college education, then steered him to a premier architectural
firm. I think she dressed him each day for work. The one thing
she never had success with was my love life, though she tried her
hardest.
I booted my computer and took a look at my new messages.
I weeded out most of them, but there was one that appeared
promising.
Hel o, Pitifully Ugly,
All the profiles on here seem to be the same, but I have to say
your personal note is a standout. I LOVE the picture.
If you’re real y a woman, and you’d like to chat, I would be
very interested in hearing from you.
Charity *smiles*
Pitifully Ugly
Okay, sweet Charity, let’s give it a whirl.
Hi, Charity,
I am definitely a woman…at least last time I checked.
I’m so clever.
Glad you liked my profile. I was at a loss for something to
say, and the picture, well, it was too easy to pass up.
Tell me about yourself.
P.U.
I dug into the bank reconciliation for the Rampart store that
took me through lunch. I was proud of myself for having a few
slices of boneless skinless chicken grilled with a dash of seasoning
and an apple. Then I checked my messages.
Hello again,
About me, okay, here goes. I work at Charity Hospital as
a pediatric ICU nurse, hence the user name. I’m not much of a
party girl, but I do enjoy having a few drinks with friends. I love
being outside, and I spend a lot of time in the garden. I grow all
my own vegetables. I can’t wait for spring. I love reggae music. It
reminds me of another favorite place, the beach. I celebrated my
thirty-seventh birthday in Panama City this past summer.
I’m looking to make a friend first, and if that develops into
something more, that’s fine by me.
Your turn,
Charity
She had me at vegetables.
Hi, Charity,
We’re about the same age, and it sounds like we share some
common interests. I enjoy the beach and outdoors. I also love
homegrown veggies. I don’t grow them, but I love to eat them. I
like the spring and summer the best.
I’m an accountant for a couple of local businesses, and I
work from home. I have the luxury of a flexible schedule. On
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cold weekends, I’m usual y curled up in front of the fire with a
good book. Old movies are a passion. Anything with Doris Day
or Deborah Kerr is a winner. I guess they remind me of my
childhood. I used to sit curled up on the sofa with my mom as a
kid watching them.
Okay, your turn.
P.U.
Wow, that was really simple. Why didn’t I think like that when
I was writing my profile? I took it as a positive sign that I might
be becoming a conversationalist, even if it was on a keyboard.
I’d been working for an hour when I saw that I had a new
message from Charity.
Hi, P.U.,
I loved Deborah Kerr in The King and I . I’m reluctant to
admit that I’m a huge Rogers and Hammerstein fan. Does that
make me gay? <grin>
I work shift work, and I’m off today and tomorrow. Would
you like to meet me for coffee? No pressure.
Charity
Oh, damn. I wasn’t expecting that. I kind of thought it would
play out slowly like it had with Newbie. I took a deep breath. I
could do this. We could meet in a public place, and if things didn’t
work out, we could simply walk away.
Hi, Charity,
That sounds good. How about Café Du Monde around
eleven? I’ll be wearing a green hoodie and jeans.
P.U.
Her response was immediate.
Meet you there. I’ll be wearing a blue peacoat and jeans. I
look forward to meeting you in person.
Pitifully Ugly
And just like that, I had a quasi date. I couldn’t focus on work
any more after our chat. The day was sunny, and I felt like a walk.
I dressed and headed out.
“Feeling better?” Hailey was sitting on a bench in the
courtyard when I walked out. She was bouncing a tennis ball that
Fuzzy caught in midair.
The embarrassment of the previous evening had all but faded
until I saw her. “Yes, much better.”
Hailey scooted over to one side. “Would you like to sit
down?”
I took a seat at the opposite end, and Fuzzy brought me her
ball. I bounced it, and she caught it and promptly returned it to
me. “You’ve made a lifelong friend,” Hailey said with a smile.
“I guess I don’t have to worry about her biting me now.”
“No, she’d never bite, but she will rub that slimy ball on your
pants leg if you don’t watch her. Do you have a pet?”
“Just a stuffed pig that sits on top of my fridge. His name is
Albert.”
This earned me a laugh. I was doing well.
“I suppose that Albert doesn’t shed.”
It was my turn to laugh. “No, but he does balk when I eat too
much of his ice cream.”
“What kind of work do you do? If you don’t mind me asking.”
Hailey turned in her seat and looked at me.
“I work from home. I do accounting for a couple of businesses.
How about you?”
“I’m a senior sales manager for Manheim Pharmaceuticals,
and right now, I’m on vacation.”
“Sounds exciting.”
Hailey took a turn bouncing Fuzzy’s ball when it was dropped
in her lap. “Trust me when I say it’s not, but it pays the bills.”
“So are you happy with your new place?”
“I really am,” she said with a smile. “I wasn’t sure I’d like
living so close to the French Quarter, but now I love it. And my
apartment has a great view of the courtyard.”
“That’s what I love most about this place.” I looked around at
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the high red brick walls covered in ivy. It was cozy and well kept.
The chimenea was kept with burning logs most afternoons. Each
tenant would add another log to the fire as they came and went.
“The view or the courtyard?”
“Both. I think my apartment is directly above yours, so I
have the same view, and I love coming out here, especially in the
spring when the flowers are in bloom.”
Hailey nodded. “I look forward to seeing it in the spring. I
appreciate being able to walk Fuzzy in the courtyard after dark.