The Click Trilogy (9 page)

Subject: Re: Spider Fire Fan

Yeah, I heard that.  But, he didn’t seem real strung out when we saw them.  With rumors, you just never know.  Have you heard of Great Neck Weekly?  They are a new band just coming on the scene.  Kind of a combo of Spider Fire and Modern Joes?  They are doing a small concert at the Wiltern next weekend.  Would you want to go check it out on Friday night?

From: [email protected]/ PRGal1981 – March 18, 2011 – 11:59 AM

To: [email protected]/MusicMan22

Subject: Re: Spider Fire Fan

Sure.  That would be great.  Why don’t I meet you there?

From: [email protected]/MusicMan22 – March 18, 2011 – 12:14 PM

To: [email protected]/PRGal1981

Subject: Re: Spider Fire Fan

That’s cool.  I have a sister and I know I wouldn’t want some strange guy knowing where she lived.  I’ll meet you in front of will call at 7:30.  Show starts at 8:00.  See you then.  My cell is 310/555-8275 and if you want to chat before then, give me a call.

From: Renee Greene – March 22, 2011 – 12:26 PM

To: Shelley Manning, Mark Finlay

Subject: The One!?!?!?

This could be it.  His name is Matt Kaufman and he’s a graphic designer for a surf company in Huntington Beach and loves my favorite bands.  We’ve talked every night this week for HOURS.  He’s taking me to see Great Neck Weekly, which is a mix of Spider Fire and Modern Joes on Friday night.  Keep your fingers crossed.  This could be L-O-V-E. :)

From: Mark Finlay – March 22, 2011 – 1:30 PM

To: Shelley Manning; Renee Greene

Subject: Re: The One!?!?!?

Fingers crossed!  Call me when you get home.  Doesn’t matter how late. I’ll be up writing code.  And, no, Shelley, “writing code” isn’t code for something.  It’s just writing code.

From: Shelley Manning – March 22, 2011 – 3:07 PM

To: Renee Greene; Mark Finlay

Subject: Re: The One!?!?!?

Ha, Finlay!  I
was
thinking it might be code for something.

Have fun, sweetie and call me when you’re home.

Chapter 4 – Love  Is A Four Letter Word

From: Renee Greene – March 27, 2011 – 1:15 AM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: PER-FEC-TION!

Omigod!  This man is P-E-R-F-E-C-T.  I had the BEST time tonight.  He is so charming, funny, smart, playful, interesting – okay I could go on and on.  I haven’t felt this way in a really long time and it makes me realize how incredibly lonely I’ve been.  Speaking of not being lonely, where are you, dearie?

From: Shelley Manning – March 28, 2011 – 8:02 AM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: PER-FEC-TION!

Sorry.  I was out of town all weekend on an unexpected trip.  Met this guy – Freddie – and he whisked me to Vegas on his private jet.  We got comped at a swanky hotel.  It was spectacular – and I’m not just talking about in the boudoir.  From now on, he will be known as Jet Setter.

As for you – WOW!  Sounds wonderful and you totally deserve to meet someone that makes you feel good.  So, gimme details.

From: [email protected]/BrownEyedGuy – March 28, 2011 – 9:04 AM

To: [email protected]/PRGal1981

Subject: Interested?

Are you a passionate lady? With a spark in her personality? Do you have nice legs? I'm eager to meet you.  I'm searching for a compassionate lady to fill the emptiness in my life and to enjoy a long-term relationship.

I live in Reseda.  I'm in my 40's, 6ft tall, 175 pounds, chestnut brown eyes, dark brown hair. I'm frequently told that I am a nice looking man. You will have to be your own judge of that when we meet.  ;)

Interested or should I move on?

From: Renee Greene – March 28, 2011 – 9:05 AM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Fwd: Interested?

OMG!  The man of my dreams is alive and well and apparently living in Reseda.  Call the caterer, hem the taffeta, alert the media.  The wedding is ON!

From: Shelley Manning – March 28, 2011 – 9:07 AM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Fwd: Interested?

Ha-Larious!  Move on brother, move on!

p.s.  If you think this fine specimen of a body is touching taffeta, you got another thing coming, sister!

From: Renee Greene – March 28, 2011 – 9:32 AM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: PER-FEC-TION!

