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the time I was done with my
shower, I had decided against it. I felt sorry for Stacy, but I just didn’t see
what I could do.
    I
made my way back to my garage, and oddly enough, Scott was there too. We never
really ran into each other in the morning even though our garages were right
next to each other just like our homes, so it was a pleasant surprise.
    He
smiled at me when he saw me walking his way. It was a great way to start the
day.
    I
smiled back. “Good morning.”
    He
returned the greeting.
    I
began to punch in my garage code.
    “Do
you have any plans for tonight? They’re doing a movie in the park if you want
to go?” he asked.
    I
looked over at him. He still kept his distance, but he wasn’t as nervous as he
was the night before. “That sounds great.”
    “I’ll
come by around eight to get you?”
    “Perfect.”
    He
stepped a little closer. “Ava, have a good day.”
    I
stepped closer to him. “You too.”
    Then
we both went our separate ways, he in his black hybrid highlander, and me in my
gas-guzzling red jeep. Today was going to be a good day.
    I
don’t know why having someone pay attention to me made such a huge difference,
but it made my day so much better. I didn’t even mind when the drunken man
grabbed my butt, or when the five year old girl puked on me. Ok, maybe I minded
a little, but for some reason it was so much easier to deal with those
situations just knowing I had someone to talk to later that day, someone that
seemed genuinely interested in me. Even a couple of co-workers remarked to me
about my change. It made me feel like I should apologize for the last couple of
years. I’m sure I wasn’t the best person to work with, but I was going to
change that.
    I
got home early that evening and immediately jumped in the shower. Today had
been one of those days that I felt like I was germ infested at work. I scrubbed
every inch of my body vigorously and then I just sat on the bench and enjoyed
the warm water. Once out, I rifled through my wardrobe and was reminded that I
was in need of a shopping trip, but I found cute pair of white shorts and a
navy gingham button-up shirt. Paired together they showed off my figure quite
nicely. I took time with my hair and make-up. I wasn’t sure why, but I wanted
to feel pretty even though this wasn’t a date.
    I
had salad again for dinner, almost for spite. I also made big batches of
popcorn for the movie tonight. I made caramel popcorn and a batch of spicy
popcorn. I sealed them both up, then I retrieved a picnic basket that I was
given as a wedding gift. It never got much use, at least not as much as I
wanted it to have, but this was to new beginnings. I placed the bowls of
popcorn in it along with some bottles of water. I also got out an old quilt my meemaw
had made me when I was younger, and as an afterthought, I threw in some bug
repellant. About that time, Scott knocked on my door.
    I
opened the door with the basket and quilt in hand. He stood there looking very
handsome in plaid shorts and a dark blue t-shirt that fit him quite nicely. I’m
not sure I had ever tried to be friends with someone of the opposite sex that I
was attracted to, but I liked the view for sure.
    “Hi,”
I said.
    “Ava.”
There was just something about the way he said my name and looked at me that I
liked.
    He
looked down at my hands. “What’s all this?”
    “Um,
aren’t we watching a movie in the park?”
    He
shook his head yes.
    “I
thought it would be nice to have something to sit on and snack on.”
    He
smiled. “I guess I didn’t think about that.” He reached to take the items out
of my hand. He really was quite gentlemanly. He looked me over one more time. “Are
you ready?”
    I
smiled. “Yes.”
    We
were once again walking. I had a feeling he liked to walk when he could. He
once again kept his distance as we walked. I told him about my day of vomiting
and sexual harassment.
    He
gave me a concerned look when I told him of my drunken encounter. “Are