As the sun peeked through the clouds and over the pine trees, I laid there and listened as the wonderful sound of my coffeepot finished making.  I could smell the aroma as it filled the house and still my body continued to disobey my orders to get up and get ready for school.  Before the alarm clock had a chance to go off for the third time I reached over and turned some music on and just laid there listening to the slow moving song that was playing.  Slowly sitting up I glanced over and saw a date circled in red.  Going over I looked at the calendar, and immediately it   brought back painful memories of just a year ago when Andrew left me.  Coming in from work and found the note attached to the mirror in the bedroom telling me to have a great life.  Only God and I knew how lonely I was, especially every month when I went to the bank to make the huge monthly payment on the house, until I finally got it paid off.  I felt the only way that God had of getting me through this was allowing me to pour all my energy into working a full time job at night and going to class for 4 hours a day.  Praying the whole time that once I graduated that I would get the office position that I had applied for a few months earlier.   God allowed Edmund Britt, a long time friend that had always been there for me all through school, even at times that he did not know that he was there.  When I decided to sign to take these courses I did not  have a clue that he was doing the exact same thing and I’m sure not for the same reason.  But that didn't matter, what mattered was that we were there for each other and could study together, even though we drove each other absolutely crazy.   Finishing up my chores in the back of the house I exited to the kitchen where I could smell the coffee pot calling my name, Tina, Tina come and get a cup of coffee to start your day with.  Pouring me a cup I sat down and begin to read over some notes for a test that I had in just a few hours, it took everything I could do to stay a wake and prepare myself.  But I knew I needed to know this cause it was going to be for a main grade and I couldn't  afford not to pass.  Getting startled by a knock on my front door and swinging open, I knew exactly who it was but it still scared the total crap out of me.  Edmund just died out laughing and walked over to the coffee pot

     “Edmund, don’t you ever do that to me again.”  

    “I’m sorry I didn't mean to scare you.”

    “Oh sure you didn't you knew exactly where I’d be and you stood there and waited for me to get involved in studying and decided to scare the total crap out of me.”    Getting up I went over and poured Edmund a cup of coffee sat it down on the table then reached over and slugged him on the arm.

    “Don’t ever do that again.

    “Well, I couldn't resist..”

    “Yeah, I noticed.”
    “You ready to go?”
     “Do I look ready?”
     “No, so get your rear in gear and let’s go.”
     “All right I’m going are you ready for this test?”
     “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be, listen have you heard anything about that office position?”
     “I heard last night through the grapevine that they were making their final decision this week.  So keep me in mind would you?  I would absolutely die if I got that job after working in the factory for so long.”

    “What does the job depend on?"

    “On how well I did on the test and if anyone else beats me out over my scores.  I’m not sure how many applicants they had but I feel confident that I passed all the test.”  Walking back to the kitchen, Edmund was finishing up his coffee and sort of rushing me.
     “Are you ready?  It’s 7:50.”
     “Yeah, I know I’m coming right now.”  Getting in our own vehicles we both went to tackle the day at school.  Getting to the room Mrs. Chandler already had our test lying on our desk and told us we could get started on it as soon as we got settled.  Turning my test over I looked at it for just a minute, and then my mind went absolutely blank.    I couldn't  remember a thing that I had read over before I left home until something snapped and brought me back to reality.  Filling in the test as good as thought it should be I was reading back over it when someone their was a knock on the door.  Mrs. Chandler motioned for them to come in, the girl handed her a note, and in turn she handed the note to me.  Looking at the note Mr. Koffman wanted me to come in for a second interview, so with that being my last class I left of there as fast as I could so I could go home and change clothes.  Leaving out the door and going toward my car I heard Edmund behind me.
    “Tina, wait up!”  Getting to my car I waited for him to get there before I got in.
    “What cha want?”
    “Don’t be so snippy.”    
    “I’m sorry I've got a second interview for that office job and  I have to be there by 2:30 and it’s 1:00 and I still have to go home and change, I can’t go on this interview in blue jeans.”
    “Okay, good luck and I’ll call you later.”
    “Great.”  Jumping in the car I started out of the school parking lot when a dark blue Suburban with tented windows came across the parking lot.  Getting to the house I changed clothes and put my blue jeans in the car just in case I needed them for my second shift job.  Getting to the plant I knew I was a few minutes early but that was okay.  The receptionist looked at me sort of funny when I told her who I was, on my first interview I had to take several test and I wondered how I had done on them.  Setting there a tall man with glasses came out and ask the receptionist if I was there, she smiled and pointed at me.  He came over and smiled at me and reached out to shake my hand.
    “Tina, I’m Mr. Koffman, the office manager and I appreciate you coming in on such short notice.”  Shaking his hand I sort of smiled and told him that it wasn't a problem.  Going into a small office he ask me to have a seat and we’d start with the interview.
    “Well, Tina you have been with our company for what almost a year, right?”
    “Yes sir that’s right.”
    “And you started training a guy what two weeks ago, is that right?”
    “Yes sir that’s right.”
    “How is he doing, what is his name again?”
    “Brad.”
    “Oh yes, now I remember how is Brad doing?”
    “I thine’s doing fine, he seems to be able to run the machine pretty much by himself now.  And I think his safety skills are excellent.”
    “Well great so tell me how do you like it here at Royal?”
    “I think it’s great, the people here are fantastic.  Now as far as the hours are concerned now that’s a different story, they have been long and hard since I’m trying to finish up my last two units to graduate from high school.  But I don’t have but just a few weeks left and I’ll be ready to graduate.”
    “So what are your school hours now?”
    “From 8:00 until 12:30 in the morning.”
    “Okay, I was just reading over your application and you put Mike Womack as being kin to you.  How is he kin to you?”
    “He’s my stepfather.”
    “I see if something were to happen to him while he’s out on the road would you be the one they’d depend on?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Would your job be in jeopardy if something happened.  Are you still living at home?  And would Mike depend totally on you?”
    “No, my job would not be in jeopardy and I live by myself, I have for over a year and no Mike would not depend totally on me.  He has my mom for that and my job would be first and foremost.”
    “So do you have any dependents?”
    “No, I live by myself.” 
    “Okay, I’ll be right back.”  
Setting there I was hoping with all the personal and business questions that it meant I had the job.  After a few minutes Koffman finally came back with a fold in his hand that had my name on it.  
    “Okay, Tina about the job?”
    “Yes sir?”
    “You past all your test and -----.”  Looking through my file he was making me absolutely crazy, making me wonder whether or not I had the job.
    “Is there any problem with working from 1:30 to 9:30 starting today of course.  I was considering letting you wait until Monday but the girls are already so far behind that it would do you good to go ahead and start today.  Is that okay with you?”
    “Yes sir that’s fine with me, there’s one thing though.”
    “What?”
    “I didn't take time to stop and eat after I left my class and I was just wondering if I could run down to the break room and get me a snack to hold me over until I get off tonight.”
    “Sure go ahead, but better yet why don’t you go and get you something hot, it’s what 2:30 now, so be back here by 3:30 and that will give me time to get something put together for you to work on.”
    “Okay, I’ll be back at 3:30.  Can I ask one more question?”
    “Sure?”
    “Will my pay be any different from my factory pay?”
    “Yes the job pays $6.00 an hour, and that will be effective today.  Now go and get some lunch when you get back clock in and report to me.”
    “Yes sir and thank you.”  All up in the air about my new position I quickly left to get me a bite to eat.  Reaching the main highway, the traffic was definitely worse than what it had been earlier.  Pulling up into the parking lot of Cindy’s I immediately got a funny feeling over me.  Getting out I noticed out of the corner of my eye that the same blue suburban pulled up and a man got out.  Oh my god mama let me shut my mouth, whoever he was I wouldn't mind meeting him cause emmmm he sure was fine.  With both of us reaching the door at the same time he pulled the door open for me and motioned for me to go in first.
    “Thank you.”
    “Your welcome Tina, how are you this evening?”
    “Uh, I’m fine how are you, I’m sorry I’m afraid I don’t know you.”
    “I work around the factory at Royal.”
    “Ohhh, okay I’m sorry I just haven’t saw you around up there.”
    “No, I’m in and out all the time.”
    “Well, it was nice to meet you and I hope to see you around the plant and office sometime.”  My god oh yes did I hope.
    “I’m sure we’ll be seeing much more of each other.”  Going back to the office I waited for Koffman to come out of his meeting that he was having.  Samantha the other woman working in the office was very nice, and I’d hoped that we’d become good friends.  She came over and explained to me that Koffman just said for me to relax until he got out of this meeting that it was one that could not wait.  

