BoldUlysses.com

I’m glad I was at the Gazette on Monday. Susan was there, and she became my confidant for the day as we both slogged through the 16-page issue. My mind was working overdrive already trying to arrange everything in the issue, so when downtime did come (we did have a few moments), my mind didn’t take the hint and step down the pace, but continued thinking about anything and everything. So it was good to have Susan there to be able to talk it out.

She actually became more than just a confidant, though–I told her what I knew about Sarah (the girl I had had an IM conversation with the day before), that she taught math and coached cross-country at a nearby high school, and as it turned out, Susan, who lives in the same town where the high school is located, is next door neighbor to a elementary school teacher who happens to be one of these people who just knows everyone in the county, to one degree or another. Susan said she would contact her friend, see if she knew Sarah, and have her discreetly inquire as to whether Sarah was dating anyone. I didn’t think Susan would actually do it, but I wasn’t about to complain if she did. Here’s a transcript of the email conversations that have ensued over the past few days:

From: Susan
To: Matt
Date: Tuesday, October 5, 2004 10:33 AM

Hey, just thought you’d like to know that my friend Debby is on the case. She knows Sarah’s mom — thinks the world of her — and is going to find out discreetly if Sarah’s dating anyone. She knows she’s not engaged or married. She did remark that Sarah’s “a knock out,” so your good taste is affirmed!

Then she said if that doesn’t work out, there’s a new teacher at her school, 25, who is “to die for.”

I told you, she knows everyone in Apex.

—

From: Matt
To: Susan
Date: Tuesday, October 05, 2004 10:55 AM

hahaha

That made my morning :) Thanks Susan.

I feel like I should get Debby something to thank her. What would you suggest? I mean, what’s appropriate as a thank-you gift for snooping around discreetly? :)

—

From: Susan
To: Matt
Date: Tuesday, October 5, 2004 11:05 AM

Hmmmm, a pelican? (a la Deep Throat)

Debby and Tom, our across-the-street neighbors, have a tall, beautiful, graceful daughter Danielle who’s a senior at Apex High. Danielle does not smoke, drink or do drugs, and she’s had only one date. People think she’s a snob or painfully shy. She’s neither, just doesn’t stoop to be average. So Debby understands very well how hard it can be to make connections in a world where most people strive to be part of the herd. Therefore, no thanks are necessary, and besides, Deb lives for this kind of thing!

—

From: Susan
To: Matt
Date: Tuesday, October 5, 2004 6:49 PM

Hey, just heard back from Debby with the scoop:

“She’s definitely not dating anyone seriously,” she said, and she doesn’t think she’s dating anybody right now. And “what she’s looking for is a really, really strong Christian.”

Sound like anyone you know?

(Debby said she has a really good feeling about this, I guess because it’s such a perfect coincidence that I would ask her and she would be able to find out so easily — and that she knows the family, too.)

What do you think? Might Sarah be the one you want to pursue?!

—

From: Matt
To: Susan
Date: Wednesday, October 6, 2004 9:02 AM

Thanks for the report, haha. That’s good to hear (in a Sarah-as-possibility sense, at least).

I have good news as well. I IMed her last night again, asking (as planned) about a training location for the race [editor’s note: I’m training for a half-marathon], and she offered a couple of suggestions, but the question mainly precipitated a whole conversation about running, competitiveness, etc, which seemed to go very well. I didn’t ask her to join me on a run; however, I did invite her to a theology discussion group that I attend on Wednesday nights (she seemed to really enjoy “debating” particulars like that in the small group with both attended back in the day), and she expressed interest in attending. Thing is, she participates in a Bible study led by her pastor in Apex on Wednesday nights, something to which she invited me. So the standing agreement we reached is that if either of our respective groups are canceled/not meeting on a given Wednesday, we’ll inquire about attending the other’s group. Throughout it all she was very personable and somewhat chatty, which surprised me given my memory of her matter-of-fact demeanor.

So where to go from here? I think I’m going to lay low for a few days, maybe have another casual conversation via IM without a particular agenda, and then eventually ask her if she wants to go for a run or some such. We’ll see. I think establishing at least a fledgling friendship base is important.

I’m going to pursue this. This girl intimidates the snot out of me, and if she agreed to go out with me it would absolutely blow my mind. But you know what I realized last night, thinking about it? Even if she rejects me, it doesn’t change who I am or my worth as a person. I’m secure in that. I’m eager to impress her in some capacity, sure, but I know who I am and that’s not going to change. So what I thought I had to risk/lose by pursuing this, I don’t really. That realization frees me up to go full-steam towards some semblance of a relationship. Dunno if that makes sense, but it’s not even 9 in the morning, so my brain… Yeah.

I’m optimistic about this. Please thank Debby for me! I can’t believe she found that out so easily.

Okay. Time to get started with the day. Talk to you soon! :)