A Chat Between Friends (Part 6)
Sheryl, thanks for putting a window in my wall!!! I owe you one! LOL
Last Time:
Bo, Nora, and Hank share some chilidogs. (What??? Did you expect Pizza?? LOL!)
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Several days had passed and each and every time Bo got on-line, there was no ‘SlowDancer.’ He was becoming more and more depressed. Actually, he was spending more and more time thinking about Nora and that just made him more confused. He finally came to a realization, it was the thought of Nora that kept him signing on anyway. It was the memory of Nora that made him want to chat with this ‘SlowDancer.’ Hell, it was this woman’s charm, intelligence, and incredible sense of humor that reminded him of Nora.
“Nora! Nora! Nora!” he admonished himself as he logged out of the chat room. Pushing his chair back, he stared out of the window. “God Nora I miss you…” Looking at his computer monitor. “I miss you too, ‘SlowDancer.’ Where are you??” he questioned in the silence and loneliness of his garret.
Nora was in agony. She missed talking to ‘ChiliDog.’ But how fair would it be to strike up a relationship with someone when you spent the whole time thinking and picturing someone else.
Matthew bounded down the stairs and ran to hug Nora.
“Hi, Sweetie,” she said as she held him tightly.
“I’ve got homework tonight, Mommy. Remember??”
“Yes I do! You need a picture of Abraham Lincoln, right?”
“Yep, Ms. Coffman said we could get it off the internet.” Looking at his Mother with confusion, “What’s an internet?”
“It’s trouble!” Nora said before she thought.
“Huh?” Matthew looked totally confused by his Mother’s response.
“Nothing, Honey,” Nora smiled as she took his hand. “It’s this really cool tool you use with the computer and you can find all sorts of stuff on it.”
“Can you show me?” Matthew smiled.
“You bet. Come right this way,” she said as she led him into her study. Just sitting down at the computer after being away for so many days caused her heart to race.
Nora found the picture Matthew needed and printed a copy for him to take to school. He happily skipped upstairs to get ready for bed. Nora sat there staring at the screen. Fighting the urge to check the chat room.
“He’s probably not even on-line,” she said to herself as the arrow hovered above the link. Finally she clicked.
There was a long list of people on-line, and she slowly scrolled down…
ChiliDog: HEY!!! I’ve missed YOU!
Nora’s heart was beating out of her chest. She quickly moved her mouse to the log out button but didn’t click.
ChiliDog: Please don’t log off!! Talk to me!!
Finally she began to type.
SlowDancer: Hi There
ChiliDog: Hi!!!!! Are you all right?? I’ve been worrying about you.
SlowDancer: I’m fine. Just very busy. Can’t chat for long.
ChiliDog: Oh! OK… Glad you’re doing fine. Can you tell me what happened?
SlowDancer: When?
ChiliDog: When? When????? When you left me about a week ago wondering what happened.
SlowDancer: I’m sorry about that. Really I am.
ChiliDog: You can tell me anything, you know! Anything!! I care about YOU!
SlowDancer: Oh please don’t say that!
ChiliDog: Sorry, but I do!! Now talk!
SlowDancer: I don’t even know where to begin.
ChiliDog: Well… Start with why you left so abruptly the other night. Did I say something?
SlowDancer: No… I did.
ChiliDog: What?
SlowDancer: I described what I thought you looked like, remember?
ChiliDog: Yes, I remember. And you were so close it was scary! LOL!
SlowDancer: Really?? LOL! How about that. But that’s not all…
ChiliDog: What Else? I’m listening…
SlowDancer: You know how I described you?
ChiliDog: Yeah?
SlowDancer: I realized that what I was picturing in my mind was my ex-husband {feeling shame!}
ChiliDog: Wow… Really??… Hmm…
SlowDancer: Yeah, I know how you feel. I didn’t want to hurt you!
ChiliDog: Must have been some realization, huh?
SlowDancer: More than I could take, or possibly try to explain to you.
ChiliDog: Well, you just did explain it.
SlowDancer: So… What do you think? Am I totally hopeless. Can you help me?!?!
ChiliDog: Know what I think?? I think your Ex must be a hell of a good-looking man!!!
SlowDancer: LOL!! Yes, yes he is.
ChiliDog: He’s also a fool!
SlowDancer: Well… I don’t think I’d go that far.
ChiliDog: Oh Yes!! Trust me! I’m king of the “Fool Club!” I know one when I hear about one!
SlowDancer: LOL!! Thanks! You’re too sweet.