Details, huh?  Sounds like me writing to you instead of you writing to me.  Normally I say that I have to live vicariously through you.  But, for once in a long time, I really feel alive.  So, here goes.

We met at the Wiltern about 7:30.  He looked pretty much like his photo – absolutely adorable – but he seemed a bit taller than I had imagined.  I think it’s just the way he carries himself.  True to photo, he was cute, but not overly gorgeous.  His smile is a little crooked, but he has the most unbelievable, white teeth I’ve ever seen.  I was so tempted to ask if they were real, but decided that I didn’t want to spoil the illusion if they weren’t.  Anyway, his hair is a lighter sandy blond than in the photo and it made him kind of look like a professional volleyball player and part-time model for sun tan lotion.

We waited outside in line for about an hour before the show started and just talked.  Just like on the phone, there were never any awkward silences.  We had so much in common and he was just so interesting.  He is a graphic designer and has shown his work at some small galleries at Bergamot Station.  How cool is that?  And, because he works in the marketing area, he actually understands what I do for a living.  Kudos to him.

The concert was absolutely amazing.  They are such a cool band.  So much like Spider Fire but definitely with their own sound.  I bought their CD at the event and am listening to it now as I’m writing to you instead of reviewing focus group research findings about cooking oil [YAWN!] I just can’t seem to concentrate.

Anyway, after the concert ended, we walked across the street to a small coffee shop and had coffee.  Well, he had coffee and I had a lemonade.  He did sort of think it was strange that I’m 30 years old and I’ve never had a cup of coffee.  But, he seemed to find it endearing.  Extra points to him for that one.

Then, he walked me to my car and gave me the sweetest kiss goodnight.  As I closed the door and he began to walk away, he turned around and knocked on my window.  I rolled it down and – oh I’m just getting goose bumps thinking about it – he told me that he really had a great time and wanted to know when I was free for dinner.  YEE HAW!

So, we have plans to go out on Wednesday.  Hurrah!  Do you have any idea how long it has been since I’ve been out on a second date?

From: Shelley Manning – March 28, 2011 – 11:46 AM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: PER-FEC-TION!

Sweetie, that is so great!  I’m thrilled for you.  He sounds like a total gentleman…but I won’t hold that against him.  HA!  I on the other hand, held myself all night against a really hot accountant (I know, that sounds like an oxymoron, but it’s true) that I met at Flint’s the other night.  My only complaint.  He was a tad bit too hairy…you know…down there.  From this moment forward, he will be known as Ape.

From: [email protected] – March 28, 2011 – 12:03 PM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Fun night

Hey Renee.  I just wanted to drop you an email and tell you how much fun I had Saturday night.  And, wanted you to have my real email address too.   I never thought I could meet such a cool gal over the Internet.  But, I’m lucky and happy to learn that I was wrong.  Yes.  You are reading this correctly.  A man has admitted that indeed he was wrong.  Anyway, hoping that you are having a great day at work and looking forward to dinner on Wednesday.

From: Renee Greene – March 28, 2011 – 12:08 PM

To: [email protected]

Subject: Re: Fun night

I was just about to email you to say thanks.  That is so spooky.  I had so much fun too.  The concert was great but the company was even better.  It is hard to believe I’ve met a Spider Fire fan that also has no problem admitting when he’s wrong.  What a rarity.  Are you going to tell me that you actually have – shudder the thought – asked for directions?  Or that you have put the toilet seat down?  Hmm.  What other male stereotypes can we bash here? 

From: [email protected] – March 28, 2011 – 12:16 PM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Fun night

Oh I see.  We’re going to play that game.  Well, let me just imagine how many pairs of black shoes you have in your closet right now.

Wondering how I knew about that one, huh?  As I mentioned, I do have a sister and she owns more pairs of black shoes than anyone I’ve ever met. 

About Wednesday, how about Korean BBQ?  There’s this great place I know and I would love to take you there.

From: Renee Greene – March 28, 2011 – 1:23 PM

To: [email protected]

Subject: Re: Fun night

Touché.  I am the Queen of black shoes.  In fact I have this theory that women own twelve pairs of black shoes – leather pumps, suede pumps, tall boots, short boots, flats, sandals, strappy sandals, lace-ups, etc.  But, we only own one pair of athletic shoes.  Men on the other hand own one pair of black shoes and twelve pairs of athletic shoes – tennis shoes, cleats, basketball shoes, deck shoes, cross trainers, running shoes, etc. You get the picture.  To each his/her own vice, I say.

