Meeting My Future
I was too excited to read at the wedding. Wearing my best suit, a new tie, surrounded by friends, and chosen to read at a wedding...what better occasion for someone who loves such attention? When the time came, I stood and read somewhat nervously, and I remember looking out at the crowd and seeing a woman in a blue dress near the aisle. There wasn’t time to drink in that sight, but it was the first time I remember seeing you.
After the ceremony, Joe & I raced off for a drink. It didn’t occur to me at the time to check you out on the way, as I tended to shy away from women I found attractive, and I wasn’t sure of anything – if you were there with a date, if you were married, what you looked like closer than a hundred feet, and so on. After a few drinks and general carrying on with my friends, Mason wanted to go out to his car to get his wedding present for Shane & Rosie. I went with him, partially to smoke, but also to catch up with him. On the way back inside, I saw you again, and this time I got a much better look. I saw a beautiful, shapely woman who carried herself well, wearing that magnificent royal blue dress. I mentioned you to Mason, who suggested I pipe up and talk to you, but I dismissed the idea at first. I saw you with Mike and (the other girl whose name I’ve already forgotten a few times) and wasn’t sure what the deal was, but I distinctly said, “I hope she isn’t leaving.”
Let’s fast forward.
The first moment of truth came when I was walking back inside from smoking. I rounded the corner and my friends yelled, “Sly!” in unison. You were seated at the table next to them, and I noticed you smiling at that display, so I decided to make a show of it. After gesturing to everyone that I would try that entrance again, I walked out and came back in to them yelling my name again, which teased a laugh from you. That’s what I was hoping for! If I could get you to laugh, it might break the ice a bit if I tried to talk with you later. But I wasn’t ready yet, so I went to my table and tried to look as controlled as possible.
A few minutes later, I saw you walking across the dance floor unescorted. Mike was around the other girl, and by this time I figured that you weren’t with anyone else there. If I didn’t get the hell up and talk to you, I would probably lose my chance, so I had to go for it. I started toward you and quickly found myself alone, too obvious to just play it off in case you changed course or stared me down. I was committed. Thoughts of an intro line – “love your dress”, “you look fantastic and deserving of a drink and pleasant conversation”, and some other things I can’t remember easily – flooded my mind. I seriously thought I’d choke and screw up the entire introduction.
But, of course, I didn’t. I said something. It bothers me to no end that I cannot remember what I said accurately, but I said it.