night a year, not including the back to school nights and evening conferences with parents. It was Thursday night and the annual theater performance was presenting its opening night. The school was putting on a classic Broadway play and they usually did a spectacular job. He was actually looking forward to this evening’s performance. His only job would be to open the door to parents, make sure the lobby was quiet when the play began and enjoy the show. He could think of worse ways to spend a night at work.
The show was almost ready to begin and the hum from the audience was softening. The lights lowered as Shane spied an open seat near the door. He went to sit down when out of the corner of his eye, a woman walked through the door. She had medium length brown hair and a slight build. A large, heavy-set, balding man with a goatee was beside her, holding her hand. Oh man, it was Lori! Having nowhere to hide, he gritted his teeth and let the happy couple
through the door.
Lori’s mouth dropped open when she realized that it was Shane opening the door for her. He nodded politely and ushered them to one of the spots where there were two seats together. The man, oblivious to the interaction between the two, thanked Shane and sat down to watch the show.
Shane started to walk away and didn’t look back. He hoped this didn’t set Lori off. She had finally stopped calling and texting him after the vet episode. Settling in to watch the play, nagging thoughts of Lori stayed on his mind. There was something about that woman that worried him. It was like she wasn’t stable. He couldn’t even imagine her being a mother to a young child.
During the fifteen-minute intermission, Shane avoided eye contact with Lori when she walked past him, although he could feel her eyes burning into him. Shane waited until she was seated and grabbed himself an energy bar and a bottle of water.
The play was excellent; Shane was pleased with his choice for putting in his extra hours at work. Now all he had to do was wait for the audience to file out of the auditorium and he was free to go home. He spied Lori walking up the aisle and positioned himself at the opposite door. He wasn’t afraid of Lori or her date, for that matter, he just didn’t want to open up a Pandora’s box by speaking with her. Somehow, without Shane knowing how she pulled it off, Lori and her date were coming straight at him. There was nowhere to go, nowhere to hide. He swallowed and kept his eyes straight ahead. Perhaps there was someone he knew that he could spark up a conversation with; desperately scanning the people approaching, unfortunately there was no one that he knew.
“Oh, wow, look who it is!” Lori’s voice was dripping with sarcasm. It was lost on her date. He stood by her side like an innocent looking puppy, eager to please. Smiling at Shane, the man waited for introductions to go around.
“Billy, this is Shane. Shane, Billy. Billy’s nephew is in the play.” The moment that Billy heard Shane’s name aloud, his body language noticeably shifted. Billy straightened up, puffing out his chest. Shane extended his hand toward the man, doing his best to be civil. Did Lori actually talk about him with this man? They had only been on a few dates.