Meeting That Special Someone, 2006, by Steven

From MemoryArchive

Who: Steven
What: First Date with Stephanie Carbone
When: Hollywood Video
Where: Summer 2006

I knew halfway through this summer that I was having the best summer of my life. I was really enjoying what I was doing. My weeks usually involved good food at home, a daily trip to the gym with my friend Sebastian, a few hours spent perusing through books at Barnes and Noble, video games, and finally a quiet movie at home. I didn't think life could get any better. I was wrong.

Towards the end of the summer there came a blessing in diguise. Sebastian got sick, and so ended our daily trips to the gym. It wasn't too serious; he just had mono and couldn't put any physical stress on his body.

We started renting the seasons of "Lost" to watch while he got better. Soon my entire family was hooked on it. This meant I was making several trips back and forth from the video store as we tore through episode after episode. Not that I'm complaining; this cute girl worked behind the counter and she "might" be flirting with me. I can never tell.

One day I had already gone to Hollywood Video twice on the same day, once to rent a disc for me and once for my mom. She looked down at the case I gave her and told me I had skipped one. She couldn't possibly watch disc 5 without watching 4 first. Clearly, I was going to have to make another trip.

This was just embarrassing. As I drove up, I prayed she wouldn't still be working. It was humiliating to walk into a video store three times in one day. Clearly, I had no life. If I could just explain that it wasn't my fault.

Sure enough, there she was. Beautiful as always, standing by the doors inside, arranging some movies on display.

"Hey there!" she said brightly. "You're back!"

"Yea, um, my mom- I got her the wrong disc..." I didn't know what to say. "You sure seem to work a lot," I said lamely.

"Yeah," she agreed. "You're here almost as much as I am! You should move in with me!"

"Ya, right" I mumbled, pushing past to get the right case. I checked out in silence, with the guy at the counter. The whole time I was just thinking about how I would have to pass her up as I walked out.

I swung around the side, grabbed the case and started to leave-

"So I guess I'll see you tomorrow?" she called after me.

I stopped.

"I doubt it," I said, with just a hint of a sneer. "I'm leaving for Ireland tomorrow." I felt satisfied to show her I had something somewhat more interesting than watching movies on my agenda.

"Oh," she said.

What expression was that? WHY couldnt I read it?! Was it surprised...interested? Could it possibly be disappointed? No. Maybe.

"Well, when are you coming back?" she finally asked.

"A couple weeks." I said, painfully aware that I was holding the door open and was halfway outside. I could feel the other guy's eyes on me from behind the register.

"Well have a good trip!" she said, flashing another one of her brilliant smiles.

I mumbled 'thanks' and darted out the door, taking deep breaths. Part of me wanted to go back in and talk to her. The other part knew I had yet to pack. I got back in my car and drove home thinking about her the whole way.

---

Ireland was fun as always. I talked to my parents regularly on the phone. Then one day during out regular conversation my mom said something surprising.

"Oh, this young girl was asking for you at the video store today."

"Really?" I said. "What did she say?"

"She recognized the last name on the account," she said. "She said she knows you! She asked when you were coming back. She seemed really nice. Her name was Stephanie."

Stephanie! So that was her name!

"Oh that's nice." I said, sounded disinterested. "Yeah, I think I remember her."

"Well anyways," my mom said, closing the subject. "You may want to pick her up something small while you're there."

"Ya maybe I'll look into it." I said

---

The next day my dad gave me a similar story.

"This cute girl at Hollywood asked about you today."

"Oh yeah?" I said carefully.

"Ya, at first I thought she was hitting on me. Understandable. I don't remember what she said, but she mentioned you. Anyways, just wanted to let you know."

I hung up the phone still thinking about her. Stephanie. Here I was, 5,000 miles away in a beautiful countryside most people dream of going and I was sitting alone, thinking about a girl I had talked to a handful of times. A girl who, for all I know, could have a boyfriend. That was it. Certain mental tortures were necessary in order to get something out of your head. I enjoyed the rest of my trip without giving her too much thought. Except...for that one time I picked up the nice silver necklace from that little souvenir shop in Galway. I'm sure she would like it. Well, maybe. It's worth taking just in case.

I came back and managed to keep myself busy greeting my friends and family. And the dogs of course (who missed me very much). After a couple days I couldn't take it anymore. I had to stop by and see her. I went by and took a deep breath before stepping in. The rest of my time in there is a bit hazy. I think I was suffering from lack of oxygen. I couldn't breathe.

All I know is I stumbled out 10 minutes later with a movie I didn't want to watch and a date.

God, I love the way she looks at me. There's a such a desperation and eagerness in her eyes. There's a pain mixed with hope.

---

In case you're wondering, the date went great. So great in fact, this weekend is our one month anniversary. She's a special girl, and I'm going to have to be a special guy to be worthy of her.

I care about you so much baby. Happy one month.

-Steven

---

"I love you.

Not only for what you are.

But for what I am

When I'm with you"

-Roy Croft