Just What You Have Been Waiting For

Well, I have redoubtably left you in suspense a little too long. (Although I am sure none of you were losing sleep over my un-updated blog.)

When we last left our hero, the beautiful Denise was definitely not holding her breath for any confirmation that she truly did have a date to the big Valentines ball.

But let's back up for a minute. I was greeted last Thursday morning with a pounding headache and a voice at least two octaves below normal. So when later that night I finally got my confirmation phone call, I had an even deeper voice and absolutely no enthusiasm to attend any dance. Mr. Literacy said he was planning on cooking me dinner and had a few other surprises lined up.

If I thought I was feeling bad on Thursday, Friday was even worse. Pale, fevered, and unable to breathe, I put together some sort of formal wear for the big date. Jenny pleaded with me to call and cancel, but I feared it was too late for that, and gussied myself up as much as the situation would allow, straight hair, sparse makeup and all. I was never more happy that there aren't any photos to document the evening.

My date picked me up and we went back to his house where he told me dinner was taking a little longer than he thought. I tried to answer all of his many questions with more than a couple of raspy words. Finally, after an hour and only small remnants of a voice, we sat down to eat.

In front of me was roast chicken and vegetables. Although it was very apparent the the chicken was no where near to done, and when I forked the vegetables they made an audible crunch indicating their rawness. I silently prayed that I wouldn't get food poisoning, covered my meal in gravy and ate as little as I could get away with.

After dinner my date announced that we would be attending "The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button" as our pre-dance activity. Yes, that meant a three hour movie, in a skirt.

Now on any other day, I might have enjoyed the movie more. But as the night wore on and my medication wore off, I watched the movie with eyes half closed, alternating between burning hot and freezing cold. About half way through the movie I left to catch a glimpse of myself in the florescent-ly lit bathroom, only to see a pale faced, straight haired, glassy eyed version of myself. I didn't know how I was going to make it through the rest of the movie, let alone the rest of the night.

But with no other alternative, and near tears, I went back to watch Brad Pitt finally become his normal beautiful self, and wonder how a movie really about nothing, got so many Oscar nominations. The movie ended and before I could make any real protest, I was whisked away to the main event, the dance.

By this time, four and a half hours into our adventure, I sadly fear I finally had enough and begged my date to enjoy the dance with out me by his side. From the sidelines I watched newly formed couples and awkward date choices dancing the night away. I conceded to one slow dance , although at this point I was completely out of any energy.

As the dance ended friends, acquaintances and even strangers were concerned about my well being and shouted homemade remedies to me. My date drove me home, I wished him good health and then proceeded to receive the longest hug of my life. No exaggeration, at least 30 seconds, which doesn't seem that long, but try and hug someone for that long. Good luck.

Anyways, apparently, from all reports, my date had a fantastic time and has been raving about our great night for days.

My secret prayer was answered and I escaped any food poisoning side effects. A week later, still battling the remnants of my cold, the night seems more like a strange dream than reality. And with no photographic evidence, I do wonder if it happened at all.

Good luck to us all. Better luck next year.

As Always,