Korean BBQ sounds great.  One of my buddies from college is Korean and his mom used to send him back to school after vacations with jars and jars filled with homemade kimchee.  Dee-lish.

Well, I am off to the dentist for my annual cleaning.  I’ll talk with you later.

From: [email protected] – March 28, 2011 – 1:55 PM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Fun night

The dentist.  Excellent.  Love a woman with a sparkling clean mouth.  Not that I don’t love the occasional dirty talk.  Oh, was that too much information? HA! HA!

Korean BBQ it is.  Why don’t I pick you up at your place?  Is that okay or are you still worried I could be a murderer/serial killer?

From: Renee Greene – March 28, 2011 – 4:42 PM

To: [email protected]

Subject: Re: Fun night

Well, you could very well be a serial killer, but I’m willing to take the risk.  I’ll call you with my address.  Looking forward to it.

From: Renee Greene – March 28, 2011 – 8:07 PM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Second Date!!!!!

A second date.  Yes, you read correctly.  I have a SECOND date.  I don’t even remember when was the last time I had a second date…with the same person.  Matt is taking me to a little Korean BBQ place for dinner on Wednesday.

From: Shelley Manning – March 29, 2011 – 2:57 PM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Second Date!!!!!

Fab news! Crazy busy day.  Gotta run.  Cuddler just quit and we’re having a cake for him.  See you at Mel’s tomorrow for lunch so we can talk further.  Mwah! Mwah!

From: Shelley Manning – March 30, 2011 – 2:02 PM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Cuddler Comments

Fun lunch as always.  Gotta tell you, you had me in stitches.  I’ve just never heard you so bruising before.  Those jokes about the Cuddler – Ha-Larious!  My favorite had to be his career change to weeper at a funeral home.

From: Renee Greene – March 30, 2011 – 2:12 PM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Cuddler Comments

That was a good one, huh?  I don’t know what it is.  I just can’t help myself. It’s fun to be a little mean sometimes.

From: Shelley Manning – March 30, 2011 – 2:15 PM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Cuddler Comments

Oh don’t get me wrong.  I love it when you are cruel and ruthless.  It’s just so not like you.

From: Renee Greene – March 30, 2011 – 2:17 PM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Cuddler Comments

Well, get used to it baby.  There’s a new sheriff in town and her name is Supermodel Renee.

From: Shelley Manning – March 30, 2011 – 2:19 PM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Cuddler Comments

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.

From: Renee Greene – March 30 – 10:02 PM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Am I a joke?

Okay, I’m probably being TOTALLY paranoid.  But, my SECOND DATE(!!!) with Matt is on April Fool’s Day.  After that fiasco with Valentine’s Day, I’m thinking maybe he’s just playing a trick on me.

From: Shelley Manning – March 31, 2011 – 8:42 AM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Am I a joke?

Being friends with you can be exhausting!  Of course he’s not playing a trick on you.  He likes you.  A woman with your impoverished levels of self-esteem just can’t seem to see what the rest of us do.  You’re lovely, wonderful, funny, smart and all around great.  How many times do I have to remind you – you are Supermodel Renee!  So, go forth and enjoy! Mwah! Mwah!

From: Renee Greene – March 31, 2011 – 8:45 AM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Re: Am I a joke?

From: Renee Greene – April 2, 2011 – 11:15 AM

To: Shelley Manning

Subject: Candy Musings

Oh My God!  So, Matt comes over last night with this big box of candy.  Well, I didn’t bother to read the card because we were leaving for dinner.  So, I read the card when I get back and it says, “If this box of candy could only come close to embodying the sweetness of your smile, I would devour one every day.”  Good Lord!

From: Shelley Manning – April 4, 2011 – 8:42 AM

To: Renee Greene

Subject: Re: Candy Musings

Wow!  Well, you do have a beautiful smile so the sentiment is true.  But don’t you think it is a little weird that he is being so effusive so early?  Just be careful.  I don’t want you to get hurt.  Sometimes guys say things because they want to get in good with you, or just with you, or just in you.  The possibilities are really endless, aren’t they?  ;)