Date #3
The saloon was filled with the music of the overlooking Bighorn Mountains: banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar, and the twangy bass of the old singing cowboy.
I had met my date several months earlier, and we chit chatted here and there. A young country guy, he wore work boots, worn jeans, and a mud-splattered hoodie.
October arrived, and I hadn’t seen him in a couple of months, so we decided to meet up for a drink.
Waiting for my date, I sat there enjoying the music–an obvious outsider from the Midwest in my leggings, RayBans, fluffy wool sweater, and glass of red wine.
Sipping my wine, I looked toward the door, and there stood John Wayne: black leather coat, woolen vest, silk scarf, white Stetson, and cowboy boots with spurs that jingled slightly with the solid thud of his heels on the hardwood floor. “Well that guy looks cool” I thought. I looked back at the musicians and didn’t notice him standing beside me until he said, “Howdy, Laura” as he tipped his hat.
So far so good. Dates 1, 2, & 3 were successes and am happy to say are now friends as well as dates 4,5,6,7,8, and 9.
Then came the final date. Date #10
We met up in Ann Arbor for dinner and a show. We walked around downtown beneath the Christmas lights and the softly falling snow. It was romantic.
I was actually really starting to like the guy. He was a very bright engineer, well traveled, well dressed, tall, fun and very handsome. He was very honest, straightforward, and bolder then most guys, and I liked it. For instance, he told me that he liked me, was interested in me, and would like to spend more time with me. Things a girl is certainly not opposed to hearing especially from a tall handsome guy, right?
His boldness was at first attractive, but then . . . , it never seemed to reach a peak. He got bolder and bolder, and I drew back further and further.
It reminded me of an evening last fall in the mountains.
I went for a walk up on the Mesa. The mountain grass was solid gold, and the peaks were dusted in a fresh white snow. I was overwhelmed by the beauty, and that golden hour of sunlight blinded me from my surroundings. I walked into the tree line, and 15 feet in front of me stood a bull moose.
We stared at each other.
My mind was whirl . . . , what to do? I backed up slowly but stayed near the trees. He walked toward me and grunted loudly. This continued for almost 3 minutes. It felt like 30.
Finally, he stopped following me, and I took the chance and dashed through the trees.
I got away.
Ok, so this dude wasn’t that extreme. He wasn’t dangerous, but there were definitely some parallels.
Both of us talked and decided that we have different sort of lives, values, and intentions and we parted on friendly terms.
Just like me and the moose. 🤓
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Well y’all, I’ve emerged from the challenge unscathed. It was actually kinda fun! I met a bunch of great guys and am blessed with new friends.
Yes, I am still single and happy.
Here’s to 2018!
Laura Ellen 