    Setting their reading a magazine Koffman buzzed Samantha and told her to tell me that I could go into his office now.  As I walked into his office someone walked out the other door.  Never knowing who in the world it was that was in with him or what the meeting was about.  The whole afternoon was a total new experience for me, going from the factory to the office was great.  Learning something new was great, they first started me out first by just answering the phone in Samantha’s office and also keying a few things into the computer just to familiarize myself with the system.  Mr. Koffman came into Samantha’s office and told me that they were finished setting my office up and showed me where it was at.  It was going to be directly across from Mr. Koffman’s office.  As everyone started to leave for the evening they came in and told me good night along with leaving me some work to do for them.   Driving up in the driveway I was sort of tired but it was a good tired.  I wondered who the guy was that opened the door for me at Cindy’s.  Oh my he was oh so fine, but I had no time in my life for a man right now one would only complicate things.  I was going from start to finish, starting a new career right and finishing up my high school days.  Arriving at school Monday I looked around for Edmund, no where to be found I assumed he decided to take the day off since we had finished our government projects the week before.  Arriving at work I went directly to my office and started to work on the letters that I didn't get finished with on Friday.  Time went by quickly and before I knew it everyone was telling me good night and leaving me work to do.
    “Well Tina how do you think your going to like it?”
    “Oh I love it, I’m just getting used to everything, once I do that it will be great.”
    “Well I’m glad to see you like it, some days are like today and some are better and some are worse.  It’s just like any other job, you have to take the good with the bad, anyway I’m going home and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    “Okay Mr. Koffman be careful and have a good evening."
    “Thank you and you do the same, oh yes by the way did Samantha show you how to lock up?”
    “Yes sir she showed me Friday and I’ll make sure everything is safe and secure.”
    “Okay good night.”     Getting home I flopped down on the couch, I sat there looking through my mail.  I had a few bills and a letter from someone, picking the letter up I did not have any idea who it was from so I opened it up and begin to read it.

Dear Tina,
    By now you probably know whom this if from, I just wanted to write and see how you've been the past year.  As for me I’m doing just fine I’m now in Mississippi I've got a good job working with a construction crew who is originally from Florida.   I've been with them for about six months now, we were through Georgia a few weeks ago and I thought about calling you but it was after 9:00 and I was afraid you were either already gone to bed or you were out on a date.  If there is anyone else, is there?  Not that it really matters, I was just a little curious.  As for me seeing anyone, well I’ve dated several people but none too serious.  How are things with the trailer?  Tina there’s not much news here, are you still at Cindy’s are have you found another job?  If so where at? I know that things have changed between us since I’ve been gone but I figured we might get together maybe next time my crew comes through there and have some coffee.  It will probably be three or four weeks before we come through there again.  Well I guess I’ll close for now so I can get in the bed soon, the address I’m enclosing is the one where I can be reached at right now so you can answer right away and I’ll get the letter.  Hope to hear from you soon.  Andrew Clark

    Setting there in a daze I really didn't know what to do or think.  Jumping when the phone startled me I got up and laid the letter on the table and went to answer the phone.  
    “Hello.”
    “Can I speak to Andrew?”
    “I’m sorry you have the wrong number.”
    “No this is the number that he gave me.”
    “Well Andrew hasn't lived here in over a year and I haven’t heard from him since he moved out and I don’t know how you can reach him.”
    “I’m sorry I bothered you and thank you.”
    “Sure.”  Now that was very strange I thought to myself, first a letter from Andrew and now a phone call with someone looking for him.  Tossing the letter over to the kitchen table, I really didn't care right now, didn't  care about Andrew.   I did not care about his happy go lucky self, and was not going to report to him on how things were going with the trailer.  If he wanted to know how things were going with the trailer, he should not have left me high and dry the way he did.  Left me with a ton of bills to pay and almost loosing my mind trying to figure out just how in the hell I was going to pay them.  Yeah right, I’ll answer his letter, when hell freezes over.    The only thing I was worried about was getting ready for bed and I would get up in the morning and answer his letter if the mood struck me in the morning I’d just have to see how I felt.    
    Setting up on the side of the bed I reached over and slapped the alarm clock off one more time before it had a chance to go off for the second time.  Going to the kitchen I smelt the aroma of the coffee pot calling my name and it helped me to begin to focus on my long day ahead of me.  Focused all right until the letter that I had laid on the table reached up and slapped me back to reality.  Fixing me a cup of coffee I got a few sheets of paper and a pen and started a letter back to Andrew.
    

Dear Andrew,
I received your letter a few days ago and just have had a chance to sit down to answer it.  I was really surprised to hear from you, I’m glad your doing so well with your career.  I myself have started a new career just a few days ago.  I’m a secretary for a major firm in Villa Rica.  I’m also taking my last two units that I need to graduate from high school.  Well you ask if there is anyone else well I’m about the same way you are, I've dated several people but three is nothing serious going on with me right now.  You know Andrew for once you’re right, things between us have changed a great deal.  You are welcome to come here and have coffee but you need to call first because I might not be here or I have company.  Things are fine with the trailer I thinking of starting to remodel soon but that’s not a final decision.  Well news is short so I’ll close for now, take care and write soon.  Tina Smith  I sat there and reread the letter to make sure I didn't leave anything out, then decided everything was in order and went to get an envelop.  As I was headed toward the back of the house there was a big bang on the front door.  Going to the door I opened it, Edmund just stood there like he was mad at the world.  

