Once again, I wonder why I’m here, where the exit door is, and how quickly I can excuse myself. I know that Karen means well, but Karen is not the good friend she thinks she is. If she really knew me – Mandy Shepherd, the introvert – really cared about me, she’d keep me away from this kind of “meetngreet” fiasco.
I’ve been divorced for six years, and I can’t say they’ve been lonely years. But I’ve definitely been A Lone. But that’s me, a loner. I suppose Larry helped me in the 12 years we were married. Because of him, I met some spectacular people, like Hilary Clinton (cold fish, but her eyes are as sharp as broken glass); Michelle Obama (softer than seen on TV, and her eyes gleam like sapphires); and Tom Brady, too handsome for his own good as his wife clings to him like a gangling flower on a sycamore tree.
These meetups were at Boston fundraisers, luncheons on yachts, even a cocktail party on a private jet. I looked for the exit door at each venue and won’t tell you how close I came to opening the big door on the jet.
Yet here I am, dressed like a sequined queen of the middle-aged, highlighted gray hair blown dry to a straight bob, stomach squeezed into Spanx, and toes squished into heeled dress shoes I retrieved from my trash can.
“How many times are you going to search for it?” a husky, amused voice asked me.
I swiftly turned to see who was whispering in my ear. A man stood near me, obviously trying to look innocent, a small smile on his bearded face.
“Were you talking to me?” I asked.
His eyes lit with delight as he took a step closer. He was only a few inches taller than I, not surprising since in stockinged feet I measure 5 foot 10. “I was hoping you would respond, but it’s quite obvious you’re not interested in inane conversation, so I took a gamble,” he said.
I took one step back, surveying his casual attire: well-worn blue jeans, wrinkled dress shirt, boat shoes, and a smile that widened.
“Are you an inane or nane conversationalist?” I asked.
The man laughed with pleasure, took a step closer, and replied: “If we both escape this waste of social time, take the exit, and walk two blocks over to a wonderful café I know, I’d love to answer that question.
I wasted no time. I may be a loner, but I’m not adverse to good company.
Wonderful
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I like a little Rom-Com with my coffee/tea. 🙂
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You are a master of the short story. Well done!
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Since so many commented last week about being introverts, I thought it only fair to show the fun romantic side of introversion. 🙂
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Good luck with your family and the world.
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Nicely done, Pam! Enjoy the weekend. xo
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No yachting plans…ha… but a rainy one ahead so looking forward to some quiet reading. Ahhhh. May you have a great weekend also.
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Love it! Want to know more about that conversation though. 😃
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Thanks for finding me here – one introvert to another. 🙂 Hmmm, maybe this story needs to continue?
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I think it definitely can continue.. 😉
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Hi Pam, I am the same as your character about inane socializing. I hope she gets on with the chap.
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Yes, I feel the same as Mandy. Too bad there is not such word as “nane” socializing. 🙂 I just checked and NANE (Armenian: Նանե, Nanė) was an Armenian mother goddess, as well as the goddess of war and wisdom. Nothing inane about that!
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Haha, Pam, you have such a way with words.
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Excellent, Pam! I hope they have a good time at the café!😀
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I am imagining lots of sips of coffee and romantic meanderings at that café. 💗
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😀
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I liked it.
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Wait!!! Come back!!!! Tell more!!!!!
Well done. Channeling my Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise): “you had me at hello”. Cheers, Dee (fellow introvert)
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Smiling/ these are the days I like to delve into romcoms, keeping it light and fun with a bit of mystery in there. 🤓 Thanks for your fun comment, Dee.
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He sounds like the perfect one to escape with!
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I think you may be absolutely right Norah! I like the way your romantic mind thinks. 😍
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💖😉😊
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Cheers to a happy ending. 🙂 …. but only The Shadows knows what happens next.
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Welll, The Shadow and the writer . . . 😁
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Kindred spirits! Waiting for part two of this encounter. 🙂
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Part two may be too steamy for this G rated blog!? 🤭😏
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What a wonderful story, Pam! So, all I have to do is desperately look for the exit sign? Because, aside from the beard (don’t really dig on them), he sounds like someone I’d definitely want to have coffee and conversation with 😉
There will be a part two, right? Right? 🙂
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Oh dear. The pressure is on. I’m always worried that people will be disappointed with the part two of an interesting beginning. I do know that he’s not gonna shave off that beard for you though, Dale! ☺️
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Puh-leeze. You always come through! Nah… beards are not all awful 😉 I mostly don’t dig on the big-ass ZZ-top style 😉
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Thanks for the smiles to start my day Pam. You have a gift. I wish a woman would invade my hermit world. Of course, it might help if I left the house and went to any social functions!
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Just look for the exit sign when you get out there, Brad. There might be someone else racing for that door also! 😏
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Ha ha. I don’t need to worry about exits since I haven’t left the house! 😏
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Out? No mask? Party? Wow! Love romantic fantasy! We are still introverted in California. Ugh!
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Romantic fantasy strips off the masks and finds fun in the mystery of each other. Besides that, here in the Boston area if everyone is vaccinated masks are off. My guess is that this was an “only vaccinated” social party. 👍☺️
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New paths…Ah! All loners have those moments of going ahead. I like her decision Pam. Good one.
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I always love your comments, Balroop. Yes Mandy’s introversion is actually going to lead her on a new uncharted path! Xo
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Saved! I would consider myself an extrovert but as the decades have gone by these types of small talk gatherings have become more uncomfortable. Your writing always transports me into the scene and in this case I could feel her anxiety as she gazes for the escape door. a pleasant surprise not to have to leap out on her own.
