by Lonz Cook
Suzie turned as soon as she heard the music change. “Hi Dad,” she greeted.
“Hi,” Manny answered. “You’re making dinner. How much is this going to cost me?”
“Come on, I don’t always ask for money.”
“I’m not so sure of that,” he laughed.
“You seemed a little out of it yesterday. I remember when I was little you liked eating authentic pizza from Gianelli’s. I didn’t get here early enough to order one so I did one of Mom’s quick dish recipes.”
“Thanks for cooking,” he smiled, “but I’m okay.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’m okay.” Manny looked on the counter where Suzie normally dropped her phone whenever she entered the kitchen. “Is something wrong with your phone?”
“Oh, it died. I have to get a new one tomorrow.”
“Didn’t you just get that one a few months ago? You’re hard on phones.”
“That was five months ago and there are new apps I want to get. Besides, I like the colors on some of the new ones,” Suzie giggled, “and the new phones have locator apps on them,” she smiled. She had learned how to defuse her dad as a child.
“New colors, yeah good reason to buy another phone,” Manny said.
Suzie looked into the oven and grabbed the oven mitts to take the casserole dish out. “Dinner’s ready. Take a load off, I’ll fix your plate.”
“No, I need a few minutes. I have to shower. Would you open a bottle of wine for me? I have something I want to share with you.”
“Is it one of your adventures Dad?” asked Suzie.
Manny walked to the bathroom before answering. He turned on the shower and shouted “maybe,” just as he closed the bathroom door. The sound of running water didn’t allow her to understand his answer. She found a bottle of white wine to open, poured two glasses and took them to the dining room table.
Manny returned from the shower and entered the kitchen. “Hey, dinner smells good. What is it?”
“It’s goulash.”
“I can’t wait,” Manny said and filled his plate. “Can I fix your plate too?”
“Sure Dad, thanks.”
Manny served up the second plate and took both of them to the dining room. He and Suzie ate their meal and engaged in small talk between bites.
“So, what did you want to tell me… is it another woman?” Suzie asked.
“Yes and no. It’s not what you think. I haven’t met anyone, well not yet.”
“Okay Dad, I don’t get it. Why ‘not yet’ ?”
“I joined an online dating site.”
“You did what?” Suzie nearly choked on her goulash.
“Yup, I surfed the internet last night and ended up on a dating website. I hadn’t planned on it, but I saw a few attractive women that I couldn’t send a message to without a profile, so I joined.”
“I can’t believe you of all people would join an online dating site. What’s going on? You’ve never had problems meeting women.”
“I know, but the women I meet here all seem the same. I’m looking for someone different.”
Suzie thought about his last comment and recalled some of the women he dated since his military retirement. On the second day in West Palm Beach, he met Suzie’s English teacher when he picked her up from school. The two adults became close friends over time. Suzie hoped Manny would find someone to love because she didn’t want him to grow old alone.
Manny stared at Suzie and waited for a response. Puzzled as to why she hadn’t answered, he asked again. “What’s wrong with wanting someone different?”
“You’re right, Dad. You should break the mold. I remember your last girlfriend. She was like the first one after you and mom divorced. I told you she wasn’t going to work.”
“I remember, Suzie. I remember.”
“So, you should do something different, but before you send someone an email, I want to read it.”
“No, no, no,” Manny frowned taking a sip of wine, “You’ll change everything I write.”
“Dad, I only want to make sure you say the right thing. You need to come off as above average.”
“I hear you, but let me write something before you look over my shoulder. They need to see me through my words and that’s not possible if you’re writing it.”
Suzie smiled. “Okay, you’re right. They need to see the real you because I won’t be with you on any of your dates. You taught me a lesson when I dated Ed. Remember our disastrous double date?”
Manny chuckled. “Yes, it was awful, wasn’t it? I didn’t know you hadn’t told him I was your dad.”
“I did, but I guess you didn’t fit the ‘dad’ mold he had in mind, especially since I spent all my time building you up to Carol and he felt ignored.”
“Oh yes, Carol,” he added while shaking his head, she was...”
“…a nightmare!” Suzie finished his sentence.
“I never knew a woman could be so demanding. She reminded me of a hard-ass Chief Petty Officer. She wanted to control every aspect of my life - move into my apartment, have keys to my truck, change my diet and stop me from working out. But most important of all she tried to limit my time with you. I’m glad we could share that horrible experience.”
“Me too.” Suzie giggled.
Chapter 5
Steven stood at the door of Caffe Trieste and watched Tiffany approach. He recalled how she had looked the night before. In his mind, she was much prettier. Her hair was combed back in a ponytail and it flowed in the wind as she walked. Her hips swayed, enticing his imagination. “Impressive,” he observed her approach.
Steven smiled and said, “Wow!”
“Hi. Thanks for the compliment,” Tiffany shook his hand and smiled.
“Before we go inside, let me say thank you for coming I was afraid you wouldn’t show up.” Steven said as they moved inside approaching the service counter.
“Why?”
“You know, when you try to make a good first impression and it doesn’t go very well. It’s over before it begins.”