    “Well are you gonna let me in or do I have to stand out here all day.”  Stepping aside I let him in, not even stopping he went straight to the coffeepot.
    “Oh good it’s ready.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “The coffee.”
    “Oh okay.”
    “Who is that from?”  Looking at Edmund I did not say anything I just took the letter and put it on top of the freezer.
    “Where were you on Friday?”
    “I had to go to the VA Hospital with my father, he had to have some test done. Who is that from?”  Edmund asked pointing to the letter on the freezer.
    “Nothing serious I hope.”  
    “We won’t know for a week or so, you didn't answer my question.”
    “Are you ready for that government test?”
    “Oh Lord I forgot all about that test worried about dad and everything, you think she’d let me wait until tomorrow to take it?”
    “I don’t see why not, but it wouldn't hurt to ask.”  Starting out the door I never did answer Edmund’s question, I knew if he saw that it was from Andrew that I’d never hear the end of it.  Getting home I messed around just a few minutes then left and went to work, going into my office with an open mind I got the surprise of my life.  There was a single rose setting on my desk, looking for a name on it I did not find one, walking out to where Samantha was I smiled and waited for her to get off the phone.
    “Samantha do you have any idea?”
    “No, a delivery boy just brought it and said it was for you.  I was nosey and tried to find a name or something but I couldn't find one.  You don’t know who it was from?”
    “Not a clue, honey who in the world would be sending me a single rose and without a name?”
    “I don’t know but it would drive me absolutely crazy if I got a single rose and my husband didn't send it.” 
    “Yeah, I bet it would, especially if your husband found out.”
    “Oh boy let’s not even go there.”
    “I heard that girl I've got to get to work.”  Jumping up I took my single rose and went back to my office and got busy as much as I could.  Between answering the phone and wondering in the back of my head who in the world would be sending me a single rose.

Each day that I worked in the office I learned something new and everyone in the office begin to depend on me to do certain things by a certain time.  On March 3rd  Mr. Koffman called me into his office for a meeting.
    “Yes sir?”
    “Tina you've been here in the office for almost 4 months now and I want to tell you that I am very pleased with your work.  But with you running around helping everyone else the keyboarding is getting behind.   So from here on out I am going to inform everyone that your main job is keyboarding.  That is going to be your main assignment, if you get caught up with that, then you can help file or whatever else needs to be done.  You seem to be pretty fast with that and that being as it is you can keep it up on a daily basis.  Instead of it lying up for days or weeks at the time it can be keyed in as it comes in.” 
    “Okay, that sounds good to me.”
    “Okay, Samantha has a folder that you can get started, and I know that you’ll have the ear phones on when you doing the keyboarding from the tape player.  So while you’re doing that I don’t expect you to be answering the phone.  But otherwise, you’ll need to help Samantha answer the phone.  We’ll have a meeting about this on Wednesday afternoon at 3:00, write it on your calendar, I want you in there.”
    “Yes sir, will there be anything else?”
    “Just one more thing.  How much longer do you have left in school?”
    “We take our final exams in about 3 weeks, I think the exam date is March 24th then hopefully I’ll graduate.”
    “Well just keep me posted.”
    “Okay.”

