Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: googled (04/10/14)
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TITLE: Strategies of the Huntress | Previous Challenge Entry
By Sheldon Bass
04/17/14 -
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Parked nose to nose across a small table at Olive Garden restaurant, the dim candle-light sparkled in Beverly’s eyes as she spoke with assurance.
“I’m a veterinary technician at the ‘We Care’ pet hospital. I've always loved animals. I think God made a particular dog for each person so they’d have a special kind of friend.”
Hmmm. I always ask my dates how they feel about dogs. Has she been reading my pet blog?
Answering I said, “I think so too. I’m a big animal lover.”
With a heart melting smile, she continued.
“But Jesus is my first love. I attend Hillside Baptist church and teach a fifth grade Sunday school class.”
Okay… It’s like she can read my mind and knows exactly what I hope to hear.
“Really? I teach a bible class too, only mine is adults. And Jesus will always be my greatest love.”
I was waiting for the usual getting-to-know-me questions, but they never came, as if she already knew the answers.
Our efficient waitress took our order, ladies first.
“I’ll have the eggplant parmesan.”
Well, she has good taste. That’s what I usually order here.
“And for you sir?”
“I’ll have the same.”
“Would you like to try some of our house wine?”
Beverly was quick to answer.
“We don’t drink alcohol. Just water for me.”
“Water here too, with lemon.”
How did she know I don’t drink?
As the evening progressed, it was obvious we were enjoying each other’s company. We’d agreed on all the major issues and even participated in many of the same activities. Physical fitness, nutrition and religion were all mirror images of the other’s heart and mind. It was as if some cosmic cupid had programmed our software for compatibility.
Later into the date, I thought about how open my life was to the internet. If someone were to google my name, between my two blogs, twitter and Facebook pages they’d find out all about me: My likes and dislikes and how I spend my time. I was convinced Beverly had done her homework on the world-wide-web. I simply had to know.
“Okay Beverly, be honest. You googled me didn’t you?”
“No. No I didn’t.”
“But you did know a lot about me before tonight. Didn’t you?”
She answered with silence and a coy, flirtatious smile.
We parted that night with a promise for a second date. Back at home I was still tingling from a brief good-night kiss when the telephone rang.
“Hi son, it’s mom. Just called to hear your voice. Met any nice girls or been on any dates?”
Hmmm. Timing?
“Matter of fact I met a beautiful girl named Beverly. We went out tonight—just got home.”
“That’s wonderful son. Can’t wait to meet her.”
That may not sound like a strange thing to say. Unless of course you knew my mother. The first question concerning a new woman had always been: Is she a Christian? Or, does she go to church? Followed by a full scale interrogation, minus the bright light. Her next statement fully unfurled the flags of suspicion.
“I’m sure you two are made for each other.”
Huh? Who are you, and what have you done with mother?”
She continued on with many suggestions for what to do on our second date.
“Mom.”
She kept talking.
“Mom!”
Still talking.
“MOM! How do you know Beverly?”
“What makes you think I know her?”
This time my voice had that rising accusatory sound. “Mother?”
“Okay. Beverly said she met you in the store and you mentioned that her middle name is the same as my first name, so she googled me, and found my phone number. …She is such a sweet girl.”
I should have known. Mom always did like to play matchmaker.
Twenty-two years later, the hair on my neck stands at attention and I get a strange feeling in my stomach whenever my wife, Beverly is talking to Mom on the phone. I was hooked and landed before I knew what hit me. And sometimes I feel like a puppet. But seeing as how it’s Beverly, I wouldn't have it any other way.
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And then later I think you need some commas in the sentence about the mother. "Unless, of course, you know my mother..."
Any one agree? Disagree?
God bless~
I'm totally guilty of googling people. It's a really bad habit. Like internet eavesdropping.
I almost wish the story hadn't been tied up so neatly; that maybe old Bev turned out to be crazy, but that's just me. I thought the story was super cute and I really enjoyed it.