It was August 1989 and I was looking for a job anywhere I could find one, as I needed a second job to pay all my bills. I even applied at the mall (my least favorite place). I was all dressed up to drop off applications as I was walking past the food court. Low and behold, there was Handsome working at one of the kiosks! He literally jumped over the counter and gave me a big hug. We talked about anything we could think of. He was still in school. I had graduated with my AA in Fine Arts. He had one more semester, then was going on to FSU in January. I had finally moved out of my parents' house and was living with a roommate. An hour later, he realized he needed to get back to work (it wasn't busy anyway). He said, "Come by any time. I'm always here!" I said, "Sure." We didn't think to exchange numbers and I never went back.
I spent the next two years thinking about Handsome a lot. During holidays and summers, I would fantasize that he was in town. I would imagine bumping into him in unusual locations. My constant thought was that I would see him drive up next to me at an intersection. I was starting to scare myself as I never thought of anyone like that before. I was beginning to think I would make myself crazy. It didn't help that a mutual friend of ours confirmed that he had feelings for me back in school.
In January of 1991, I started asking friends and family what I should do. The general consensus was that I should call him. The worst that could happen would be that I would have a good friend. I did it. I looked him up in the phone book and called. His grandmother answered the phone and said he wasn't there. I told her I had expected that he wouldn't be, but to please give him my number so he could call me back. She said she would. I waited on needles and pins for days... and weeks. Nothing. I was too scared to try again.
Labels: Favorites from my old blog
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