    Waking up on the day of final exams I had stayed up cramming the night before so I was pretty confident that I was going to at least pass them.  I quietly left Mr. Chandler’s room, with her telling me she would call with the results later on that afternoon.  I wasn't so sure about that test, but I was pretty confident about my Literature test I took a sneak peak in to Mrs. Yates room to see if she was in there.  Sitting at her desk, and kind of cleared my throat. 
    “Yes Mrs. Smith.  Can I help you?”
    “Well I was just wondering if you have graded my exam yet?”
    “Your folder is laying over on my desk, feel free to glance if you must.”    Oh my gosh this was killing me so of course I had to look.  Going over I gently opened the folder, and BAMMMMM I aced it.  I made an A- on that sucker.  
    “Yeah baby….I can’t believe I aced this thing.  You gave us a hard test and I aced it.” Mrs. Yates came over and smiled and held her hand out for the folder, “Yes, Tina you aced it.  I had no doubt what so ever that you wouldn't ace it.  Congratulations, how did you do on Literature?”
    “I don’t know yet.  Mrs. Chandler said she would call me later on this afternoon.  Thanks you Mrs. Yates I can’t begin to thank you enough for all your help.”    
    “You are very welcome and good luck.  By the way what are you planning on doing after graduation?”
    “I just got hired on in the office at Royal Furniture in Villa Rica.”    
    “That’s great.”
    “Yeah, I am excited about it and I really enjoy the work.  Listen speaking of work I've got to run.  Thanks again for everything.”   Leaving her room this would be the last time walking the halls of Temple High School.    Mrs. Yates told me I passed Literature but Mrs. Chandler made me wait until later that day.  Really pouring myself into my work, time went by fast, it was already 4:30 and I had not heard a word from Mrs. Chandler.  Deciding to take a break I went to get me a drink from the break room, starting to leave the office the phone rang.  Then Samantha motioned for me to answer line three.  
    “Hello.”
    “Tina, this is Mrs. Chandler I just finish grading the test.”
    “Yes?”
    “You passed with an 82 average you can get ready to graduate.  We’ll have it in the cafeteria Friday, March 24th at 7:00.”
    “Okay thanks and I’ll see you then and I don’t have to come back until then right?”
    “Yes that’s correct and congratulations.”
    “Thank you.”  Hanging up I stood there a minute and was thanking the Lord in silence when Samantha came over to me.
    “Well?”    
    “I did it, I passed and I graduate Friday night, I can’t believe I finally finished after all this time.”
    “Well that’s great, congratulations.”
    “Thanks, I've got to get something to drink and get back to work.”  Going out of the office I saw Samantha go into Mr. Koffman’s office, when I returned with my soda Mr. Koffman motioned for me to come in his office.
    “Samantha told me that you passed your test and you’re going to graduate Friday night.”
    “Yes sir that’s right.”
    “Tell you what I’m gonna do, on Saturday night I’m going to give a little party at my house.  There has been someone driving me crazy wanting to meet you, just so happens he’ll be in town this weekend and I’ll introduce you’ll.”  Not saying a word, I was astonished.
    “Tina did you hear me?”
    “Yes sir I heard you but you just took me by surprise you’ve done enough with letting me work like you have while I finished up my diploma.”
    “Did you not hear a word I said?”
    “What?”
    “I am giving this party because I want too and my staff at home is already working on it and I want you to come prepared to meet someone.  That is if you’re available.”
    “Available?  Meet someone?  Who?”
    “Yes, Tina are you available to meet someone or are you involved with someone?”
    “Mr. Koffman I don’t know what to say.”
    “Just say whether or not if you are available.”
    “Well yeah I guess I am.”
    “Okay then enough said you be at my house Saturday night at 6:00.”
    “Someone is going to be at your house Saturday night to meet me?”
    “Yeah, he’s been driving me crazy so until Saturday night at 6:00 and be prepared to meet someone.”
    “Meet someone?  Who?”
    “Now never mind just come prepared to meet someone Saturday night at 6:00, my house.”
    “Well who is it?”
    “Are you or are you not available to meet someone?”
    “Yes, I told you I was.”
    “All right then it’s all set Saturday night my house 6:00, no question ask, is that clear?”
    “All right already I’ll be there but there is one more thing, graduation starts at 7:00 on Friday night and I was just wondering if I could get off early and go home and get ready.”
    “Sure take off at 5:00 when everyone else does and we’ll all lock up together.”
    “Okay, thanks I have got to get back to work, but one more thing before I go.”
    “What?”
    “Now tell me about this person that has been ----.”  Koffman just started to laugh, got up and came over to where I was.
    “I told you earlier not another word, now let’s get back to work.”
Gently putting his hands on my shoulders he turned me around headed me out the office door and to my desk.  Who in the world would want to meet me, and I was just wondering if it had anything to do with the rose that I had received just a few months ago.  
    Getting in the front door that night the phone started to ring before I could sit my stuff down.  
    “Hello.”
    “Hey what are you doing?”
    “I just have walked in the house from work and was just fixing to sit down a minute before I started my bath water.  What are you doing?”
    “Oh nothing Mike and I were just wondering if you’d gotten your grades yet?”
    “Yes mama, I got them this afternoon.”
    “Well?”
    “I passed, I am officially out of high school and into the real world.  Graduation is Friday night at 7:00 in the cafeteria, you’ll are coming?  Aren't ya'll?"
    “Why honey we would not  miss it for anything in the world, we were thinking that maybe we could go out to eat afterwards if you don’t have anything else planned.”
    “No, I don’t have anything planned, but I do have a favor to ask of you.”
    “What?”
    “Well, Mr.  Koffman is having a party at his house Saturday night and I was invited and he informed me that some has someone that wants to meet me.   And well I know you don’t like to shop but I was wondering if you would go with me to pick out an outfit.”
    “Yeah, I’ll go with you but who is this person?”
    “I don’t know, it’s a blind date.  But let me tell you there have some strange things happening to me since I got this job though.”
    “What do you mean strange?”
    “Well the day I got the job in the office, a man with a blue Suburban was outside my house when I got home from school even before I had the interview.  Well then after I found out I had the job I went to get me some lunch and he followed me to Cindy’s and came inside. Then when I ask him if I could help him, he turned and practically ran out of the place got in his car and spun off.”
    “Well that doesn't sound very good. You did not tell me how Koffman knew you were available.”
    “Oh that’s not all.  And I think that’s where Mike comes in.”
    “What else happen? And why do you think Mike had anything to do with all this?”
    “Well one day I was in Koffmans' office taking a letter by short and while I was in there.  Samantha said a deliveryman brought a single rose and left it on my desk.  Well the reason I think Mike knows something about all this and who this person is, how about asking him.”
    “Hold on.”   I could hear mom talking to Mike in the background and he was saying something but I couldn't  quiet make out what he was saying.
    “Tina, Mike says he doesn't know anything about it but by the way he looked when he said it I just don’t know if he does or not.”
    “So you think he knows something.”
    “Yeah, I think he does and just don’t want to let me know that he does.”
    “I’ll get him Friday night, you wait and see I’ll corner him and see what I can find out.”
    “Okay but I don’t think he’s gonna budge on this one if he knows anything at all it must have been between him and Koffman.”
