story time.

This experience is from the 2009 archive of the life of Holly.

If would make a cute scene for a Nora Ephron movie.

Nora.

Nora, can you hear me? I'm giving you a cute meet. Or is it meet cute? I need to watch The Holiday again, apparently.

Anyway, so I just got out of Kathleen's wedding luncheon. I, wanting to look sassy that day, decided to wear my high-heeled peep toes that remind me of Serena van der Woodsen and a high-waist tulip skirt. Made of silk.

Of course it is raining cats and dogs.

Of course I parked 2 city blocks away to get free parking.

Of course my umbrella is in my car.

So I am run-walking in my tall shoes, trying to avoid the deeper puddles in hopes of salvaging the shoes (yeah, I know). I am also holding my purse over my head, hoping this will prevent my hair from going limp and also, inexplicably, even miraculously, prevent my skirt from becoming a rain-stained mess (yeah, I know). I am also doing all this while trying to look confident and pulled together as to not attract sexual predators (yeah, I know).

I finally make it to the home stretch, off the main road and onto the steep tree-lined street of super-vintage apartment buildings that are all at once grand, quaint and bursting with class. I can see my car.

I can also see a man out for a stroll (?!!) In the lovely weather, wearing levis, a hoodie and sneakers. The juxtaposition of attire is ripe for romantic comedy.

“Excuse me!” he calls.

I give him the “you’re seriously talking to me right now?!” look.

“Excuse me, Miss, I have a question.”

I thought this might be an opportunity to either serve my fellow men or participate in some sort of market research/focus group. Coming from a wedding, I should be in the mood for that kind of happy thing.

So I keep giving him the look, but pause.

“What would you say if a total stranger asked for your number?” he asked.

“I would say no thanks,” I replied, scampering off to my vehicle and sinking into the driver’s seat.

And then I found $5.