SlowDancer: Whew!! I feel so much better having told you that.
ChiliDog: LOL! I’m glad!
SlowDancer: Oh, btw, I missed you too!!!!
ChiliDog: {BIG SMILE!} Now THAT is the best thing I’ve heard ALL week!
ChiliDog: Can I dump on you a little bit?
SlowDancer: You Bet! Anything!
ChiliDog: I had an emotionally draining week!
SlowDancer: What happened?
ChiliDog: I ran into my ex wife. I’m still struggling with old feelings. I’m telling you this because I know you’ll understand.
SlowDancer: I do understand, believe me, I really do. My week was VERY similar!
ChiliDog: How do we get past these old feelings?
SlowDancer: I think we do what we’re doing, meeting someone new?
ChiliDog: I want to meet you! In person!
SlowDancer: I’d love to do that! Where do you want to meet?
ChiliDog: We need someplace that’s convenient for both of us.
Nora thought for a minute. Having their first meeting in a familiar environment for her made her feel somewhat safe. It would also be convenient to not have to make special arrangements for Matthew. She could suggest Llanview without revealing that it’s her home.
SlowDancer: I was just looking at a map! LOL! The perks of the internet! LOL! You wouldn’t happen to live anywhere near a town called Llanview, would you??
Bo couldn’t believe it!! Llanview?? He didn’t want to let it show just how familiar he really was with Llanview. Could she live nearby??
ChiliDog: Yeah, I’ve heard of it. Even been there a time or two. It’s not too far from me.
SlowDancer: You’re kidding!!! It’s close to me too.
ChiliDog: I do remember there being a beautiful hotel right in the middle of town, The Palace. It really has one of the best restaurants. Do you know the place??
Do I know the place?!?!? Nora wanted to scream! Her heart was pounding in her chest. This was all too perfect.
SlowDancer: Yes, I’ve heard of it.
ChiliDog: Great!! How about we meet this Friday, say 6:30??
SlowDancer: That sounds wonderful!!… I’m very excited about finally meeting you in person. I feel like I already know you!
ChiliDog: I feel the same way.
SlowDancer: Should we tell each other our real names now??
ChiliDog: No, let’s wait until we finally meet in person. We’ll make proper introductions then. Is that OK with you? When I hear your real name for the first time, I’d like to be looking into your eyes.
SlowDancer: That sounds nice. Thrilling, actually! LOL!
ChiliDog: So how will we know each other??
SlowDancer: Hmm… What about if I wear a royal blue top. The rest will be a surprise? LOL!
ChiliDog: OK! LOL! This should be fun. Royal Blue, huh?
SlowDancer: Yep! How many royal blue tops can there possibly be? LOL
ChiliDog: LOL! I’m hoping for only ONE!
SlowDancer: ROFL! So am I. What about you?? How will I know you??
ChiliDog: Well… You already have a pretty good idea what I look like. LOL! I’ll be the handsome guy waiting for YOU! How many handsome guys could there possibly be?? LOL!
SlowDancer: LOL! Like you… I’m hoping for only ONE! You don’t want to make this easy, do you? LOL
ChiliDog: “EASY” is NEVER fun! LOL!
SlowDancer: No, I guess it’s not.
ChiliDog: I want to tell you something before I sign-off this evening and wait anxiously for Friday night to arrive…
SlowDancer: What??
ChiliDog: Here’s a little preview of Friday night: I intend to introduce myself to you (flashing my best smile) LOL! Take you by the hand and lead you immediately to the dance floor, look deeply into your eyes and thank you for bringing light back into my heart.
SlowDancer: OMG!! You’re making me cry here!
ChiliDog: One more thing…
SlowDancer: I don’t know if my heart can take it, but go ahead.
ChiliDog: My hand is going to slowly caress your face as I lean in and place a soft kiss on your lips. AND… keep in mind… We’ll be doing all this while we’re slow dancing with my arm holding you tight against me.
SlowDancer: That’s how it’s gonna go???
ChiliDog: Exactly!
SlowDancer: Um… Um… LOL!! I’ll see you Friday then. I’m going to take a cold shower now!
ChiliDog: ROFL!! I’m right behind you!
SlowDancer: LOL!! Stop it!! I’ll see you Friday!
ChiliDog: I’m looking forward to it.
SlowDancer: So AM I! Goodnight!
ChiliDog: Goodnight, SlowDancer!
They both sign off and continue to stare at their computer monitors. The desire that had built in both of them was undeniable, thought provoking, and yet… somehow very familiar.
To be continued . . .