    “That’s what it sounds like to me.”
    “Well honey I’m gonna let you go for now I’ll see you at the school tomorrow night and I love you.”
    “Love you too mom and tell Mike to behave.”
    “Okay I will and I’ll see you later.”  Hanging up with mom I went to start me some bath water to get settled down for the night, I had a feeling tomorrow was going to be a long day with me having to go in early in order to get off early. Going out to eat right after graduation my whole family for some reason knew about my blind date that I the next night, mom must have told everyone.  They continued to drill me on who it was and what he looked like, I couldn't tell them a thing but Mike seem to be over in the corner and was keeping his mouth shut until I made it a notion to say something to him.
    “Ask Mike, he and Mr. Koffman are pretty close he probably knows exactly who it is.”
    “Oh come on Tina why do you think that?”
    “Cause mom said you looked guilty when she ask you about it last night and right now you look like the cat that swallowed the canary.”
    “Okay, Okay you found me out, yes I know about your date but I promised Koffman that I wouldn't say a word and I’m not.”
    “Oh come on Mike please just tell me what his name is.”
    “Nope not another word.”  Mike got up and left the table leaving me high and dry.  Not a word did he say about this guy, he knew exactly who he was and would not tell me a thing.  Evidently he approved of this guy or he wouldn't  have agreed to keep it quiet he would have given me some sort of warning.   Getting home that night about midnight after staying at moms and having coffee and playing cards with my family I could not help but wonder what this guy was like.  If Mike knew him through the company he must have been pretty popular.  I was so wired up from all the caffeine that I decided to clean house, turning my radio on as loud as I could stand it.  That’s the only way I could ever clean house and get anything done.  I worked all the anxiety out by mopping my trailer from one end to the other.  Washing all my clothes that I hadn't  washed in a week from my busy schedule and just busting my rump trying to get keyed down so I could sleep until dinner the next day. Arriving at Koffmans'  house I was already scared but to top it all of I had a flat tire and had to get Mike to come and take it to get it fixed.  So that made me about thirty minutes late, when I got there Samantha met me at the car.
    “Where have you been?”
    “My car got a flat on it about half way here, is he here yet?”
    “I don’t know there are so many people here that if he is, I don’t know which one he is.”
    “What am I suppose to do?”
    “Come over here and stand with us and we’ll talk until Koffman finds you.”
    “Sounds good to me.”  Trying to fit in with the other women as they chatted about their children I just shook my head and grinned a lot.  I was really dying here I wished if he was going to do this that he would come on and get this over with.
    “Tina can you come over here a minute?”    Thank you Lord for answering small prayers, now to get through this other giant step.
    “Yes sir be right there.” 
    “Okay here I go, wish me luck.”   They gave me a push towards him and told me to go on, so taking a deep breath I walked over toward him.
     “Yes sir?”
     “I just want to take this time again to tell you how much I've enjoyed having you in our office.  The gentleman that has been driving me crazy since the first day you have worked in the office, he’s one of our finest salesmen, he travels a lot from state to state.”  Taking a deep breath I thought I had prepared myself for what was about to happen.  I had already made it perfectly clear to myself and several other men that I didn't want to start a relationship right now.  But this guy had been bothering Koffman for God knows how long to introduce us.   Koffman took my arm and led me towards a tall dark hair guy.  I could not yet see his face but imagination let itself be its guide.  Finally getting to where this guy was standing Koffman tapped him on the shoulder.  Standing straight up this guy was definitely taller than me, whoa mama—let me shut my mouth and meet this guy.   How did they rip this man from the Sears catalog and bring him to life.  It was positively against the law of the men that I had ever dated to look this good, and especially to want to have something to do with me. 
    “Tina, I want you to meet Steve, Steve Hunter.  Steve this is Tina Smith, the girl which you have insisted on meeting.” 
    “Hi, nice to meet you Mr. Hunter.”  I reached out to shake his hand.
    “Steve, please call me Steve, and may I call you Tina.”
    “Sure.”
    “Okay then Tina how about a drink?”
    “Sure, I’d love one.”
    “If you’d excuse us, Mr. Koffman?”
    “Not at all Steve, you’ll enjoy yourselves.”  Steve and I went over to the bar to get us a drink.  
    “What would you like?”
    “Uh, I’ll take a screwdriver.”  
    “Make that two.”  Steve looked over at me and smiled warmly.  My god how did I get this lucky to meet such a sexy man?  I could get lost in those beautiful eyes.
    “While we’re waiting on our drinks would you like to dance.”
    “Yes, I’d love too.”     Steve and I went to the dance floor, dancing close because the song was slow.  Once the dance was over we stood there and talked with neither one of us realizing that we were still on the floor.    The music began up again with a fast dance.  The band playing several songs straight in a row and we danced them all until Steve took my hand and got me off the dance floor.   We went over to get our drinks from the bar, “where did all that rhythm come from?”
    “Oh I don’t know I guess from my mom.”  Standing there I was about to die, it was so hot in there.  Reaching over I grabbed up a napkin and started to fan myself.  
    “Would you like to go outside and get cooled off, you look like you’re about to pass out.”
    “Yeah, sounds good to me.”    We picked up our drinks and went outside, standing there a couple of minutes the sky was beautiful so I leaned back on the banister and looked up at the sky.   
    “Cooled off any?”
    “Yeah, a little.”  I was speechless I couldn't believe that this sort of man was interested in me.  
     “So Steve tell me a little about yourself.”  Looking up at Steve I saw those beautiful blue eyes and dark brown hair, he looked just like one of those models out of the Sears catalog.
     “How can I tell you about myself when I've got my eyes glued on you and have since the first time I laid eyes on you, when you started to work in the office.”
      “Oh please Steve you don’t know what you’re saying.”
      “No, Tina I do know what I’m saying.”  Steve bent over and kissed me lightly on the lips, then placed his hands on the back of my neck and pulled me closer and begin to kiss me more passionately.    When from behind we heard someone clear his throat.
     “Excuse me I didn't know anyone was out here.”  It was Mr. Koffman; neither of us said a word.  Mr. Koffman just grinned a little then turned and went back inside.  
     “I think we need to go inside before people begin to talk.”
     “I think you’re right.”  Steve looked at me with those beautiful blue eyes and turned to open the door and let me go in first.  I must have been dreaming I thought I was with a very handsome man and he’d had his eyes on me for a while.  Then I remembered the flower that I received about a month ago.  Could it of been Steve, if it was my imagination wasn't that good.  If it was not Steve then I was glad because Steve looked a lot better than my imaginary man did.   Steve told me he’d be right back and left me standing there, quietly moving my way over to the bar to get me a drink.  I was standing there minding my on business, sipping on my drink when Mr. Koffman came up from behind. 
     “Tina would you like to dance?  I've danced with all the other girls in the office except you.  And you’re supposed to be the guest of honor.”
     “Yes sir I’d love to dance.”  I sat my drink down and followed Mr. Koffman to the floor; of course, it was a slow song so we had to dance close.      

