Chapter 8 – A Special PlaceAfter I finished writing my first screenplay,
Angelfish on a Hot Tin Roof, I decided to go to the library and catch up on my reading. Given that I was going nowhere in the romance department, finding a good book seemed like the best thing I could do. But a good book wasn't all that I found.
Isn't he gorgeous? That sweater and tie with a green mohawk – fantastic! It turned out he was the new librarian – Ross Stiles. A young adult, a bookworm, and single. I was in love, and I wanted to make sure he was, too, so I shot him with my little bow and told him I was a genie.
As a genie, I had the power to grant 3 wishes, I said. What was his first wish? To go on a date with me, he answered. So we went over to the museum.
His second wish was that I would read him one of my poems (I'd kind of let drop the fact that I'd written some poetry).
And his third wish was that I would kiss him. Granted!
By then we were pretty good friends, so when our date ended (a gold date, one requirement completed), I asked him to move in with us. I found out that Ross was neat (useful) and had the aspiration to become an Angling Ace (Grandma would be so pleased!) and was also noncommittal (oh dear). Maybe I should have told him that he wouldn't be able to move out again. But he was very happy to get the chance to learn how to fish, so I thought I'd wait a bit longer before mentioning it.
My job wasn't due to start until Sunday and I'd completed all my requirements for a promotion, so when we'd rested again, I asked him out on another date. We went to the lounge, where I read him another poem.
We took a picture of ourselves together.
And then Ross kissed me passionately. I was very surprised, but I definitely liked it.
Right after that, he proposed...
...and I turned him down.
Why??? he asked. Wasn't he supposed to propose? Because the circumstances were all wrong, I answered. Number one, I was dressed in gym shorts, and he was dressed in whatever. Number two, we were in a place filled with people. Number three, I wanted us to have a special place, and this wasn't it. Okay, okay, he said, he got it.
We went home, and I was so cross that I went to bed. Alone.
A little after midnight, Ross woke me up. He'd found a special place for us. Did I want to go there with him? But I have to be at work at 9, I complained. Suit yourself, he said. I'm just sorry I went to all this trouble packing. I noticed he had a suitcase. This looked intriguing.
He took me to a place that was very dark. As soon as we got there, he said we had to get into our formal clothes. You look beautiful, he told me, as soon as he'd lit the lantern.
But where are we? I asked.
The old mine, he said. I got directions from your grandfather. I'm starting to feel kind of tense, he continued. Do you think you could shoot me again with that bow and arrow?
As soon as I shot him...
And then Ross proposed again.
It wasn't quite the place I would have chosen, but we were certainly dressed up, and there wasn't anyone else around. And maybe the sound of water dripping is romantic – it certainly emphasizes the silence. Anyway, I made it clear that the answer was yes.
Later that day, after I finished work, he and I decided to check out the Observatory. Grandad Pinochle and Grandma started laughing at us. What? I said. We just want to find out if you really can see the stars during the day from inside. They just laughed some more.
The next morning, I had some news for Ross...
Incidentally, Mom's making good progress. She joined the Planet Patrol, and she has 8 space rocks now.