“I get it.” Tiffany looked at the menu board above the counter. “I’m not sure what I’d like to drink.”
“Coffee?” Steven suggested.
“I um...coffee, yes, maybe I’ll have a latte.”
“I’m having regular coffee.”
When the barista approached, he quickly ordered a medium coffee then stepped aside. Tiffany was disappointed when she realized Steven wasn’t quite the gentleman she had hoped; she figured he would have allowed her to order first.
“I’ll have a small latte, thank you,” she ordered.
Steven looked at the counter of desserts, glanced at Tiffany, and said, “Would you like anything else?”
“No thank you.”
Steven pointed to a dessert cake and held up one finger, ordering a slice and placed money on the counter.
They stood at the counter waiting for their order. Steven looked at Tiffany.
“Tell me, what is it that you do?”
“What do you mean? Are you asking if I have a job?”
“Yes, do you work?”
“Yes, I work at a department store, remember?” Tiffany replied.
“Oh yeah, that’s right. You told me last night. It must be fascinating.”
Tiffany attempted to understand his comment. She tried to decipher if he was being sarcastic. “It’s a job. Not fascinating, but it’s ok.”
“I’d think it would be fascinating seeing different people.”
“True, and sometimes you see people you hope not to see again.”
“Doesn’t that apply to everyone we meet?”
“I suppose you’re right.”
The barista placed their order on the counter. Steven grabbed his coffee and cake and waited until Tiffany picked up her cup before walking to a table in the back of the shop. He didn’t say anything, he just walked away, Tiffany frowned in disap
pointment. She followed him and sat across from Steven, then watched him take a big bite of his cake and a slurp of coffee.
She couldn’t believe his table manners, watching him inhale an enormous portion of cake as if it was his last meal.
“So, Steven, tell me about yourself.”
“Well, I like dancing. I like playing Ultimate, I enjoy water sports, and I like to travel.”
“I like dancing and water sports too, but I don’t know anything about Ultimate.”
“It’s a great game. It’s like football, but with a Frisbee.”
“Really?”
“Yes, one team tries to stop the other from scoring in the end zone. The way you play the game is you throw the Frisbee to a teammate. The guy with the Frisbee can’t advance; he has to pass it. They keep doing it until somebody scores. But the defense can intercept the Frisbee at any time and they try to score, just like football.”
“OK, I’m not much of a football fan, but maybe you can show me sometime.”
“Sure. What I really like to do best is travel.”
“What’s been your favorite trip so far?”
“I went to Rome one year, and it was awesome. I flew from San Fran to New York and then caught a flight to Rome. The plane landed in the middle of the night and the airport was still incredibly busy; it was exciting and overwhelming. I had no idea where to go next, so I just followed all of the tourist signs. Thank God, most had English translation on them. You know, some people read about their destination before leaving, but not me. I went without doing any research.” Steven paused for a sip of his coffee and continued. “I ran into a guy who had traveled the Italian countryside. Man, was he helpful. I followed his advice, took the local train in to the city and found a hotel. Did you know many European hotels share bathrooms? I had no idea. And they’re co-ed, too! I learned so much from the experience. The next day I got a chance to see Rome. I went to the Coliseum and the Forum. Have you ever been there?” Steven didn’t wait for a response and continued talking. “It was great. You’re in the middle of these ancient buildings and you wonder how did they lift those huge boulders or those cement blocks? Astonishing.”
“Sounds like you had a great time,” Tiffany remarked.
“Yeah, it was awesome. And did you know the streets are like here in the states? You know, it’s really not much different from being here in San Fran. I thought it would be for some reason.” Steven continued with great detail of his travel experience. After 40 minutes of rambling, with Tiffany contributing nothing during his monologue, she felt she had given him enough of her time. Tiffany rose from her seat, looked at Stephen and shook her head. He finally stopped talking.
“I didn’t realize it was so late. I’ve got to go,” she informed him.
“I didn’t get to tell you about France.”
“No, you didn’t and I honestly don’t think you will.” Tiffany left Caffe Trieste and headed home.
Disappointed, Tiffany entered her apartment, went straight to her laptop, and booted it up then smirked. At least when these online dating guys ramble in a chat, I can disconnect.
Chapter 6
After dinner, Manny turned on his desktop and uploaded the dating website. He and Suzie surfed profiles.
“I never considered online dating,” admitted Suzie, “I mean I’ve heard some of my friends talk about chat room sites, but it never occurred to me to give dating websites a try.”
Manny looked at her with a smirk, “It’s because your age group doesn’t need help with dates. You know, a college kid has multiple opportunities finding someone on campus. People my age don’t have that pool of singles to choose from.”
“Ah, come on Dad, you’ve found numerous ‘Miss Rights’.”
“No, they weren’t right for me. I don’t want to end up like some of the guys at the plant. You know, married, hate going home and drinking themselves into a stupor. It’s not worth it. And most women want an engagement ring within two months. I won’t do it until I find the woman that makes a great partner.”
“Do you honestly think searching online is where you’ll find her?”