     “Tina I want to take this time to tell you that I've really enjoyed having you in the office, and I hope you have enjoyed yourself here tonight.”
     “I really appreciate you giving me a chance in the office and for the party tonight.  Oh and by the way about what you saw out on the porch, that was just a friendly kiss.”
     “You don’t have to explain, Steve has aggravated the stew out of me every since the first time he saw you to introduce you’ll.  I've just always figured that you were dating someone and really wasn't free,  I mean with a pretty girl like yourself.”  
     “Please Mr. Koffman I appreciate the flattering but I’m not as pretty as some of the other girls in the office, so why did Steve just so happen to pick me?”
     “I don’t know the answer to that one you’ll have to get that answer out of him.  Listen I am glad we had this talk and if you ever need anything in the office or even personal.  All you have to do is buzz the buzzer, I've enjoyed this dance, also.”  
     “Yeah, me too Mr. Koffman and thanks for everything I mean the party and everything.”
     “Your welcome.”  Walking off the dance floor I went over to the bar to pick up my drink that I had left there when Koffman ask me to dance when I was approached from behind and someone put their hands over my eyes.  
     “This is going to be an adult napping, I’m gonna take you away from this place so we can be alone.”  Smiling I turned around.
     “Enjoy your dance with Koffman.”
     “Yeah, but not as much as I enjoyed that invitation, that was an invitation wasn't it?”
     “It sure was.”  Steve said in a very serious voice then bent over and kissed me lightly on the lips.
     “Let’s go tell Koffman and everyone goodnight.”  Finding Koffman we started to tell him that we were leaving and he insisted that we wait just a minute for the picture lady to come and take a picture of us together.  For the scrap book at work of course is what his excuse was.  So we had several pictures made with different people then we had one of Steve and I by ourselves.  
     “Do you want a picture to take with you now?”
     “Uh yeah I guess.  But I didn't bring any money with me.”
     “That’s okay it’s already paid for.”
     “Oh okay then that would be great.”  Steve smiled and said, “Make that two.”
     “Okay, stand over there.”    So we had our picture took about 5 times because everyone kept saying they wanted a picture of our first date.  Going and finding Mr. Koffman I gave him a hug and told him how much I appreciated the party again and that I would see him on Monday.
    “You are so very welcome, I so glad that you enjoyed yourself.  Are you okay to drive home?  Or do we need to get someone to drive you?”
    “No I am fine, I’m just really tired.  I had a big night last night with my family after graduation.  So I’m going to call it an early night.”    
    “Okay well you drive safe.  Oh by the way how did you like Steve?” 
    “Emmm, we’ll talk about that later.”  Koffman smiled and laughed and winked at me.
    "Okay, did you tell Steve goodnight.”
    “Yeah, I’ll make sure I tell him goodnight.   See you Monday.”  Quickly exiting after that I hoped I left the impression that Steve and I were not leaving together.  That I was leaving simply because I was exhausted and the drinks that I had were totally relaxing me.  Heading out to the car I saw Steve standing beside another car and gradually came over to where I was at.  
    “It’s so hard to get away from that man.”
    “I know that’s why I started 20 minutes ago telling him goodbye, cause I knew he would be full of questions.”    
    “Oh yeah you knew and hung me out to dry…thanks a lot.”  
    “Listen Tina, I know everything is going fast but I want you to be comfortable coming to my house.  I don’t want you to feel pressured.”
    “If I felt uncomfortable at all, believe me I would not be going.”
    “Okay then let’s go.”

The moon was shining bright as we drove up the express way toward Steve’s house.  I just could not believe the evening that I was having with a man like Steve being interested in me.  The first person I thought about telling was Gail; she was my best friend.  She and I have been best friends since the ninth grade she would absolutely die.    In my own little world before I knew it we were high upon a mountain, you could see the city lights of Lithia Springs for miles around.  Steve turned his blinker on and we pulled up into a driveway that had a beautiful two-story house in front of us.

