While aligning at work the ditty would pop up with Edward’s image. In the spring of 1978, a year after he walked on the plane and out of my life, an engineer walked in. He was fixing equipment at Nortec on contract. Vixen didn’t flirt for his attention, she didn’t even notice him. Instead he boldly approached while I was bent over aligning and asked.
“Hi good looking, How about having
lunch together in the cafeteria at break time.”
Looking up from my microscope and refocusing I scanned him over. His alignment pleased me.
“I don’t eat cafeteria food. I bring
my lunch. Cafeteria food is bad.”
“I know but I didn’t bring lunch. You can sit with me while you eat yours. I’m just asking for us to sit together.”
“You’re pushy. I’m aligning now.
Pick a seat and when I go to lunch I’ll decide if I want to sit with you.”
When I carried my lunch bag to the
cafeteria he was sitting alone at a table in a far corner. I decided to sit
with him briefly and then go to my girl’s table. I sat across from him, opened
my plastic lunch container and nibbled on the chicken I brought but didn’t look
at him. He finally asked.
"Cat got your tongue? It’s okay. I’m glad you decided to sit with me. What’s your name?
I looked up.
“Cobra”
“Cobra, are you venomous?”
“Careful, I might bite you.”
My tongue darted out in warning.
How about you and me go on a date?
Let me see if I can charm you."
"I'm married".
"So am I".
"Í don't see a ring".
"Don't wear one but I'm
married."
He was 10 years older, good looking
but bald on top and a bit on the short side, say 5 foot 9. I figured Italian.
He had a nice voice and smelled good. He was sure of himself in demeanor, an
Alpha male. I looked directly at him.
"Are you good enough to date
me?"
He didn’t flinch or look away but
smiled, self-assured.
"I'm good, yes, very good. If
you go on a date with me you'll know I’m good too."