“I thought about it for hours last night. I surfed and read a few profiles. There seems to be a million women out there, my odds look good. What have I got to lose? I figure it’s easier to avoid them than dodging someone local like Katie, for instance.”
“Oh yes, scary stalker Katie,” Suzie giggled. “She loved you and didn’t want to let you go.”
“Loved me!? You can’t be serious. We went on two dates. I never touched her. Loved me? Everywhere I went I felt her eyes on me.”
“Yeah that would get on my nerves too.”
“No doubt.” Manny clicked on a profile picture and a profile description appeared. “Here’s one I saw last night. I was too tired to read about her.” He and Suzie read the headline Soft and Sexy, “Catchy headline,” Manny admitted.
“I think you better move on, Dad.”
Manny read the description and found out she was a 43-year old with four kids, the oldest one was 17 and the youngest was nine months. “Soft and Sexy alright,” Manny sighed.
“You have to look further than a pretty face.”
The website’s instant messenger “dinged” and the comment box popped up. They both looked at the message window.
“Hi, you,” she wrote.
“Should I answer?” Manny asked.
“Why not?”
Manny typed, Hi - and waited for a response. It wasn’t long before words appeared in the IM box.
You’re a handsome man. I’d love to get to know you. Why are you on a dating website?
He looked at Suzie with a wrinkled forehead, puzzled expression. “What kind of question is that?”
“She’s being very direct without playing games.”
“Games?”
“Come on, Dad, don’t be so naive. You know what you’re looking for online. Tell her you’re here to meet interesting people.”
Manny followed Suzie’s instructions and typed exactly what she said. He received an instant response. Me too, but I want more.
“Wow, this lady doesn’t mess around.” He thought aloud.
“Most people don’t mess around when they aren’t looking at you in a face-to-face situation. This is a great way to hide. People can say anything and not mean it at all.”
“I hadn’t filtered it that way,” he paused, “but let me test her with this answer, and we’ll see how far she goes in her response.” Manny wrote:
I’m looking for a one night stand and maybe if you’re good we can go for two.
She responded: Oh, I’m good baby, just say when and where.
Suzie read the IM. “You better be careful what you ask for. I bet she’d be in your bed tonight if you suggested it.”
“Who does this over the Internet?”
“Everybody Dad… from what I hear.”
“You think so?”
The IM chimed and another message appeared: What are you waiting for? Tell me how we can connect.
Manny read the IM and said, “I guess I should at least look at her profile.” When he followed the IM profile name and clicked on it, her information filled the screen. “Oh my goodness, she’s old enough to be my grandmother!” Manny exclaimed, as he pushed back from the desktop.
Chapter 7
Following a night of Internet surfing well past midnight, Tiffany didn’t get out of bed until after 10 a.m. She put her feet on the floor, rose from bed and gazed out of her bedroom window. She pondered about the interesting men and the trio of women she had met in a chat room. Tiffany lucked out in the chat room she had chosen. She’d connected with people with like ideas. To her it felt as if they had sat around her kitchen table, sharing a pot of coffee.
Her cell phone rang interrupting her. She answered after a quick glance at the Caller ID.
“Hi, Valerie.”
“Tiff, how’s everything?”<
br />
“I’m good - getting ready for work. What are you up to?”
“Not much. Just called to see if you’ve talked to Steven.”
“I did, and he’s not the one.” Tiffany sighed in disgust.
“Why not? He was cute.”
“We met for coffee yesterday, and it didn’t go well.”
“What happened?”
“He talked on and on. I never got a word in edgewise.”
“That it!?”
“That’s enough. You know most guys would at least let you get in a word or two. And besides, he was so young.”
“No, not most, just some. Those who do are keepers.”
“Steven’s not a keeper.”
“I hear you.” Valerie paused then asked, “So what time do you get off tonight?”
“Eight.”
“Just in time to go out; we’re going to have fun.”
“No, I’m not going out. It’s stay-at-home night for me.” Tiffany made her decision and stood firm.
“Another online date night?”
“No, I stayed up late last night, so I’m crashing early tonight.”
“You’re wasting your life online. You’re missing out sitting with your eyes glued to a screen.”
“It’s better than sitting in front of a boring guy all the while planning your escape.”
“But at least you see him in the flesh and you can actually interact. Come on, Tiff, I know you can find someone interesting in the city.”
“I’ve got to go, Valerie, or I’ll be late for work. Catch you later.”
“Okay, if you change your mind, call me. Bye.”
“Bye.” Tiffany placed the cell in her purse and thought Valerie’s comment rang true. She’s right. I should be able to meet men in this city.
Tiffany arrived at her job, checked in, and began her shift. She helped a few customers with their jewelry selections and had several big sales. She managed to keep an eye out for attractive men while she pitched high priced items. Today, most of the good-looking guys that came in the store were with women. She noticed one guy leaning over the jewelry counter, stroking his moustache, looking at the displays. Tiffany approached offering her assistance. Looking up at Tiffany, he pointed at a gem encrusted seahorse broach, “Can I see this one?”