    “Here we are, it’s not much but I call it home.”  Oh my god, not much, yeah right.  The outside of this house looked like a mansion, I could just imagine what the inside looked like.  Going in there was a foyer with a coat closet, then another entrance hall.  
    “Would you like a drink?”  
    “Just a little one please, I have to drive back home here in a few minutes.”    The further I walked inside the more amazed I become, the ceilings were higher than some of the trees in my yard.
    “Do you mind if I look around?  This place is exquisite and so clean you could eat off the floor.  I thought I kept my house clean but this is unbelievable, how do you do it?”
    “Ohhh, I have a lot of help while I’m out of town.”
     “Do you mind?”  Pointing upstairs.
     “No go ahead make yourself at home.”   Each step I took I was careful not to grab the handrail too much.  It was so glossy I could see my face it.  It sort of reminded me of the way mom used to keep her house when I was growing up and she did an even better job now since she did not have any kids at home.   Oh these rooms were to die for, you could fit my entire house into one room, and mom would have died had she seen this bathroom.  A sunken bathtub, double sink and a beautiful chandler hanging just above the tub all dark blue trimmed in light blue, just up her ally. Walking back downstairs, I found Steve finishing our drinks.  Coming over he handed me my drink and kissed me lightly on the cheek.       “Steve this house is beautiful.”
    “Well thank you, its home to me, if you’ll excuse me for just a minute.”
    “Sure.”  Standing there sipping my drink, I allowed my eyes to explore instead of seeming nosey.  Seeing a set of double glass doors, my nose just could not resist, walking over I opened the door and walked out on the balcony.  Finding what I thought was the most beautiful view I had ever seen the city lights were twinkling for miles around.  It was as if someone had taken a snapshot and handed it to me, oh I could stand here and look for hours.  It seemed so peaceful, as far as the eye could see, and as far as I was concerned, there was not another person in the world.  It was just me and this balcony and the sky lit up with God’s wonderful stars and the big beautiful moon.  
    “I see you found the view.”
    “Yes, it is beautiful, I hope you don’t mind.”
    “No, not at all.”  Steve and I stood there it was just he and I looking down at the beautiful lights and wonderful sky that the almighty God made, a shooting star flew across the sky.
    “Look!  There’s a shooting star, why don’t you make a wish?”
    “I've got my wish right here in front of me, I made my wish about four months ago that Koffman would introduce us.  And my wish came true tonight and I don’t regret it at all.”  Steve took my drink from my hand reached over, took me in a warm embrace, and started to run his long warm fingers through my hair.  Oh my god I was like melting butter to him, but there was something I had to know before this little scene went any further.
    “Steve wait.”  Pulling away from him, I walked around just a minute.
    “What’s the matter?”
    “Steve I need to ask you something and I need to know a few things.”
    “Okay, but why so serious?”
    “Because this is serious to me.”
    “Okay, what is it?”
    “Steve with all those girls working in the office why was it me that you chose to go out with.  I mean I’m not fussing by no means but I need to know for my personal benefit.”  I had to watch myself I was about to spill the beans on how my heart and hormones had been playing tricks on me all evening.  Steve put his drink down then hushed me by placing his warm lips upon mine, he was gentle but he held me tight.  The longer we kissed the heavier our breathing became and the more passionate and loving our kiss became.  I was thankful when the telephone startled us because I knew he had not answered my question yet.  Steve looked down at me while the telephone continued to ring, of course trying to ignore it.
    “I think you better get it, it may be important.”
    “Yeah I guess your right.”  Steve went inside to answer the telephone and I went to freshen up my drink.  I sat down on the couch and waited for him, I could here bits and pieces of the conversation.  Laying my head back, I did not realize how tired I was until I sat down and sank into Steve’s couch.
    “Sorry for the interruption, it was a customer wanting to know something about a delivery.”
    “That’s okay, seems like you can’t leave your work at the office any more.  Steve you never did answer my question that I ask you earlier.  I am curious as to what made you want to ask me out when you had all those other girls to choose from.”
     “Tina, number one I already knew you because of being at the plant and the day that I saw you at Cindy’s I wanted to introduce myself to you then but I was to chicken.  I wanted to meet you because I think you’re an attractive person.  Number two, I have watched you work your attitude toward Koffman and Summers where you can be serious and joke with them at the same time, the other girls can’t do that.  They take their work way too serious, but not you, oh you do when you are alone.  I've watched the way you zip through those letters.”
    “You have watched me work?  When have you ever been in the office? And you saw me at Cindy’s?”
    “Yes I followed you to Cindy’s one day and wanted to introduce myself but I chickened out. I have been in and out of the office lots of times when you didn't  know I was anywhere around.  I love the way you go directly back to what you were doing when someone comes in and interrupts what you are doing.  You look so beautiful setting behind that computer and trying to meet that dead line that Koffman had made for you.  I wanted to come over and put my arms around you and say Tina don’t worry you’ll make that deadline, you always do.  Koffman has caught me several times watching you and he has told me to introduce myself but I couldn’t do it.  That is the reason Koffman gave this party tonight, I have never been good at that.  I can sell the hell of some furniture but when it comes to selling myself to a lady then I hit bottom every time.”    
    “You've  just sold me.”
    “No, Tina I mean it I've told Koffman I don’t know how many times, I guess every time I’d come into town.  I would stand back and watch you and every time I would tell Koffman to introduce you to me.  Then I’d say to him I have to have this girl in my life.  Tina, I want to be with you as much as my job will allow me too.  And as much as you will allow me, if you will that is, will you allow me to get to know you better?  Please I know I am not in the office that much but while I am their will, you please let me be with you. You seem like such a pleasant person to be around when you are at the office and if you are like that at work, I am sure you are like that when you are not at work.  I’d like to find out, Koffman has told me several times how much of a private person you are, that you eat lunch a lot of times by yourself.  You work well but you are a loner, will you allow me to get more involved with your loneliness, please I would love to know you better.  Oh listen to me I just keep babbling on and on how I feel and have not even considered how you feel.  Are you okay with this?  Do you want to let me into your loneliness?  Can I invade some of your private space?”  Steve leaned down, kissed me lightly on the cheek, and looked at me with those now glassy eyes but still so beautiful and dark blue.  He could have knocked me over with a feather, my ears, heart and hormones were listening but my mind was telling me whoa girl you had better be careful because right now my heart just could not afford another break.  Getting up I kinda paced the floor a minute; I was so confused I did not know what to say.  Yes in fact Steve was a very hot and good looking man and yes in fact he was a verrrry smooth talker, and let’s not forget to mention the fact that my hormones went wild every time the man got near me.  We had not known each other but just a few minutes and things were already moving way too fast for me.  
    “Tina did I say something wrong?”  Still not saying anything I went over took Steve’s hand and sat down beside him.
    “Look Steve I’m sorry I just don’t know what to say.  No one has ever approached me the way you have.  And you know Koffman is right and considering I haven’t worked for the man that long, he knows me pretty good.  I am a loner, things for me haven’t always been easy.”
     “Then just say yes.”
    “Oh, I wish it was that easy.”
    “It is.”
    “No, no it’s not.”
    “But why?”  Now how in the world could I tell Steve that I wasn't going to bite off more than I could chew right now because I was scared?
    “Steve a lot of things has happen in my life that’s just hard to explain, and right now it would be unfair to you for me to say yes that I would like to get to know you better when I’m so.”
    “You’re so what Tina, go ahead and finish.”
    “No, no I think it’s time for me to go home.” 
    “Oh no, please don’t leave me hanging like this, Tina I don’t know what has happen in your past but if your concerned about me then don’t.”
    “Ohooooo no, Steve it’s not you I’m concerned with it’s just that.”
    “It’s just what?  Come on Tina please talk to me that’s what we came here for.”
    “Okay Steve you want to know why I can’t get involved with you right now.”
    “Yes I would like to know why.”  My heart was telling me to be careful and to watch what I told this guy but my eyes, mind and hormones was telling me to spill the beans.
    “I just can’t Steve I’m so sorry if I lead you on or anything.  I just don’t see another relationship happening in my life right now.”
    “But why?”    
    “Steve please don’t do this, I would really like to get to know you better but,”
    “There you said, you just admitted that you wanted to get to know me better --- and some how that but keeps getting in the way.”  We were still sitting on the couch with Steve holding my hand so I wouldn't get up and leave.
    “Listen Steve there’s a lot of things that have happened in my life that keep me from wanting to get close to you.”
    “What do I stink?”
    “EMMMMMMM”, I laughed at Steve then somewhat escaped his hold got up and started to walk around again.  How could I explain to this man and in the mean time convince my hormones that this just was not a good time for me to get involved with him because the plain fact of the matter was I was scared to death of men.  Not just Steve but any man that wants me to get involved with him at this time in my life.  Starting a new job, finishing up school and the last thing I needed in my life right now was a man in it to complicate my thoughts and hormones.
    “So what now I stink?”
    “No, Steve you don’t stink, as a matter of fact you smell.”
    “I smell what?”
    “You smell good okay, there I said something does it make you happy.”
    “Yes, but I will be even more happy if you’ll tell me why you are so head bound not to get involved with me right now.”
    “I would just rather not talk about it right now, look it’s getting late so I really do need to go.”
    “You don’t have to work tomorrow, please just answer my question.”
    “What question?”
    “What question!  The one you've been avoiding for the past thirty minutes, will you or will you not allow us to get to know each other better.”  Taking a deep breath it was such a hard decision to make, I was so scared once since but in another since I was wanting to because I couldn't continue to live like there wasn't a tomorrow.    And being that he was such a hunk of a man with those big beautiful blue eyes that was irresistible.  Going over to Steve I looked down at him because he was still sitting on the couch, pointing my finger at him, I chickened out all over again, turned, and started to pace the floor.    Steve just sat there waiting patiently for my decision, one that I not sure on how to answer.  So finally deciding I walked over to where Steve was at pointed down at him.
       “Okay Steve but on one condition.”  Steve reached up and took my finger in his hand.
       “What?”
       “That we take it slow, you need to realize that this is a big decision for me and you’re going to have to be patient with me.  Do we understand each other?”
        “I understand completely, and I promise it’s a decision you won’t regret.”
        “I hope not Steve, I hope not oh yes and one more thing.”    
        “What’s that?”
        “From now on don’t dally around watching me from behind the scenes, if you want to see me come into my office.  I’m flattered that you enjoy watching me work but please let me know you’re there.”
        “Okay, anything else?”
        ‘Yes there is one more thing.”
        “What?”
        “Faith.”
        “Faith?  What do you mean?”
        “I mean that I truly believe in the almighty God and if it’s his will for us to be together then he’ll open the doors along with my heart for us to get together.  Steve if you want this relationship to last for anytime at all we have to keep God in charge.  You have to pray every day and I will continue to pray every day.  I have prayed for so long that God would….”  Stopping right where I was at I was fixing to tell Steve what my heart was saying all over again.
        “You prayed what Tina?”
        “Oh nothing, never mind.”  Steve came over and took me in a warm embrace, taking a deep breath I sure was glad that he didn't try to pry it out of me on what I was about to spill the beans about.  Steve and I started a relationship that night, one that was definitely going to take sometime.  It scared the total stew out of me to think of me making another commitment with another man.  The evening went by fast and before I knew it Steve’s grandfather clock started to chime, looking up at it I saw that it was 3:00 in the morning.      
    “Oh Lord I didn't realize how late it was, I’d better go so you can get some rest.”  Getting up I stretched and gathered my things and started toward the front door.  Our few minutes had turned into several hours, and getting to know each other just a little better.
    “Listen it’s so late, why don’t you stay here in my guest room.”
    “Oh no I really need to go I've got a lot to do tomorrow, thanks for the drink and I have really enjoyed this evening.”
    “Well thank you and so have I, can I call you sometime?”
    “I would be very upset if you didn't.”  Jotting my number down I handed it to him.
    “Well, I wouldn't won’t that so early in our relationship so I guess I’ll just have to give you a call so you won’t get upset.”
    “Okeeey dokeey, sounds good to me, I've really got to go.”
     “Okay, be careful going home and call me as soon as you get home so I’ll know that you made it okay.”
     “How?”
     “How what?”
     “How can I call you I don’t have your number.”
     “Oh well honey we can take care of that.”  Steve reached in his back pocket, took out his billfold and handed me a business card.
    “Well aren't we fancy?”
    “We have to be when dealing with the public.”
    “I know I’m joking.”
    “Oh you come here.”  Steve took me in his arms once more and gave me a warm touch with his fingers lightly running through my hair, and his sweet tasting tongue examined each and every curve of my mouth.  Reaching over I turned the doorknob before my knees got any weaker and slightly pulled away from Steve.
    “I think I’d better go or I’ll never get out of here.”
    “Yeah, okay you be careful and call me as soon as you get home.”
    “I will, as soon as I walk in the door.”  I turned and started out the door and Steve started to kiss me one more time then walked me out to the car.  Getting on the highway, my mind and heart was still in argument over what I should and shouldn't have done tonight about starting a new relationship with a man that I only met a few hours ago.  But for once I had hoped my mind would win this argument over my heart and let me start a new beginning with a new and very modish man.  Driving up in the driveway it was so quiet it was almost scary.   Getting in the house, I locked myself in, called Steve to let him know I got home okay, went, crawled into a cold bed, and dreamed of a warm man.

