Member-only story
My Final Dating Foible on the Mississippi Coast
I still suck at IRL dating, too
I walk in for the first time and can’t miss him. Tall, tan, tattooed, and a beaming smile. He’s friendly and welcoming. I’m sure he gets a lot of attention from women, but he’s not my type.
A few minutes later I notice the quieter guy nearby behind the counter. Light features and piercing blue eyes. Nary a tattoo in sight. Clean cut and calm.
My Bonnie senses perk up. My followers know that I’m typically attracted to the more subtle guy. Blue-eyed, calm dudes take up prominent space in my dating wheelhouse.
But I’m with my son and distracted. Any attraction is fleeting. We check out and leave.
Over the next few months, between my son’s high school graduation, various vacations, and my impending move, we stop back into the shop. Eventually, blue-eyed guy introduces himself and asks for my name. I rarely remember anyone’s name but his remains wedged in my brain.
Even though my move from the coast of Mississippi is weeks away, I find myself curious about his marital status. No ring. But given his line of work, it might be impractical to wear one. I ponder asking the cashier or one of his co-workers if he is single, but feel too pathetic.
