Serendipity? (1) in Open Diary 2001-2018 (Pre-Prosebox)

I have to go waaay back for this one. I tried to find an entry relating to this experience, but it was obviously not even worth mentioning. Until now. I’ll try to keep this first part short…

A long, long time ago (I think December), I met some of my new girlfriends for happy hour. I showed up first, and as I was waiting at the bar for my two friends, a friendly and handsome man started making conversation with me. I don’t quite remember what started it all, but I remembered that I was fascinated by this man. I’ll call him Max. We were sitting by the door and it was cold, so Max suggested that we sit together at a table facing the door so that I could see my friends walk in. They showed up and we all continued talking. Max had us all enthralled. I don’t remember the specifics, but I remember that some of his stories were outrageous. Borderline freaky. He was getting kind of drunk, and I think I was a little buzzed myself when we decided to go to another bar. Max then informed me that he hadn’t driven to the bar and asked me if I would mind giving him a ride to the next place. After much consideration (and a pretty stern talking-to from one of the girls who didn’t want to see me put myself in a sticky situation), I told him to just meet us at Bar #2. He asked for my phone number just in case something happened, so I gave him my business card….with my work # only. Long story short, we ended up NOT going to Bar #2, but actually went to Bar #3. Max eventually called me at work and I pretty much blew him off. End of story. Not even worth an entry, right?

Part 2:

I was getting ready to see Best Bud, her hubby, Matt, Greg and Maddie a few weeks ago (I guess it was three weeks ago now), and I had about an hour to kill before I had to head for the airport, so I stopped at a Marshall’s to see if I could find some sandals suitable for river and other water activities. As I was browsing through the store, I noticed a guy. Attractive in a different kinda way. He was athletic, wearing running shorts and looked like he’d just been out for a jog. I went to the shoe section and noticed him walk past me. I looked at the racks of shoes for a minute, but then eased my way around the aisle to see if I could catch a peek at this mysterious guy again. Sure enough, he rounded a corner and looked in my direction! I tried to look away quickly, but I was definitely busted! I quickly scooted over to the clothing and was looking through some shorts, and when I turned my head he was WALKING PAST ME….with a sly SMIRK on his face! I continued to nervously flip through the rack, looking up occasionally to see where he was. After another minute or two, I saw him walk out the door. Something really strange came over me, and I followed about 50-60 paces behind. I had no idea what I would do if he turned around. But he didn’t. He kept walking all the way through the parking lot. And soon he was gone. Odd. But still not worth an entry.

Part 3:

I was getting all ready for my presentation with my teams today and had a little over an hour to eat lunch, get my shit together, and go on. I decided to run to the supermarket close to work and grab a salad from the salad bar and some snacks for my teams (sugar keeps them happy during meetings). So I grabbed a basket and walked to the candy aisle and picked up some bags of candy and started to walk to the deli/salad bar. And there he was…the guy in the running shorts from Marshall’s! He was wearing running shorts and a t-shirt again (different, but similar). He was browsing the aisles AGAIN! My heart sort of jumped and I kind of tried to get away. But as I rounded one of the corners, there he was! He smiled at me! And as I tried to fast-walk to the salad bar, he somehow came right up behind me and half whispered, “I swear I’m not following you.”

I almost wet my pants!

I laughed and answered, “I’m not sure I believe you.”

And then he was gone. Lost in a sea of produce. I hightailed it to the salad bar. My heart was racing. I kept telling myself to calm down and be a normal human being. But I couldn’t! What the hell was wrong with me? Was this a sign? If this was a sign, it was the most blaring one I think I’ve ever had in my life! But it was so odd. I put my head down and gathered all of my lettuce and veggies and pasta and fruit as I tried to gather my wits. And by the time I finally looked up, he was gone again!

That figures.

I walked up to the counter with my salad and my five bags of candy (which made the cashier laugh out loud), paid for my stuff and started to walk out the door. And as I emerged, who should I see just standing there acting like he was walking to the parking lot? Mmm hmm.

Finally. FINALLY I mustered some balls from somewhere, and I turned directly to him and smiled. Not a huge smile, but a nice (hopefully) normal, friendly smile. I got nothing in response. Until I walked about 15 feet away. I heard him say something. I didn’t know what, so I turned around and motioned, “what?”

(to be continued…)