    RRRRRRRRRRRRRing RRRRRRRRRRRing RRRRRRRing the sound of something was going on in my mind but I wasn't sure if it was real or not.  RRRRRRRRRing, bringing myself to my senses I realized it was my telephone ringing, reaching up I answered it.
    “Hello.”
    “Hey, what are you doing?”
    “Nothing, who is this?”
    “This is your mother, who do you think it is?  And what is wrong with you?”
    “Oh hey mama I’m sorry I’m just not awake yet, by the way what time is it?”
    “It’s 1:30, what time did you get home last night, or should I say this morning?  I tried calling you up until 12:30 right before I went to bed.”  Setting up I did not know how in the world I was going to answer all of mother’s questions.
    “Uh, I think I got home about 4:00 or 4:30 when I finally got home then I talked on the phone for about 30 minutes.”
     “4:30, who in the world would be calling you at 4:30 in the morning?”
    “Uh, mama hold on just a minute please.”
    “Okay.”   Getting up I made my way quietly to the coffee pot, flipping it on I went to the living room and picked up the other phone so I could finish talking to mom.
     “Okay, I’m back.”
    “Now, tell me was it that guy that Koffman introduced you too.”
    “Yeah, that’s who it was.  I called him to let him know that I made it home okay.”
    “Where were you coming from?”
    “Mama, I love you to death but I just not awake enough to answer all your questions but let me tell you one thing this guy was awesome.”
    “Well why don’t you come over and eat supper with us and we can talk then.”
    “Sounds good to me, let me get a shower and get some coffee in me and I’ll see you in about two hours.  By the way is Mike there?”
    “No, not right now he’s gone to the pasture.  Why?”
    “I just want to know if he knows Steve or not.”
    “I don’t know but he should be here by the time you get here.”
    “Okay, I’ll see you in a little while.”  Getting a shower, it gave the coffee time to finish making.  Going to the kitchen, I got me a cup returned to the bathroom to put my face on.  Then went to get dressed, put my telephone on call forwarding and went to see my mama.    Driving up in the driveway as I got out of the car I heard the bell ringing outside indicating someone was calling.  Ernest was coming out the door as I was going in, kind of hitting him on the arm that was the way each of us showed our love to the other.
    “Someone wants you on the phone.”
    “Wants me?  Where are you going?”  Getting in his car he didn't say a word, going in a spoke to Mike and ask him where Ernest was going.  Telling me, he was going to get some ice and rolls that he’d be right back.  Walking on to the kitchen I give mama a questionable look, she did her shoulders as if she did not know who it was and just smiled.  “It’s a man.”
    “A man?”  Looking funny at her I picked up the phone.
     “Hello.”
    “Hey, are you busy?”
    “No, I just got here.”
    “Oh, okay I didn't interrupt anything did I?”
    “Uh no, I’m sorry to have to ask you this but who is this?”
    “This is Steve.”
    “Ohhh my goodness I am sooo sorry I didn't recognize your voice, what are you doing?”
    “I’m here at the office I had to come and pick up some papers before leaving on my trip.”
    “Oh, okay so when are you leaving for a trip,  where are you going?”
    “I’m leaving in the morning about 2:00 a.m.   I’m going to California for some computer classes and also to possibly land a new account while I’m there.”
    “Well that would be good.”
    “Yes, it would, listen what I’m calling about.  Are you busy this evening?”
    “Well yeah kinda why?”    
    “Well I just thought if maybe I could see you just one more time before I leave for California.  Do you mind if I drop by?”
    “Well if I was at home I wouldn't mind at all.”
    “Where are you at?  And how did you get my call?”
    “Oh I’m at mom and I put my phone on call forwarding.”
    “Oh I see, but you didn't answer my question.”
    “What question?”
    “Can I see you tonight before I leave?”
    “Sure I guess but I was planning on eating supper with my mother and Mike and my brother Ernie and play some cards afterward.  You know just have some quality time with my family, we don’t get to talk very often and right now we have a lot to talk about.”
    “Oh, I see I some how sense that I’m going to be the topic of that conversation.”
    “Now what gives you that idea.”
    “Oh I don’t know I just have this strange since of feeling.”  The whole time I was talking to Steve mom was motioning with her arms and mouthing something.  Telling Steve to hold on a minute I wanted to see what mom was saying.
    “Do what mom?”
    “Tell him to come over here, and that way I can meet him.  And do you want some coffee?”
    “Yes, please thank you.”
    “Okay Steve I’m back.”
    “What was it?”
    “Mom was wanting to know if I wanted some coffee.”
    “Oh, okay so what do you say Tina can I see you this afternoon?  I’ll be gone for about a month and well I’d just like too……..”
    “Steve are you there?”
    “Yes, I’m right here I’d just like to see you.”
    “Uh, mom says that you’re welcome to come over and eat supper with us.”
    “Well if it wouldn't be invading.”
    “No, like I said we’re just going to eat and play cards.”
    “Okay then let me finish up here and I’ll head that way, can you give me directions?”
    “Tell you what hit hwy. 78 west until you get to the red light in Temple and stop there at that store and call me and I’ll come and get you.”
    “Okay that sounds great.”  Laying the telephone down quietly I stood there a minute then went to get my coffee.  Taking it from mom she just grinned real big.
    “What?”
    “Nothing.”  Reaching over I gave her a big hug and thanked her for the invitation.
    “Okay come sit down and tell me about last night before he gets here.”
    “Oh mama you would not believe this guy, emmmm, emmmm I could just tear him up.  He is so fine, not like anybody that I've ever dated before.  And to think that he was the one that wanted to meet me first.    You’ll see what I’m talking about when he gets here.  Oh but wait I have  a picture from last night, it’s out in the car.  I’ll be right back.”  Going out to the car I looked everywhere for it and couldn’t find it.  So I left it at that and went back in to drink my coffee.   Going over I was fixing to sit down and Mike walked in behind me.
    “And you mister.”  Turning around and pointing directly to him in his face. 
    “What?  What did I do this time?”
    “You know exactly what you did, you’re the one that put Koffman up to all this.”
    “Put Koffman up to what?”
    “Up to giving me that party, having him introduce Steve to me.”
    “No honey I didn't, I didn't have a thing to do with it.  I knew he was going to do it but I did not  have a thing to do with it.”
    “Have you ever met Steve?”
    “Tina, where’s the picture?”  
    “Oh I must of left it at home cause I couldn't  find it.”  Looking back at Mike I wanted to see exactly what his explanation was going to be.
    “I've saw him around once or twice but I didn't  know him from Adam’s house cat until Koffman pointed him out to me and told me that he was the one that wanted to meet you.  Now Koffman ask me how I thought you’d react and I told him you’d probably enjoy meeting someone with that sort of back ground.  Because you had been hurt so many times before that you had your guard up and was not  easily convinced to get involved.  But as far as meeting him face to face, and him knowing me, then no we don’t know each other.  But you haven’t told us, how was last night?  This shindig was at Koffman’s house wasn’t it?”
    “Yeah it was a party and I’m telling you’ll he went way out for this thing, live band and all.”
    “That’s his son’s band.”
    “Oh really, well they sounded good and I’m sorry I thought you were the one who started all this.”
    “No, I’m not guilty this time it was all Koffman’s dealings.”  I started telling them about everything that happened at the party as we begin to play cards and drink coffee.  Ernie would laugh every time I would say something smooth about Steve.  Then I started to tell them about his house and as I described each room mom insisted that Steve and I get to know each other better so she could go and see this house.