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I love that you delve into my stories so willingly, Sue. I think there are a lot of women like Mandy out there. In this case, I hope that “the bearded one” is going to help her find new doors. 💜
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Your descriptions of Hilary, Michelle and Tom stunned me with metaphorical amazement. I was not as surprised that your heroine met someone “real” who wanted to be engaged at a deeper, rather than surface, level. ❤
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When I hit publish I thought briefly that hopefully no one would sue me for defamation of character. 😗Just my imagination, ma’am. But here’s to living a “real” life – so much more satisfying than a glamorous one. 🙏
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Great story, Pam! It put a big smile on my face. Cheers to happy endings for those of us always looking for the exit!
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Oh, I like the way you said that! To happy exits and happy returns. 💗
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Cute story. As an introvert I approve its message. Happy Memorial Day, Pam
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There is a lot to be said for staying away from a large group! To a quiet Memorial Day. 😃
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OOOOH! Even an introvert would love a little romance with a delectable fella with a great smile and twinkle in his eye. How fun that sounded. I’m all about the exits too.
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Hey Marlene, we (introverted) girls just wanna have fun! 😂
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Perfect!
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Xoxo
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Happy Memorial Day Pam! Loved your story thanks. I had to check the meaning of averse and adverse … but I’m not averse to either meaning. Introverts know how to keep an eye on the exit and how to have fun. They can surprise themselves ..
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Aha! I’m not sure that I’m sure about the difference between averse and adverse but I love that you noticed and looked it up! Thanks so much Susan. 👏🤓
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Always wanted a beard, but whiskers do not cooperate! Lovely tale, W/P!
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Unlike many women, I think a beard looks great on a man! But perhaps not after a certain age… 🥴 Sending out a hug Billy Ray. 💜
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Backatcha! Happy Weekend!
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Wow, Pam, this romantic story is loaded! It made me think of what I thought of Hilary and Michelle and other figures throughout the reading. Good luck with the cafe for her. She can always take one step at a time!!
Thank you so much for your review! I appreciated it greatly. I uploaded the reflowable ePub on Amazon. In fact, I like it and I read it on Kindle. Best wishes on the continued work of your new book. I’ll check out the ePub version.
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I have no idea how or why those three public figures came out in my story about Mandy but I couldn’t stop my pen so I hope they will forgive me. I’ll just say that Mandy made me write it. 😳 Many congrats on getting the new Kindle version out. When reading your book on the phone on my Kindle app, which I could do with your first format, I could see how difficult it would be to get the illustrations in the right place with the text. Oh the things we writers learn! 😏
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I usually go with how the pen flows, Pam. Sometimes I didn’t think of using certain words until my pen starts moving. I would delete certain things only if they contain premature thinking. I had my impression on Hilary as soon as Bill got elected.
The first format you read – I inserted the text into the illustrations. I love doing things in a precise manner. Yes, the things we writers do and learn! 🙂
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You made me anxious to find out what happens next.
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We authors like making our readers “anxious” about our characters and plot…. 🙂 THANKS. xo
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Another star-spangled edition of shimmering images. Do include it in the sequel to your “Flashes of Life”!
No Spanx for me. . . no high heels either. :- /
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Haven’t worn heels in many many years – and never stilettos! ;-0 Call me … flat-footed. And no no to Spanx as well. I want to BREATHE! But perhaps Mandy will figure that out sooner rather than later. 🙂
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Great job!!
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Don’t you love imagination? 🙂
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Yes, what would we do without it!
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Live a dull dull life!!
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Yes! And who would want that! 😉
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No one with an imagination! 🤓💜
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Love it! I have always preferred one-on-one conversations to large groups. I’m so happy to have left the world of Spanx and high heels way behind.
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Waaaay behind, Janis. And good news is that most of my daughter’s generation – in their 30s – seem to have left those female instruments of torture behind also. 🙂
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I am so glad I found some time to read your blog. It’s always so entertaining. I love it.
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Hi Gerlinde. Yay! So happy to see you here again. I see that your new website is up – it’s beautiful. I re-subscribed just in case – time for you to write a new post, my friend. 🙂 I’m glad you have time to read my blog as well. Happy Memorial Day Weekend.
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Good to start my day with a smile 😊
Beautiful story.
I am an extrovert who loves to be alone 😇
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Hi! Thanks for reading. You’re a friendly introvert and/or a quiet extrovert! 🙂
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😅🤗
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I enjoyed an introvert love story, Pam 🙂
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Thank you – so glad you enjoyed! ❤
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Coffee is a good start! Fun story.
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Or… a glass of white wine? 🙂
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Could this be…. the start to a new book? Great little story, Pam. Introverts aren’t antisocial. We just don’t like small talk. The cafe sounds wonderful, as does the mysterious gentleman. 🙂 Have a lovely weekend, my friend.
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I think your definition of introvert is the best one. Let’s talk large, none of that small gossipy stuff, please!
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Yes. I love that… “let’s talk large.” Wouldn’t that be something!
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“Are you an inane or nane conversationalist?” I need to remember that line!
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Tee hee. I love it when my characters come up with good lines… 🙂
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A very short story but oh so powerful. I love his approach and her decision to trust herself and go…I hope there will be a sequel to this. I can actually see a novel growing here.
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I hadn’t planned on continuing with these two… but we’ll see if they insist. 🙂 Thanks Cheryl. xo
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Good one, Pam – glad she got out of there and the guy sounds great, but oh, that Spanx!
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Ugh – Spanx is a bane and should not be in any woman’s dresser drawer…. But I guess many don’t agree. ;-0
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I don’t own any – too much IMO!
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As someone else who is A Lone, this story resonated right down to my Ugg boots [well, it is cold!] Isn’t it funny how the only time we ever feel lonely is in a crowd?
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I like how Mandy explains her A Lone time, and how she’s perfectly fine with it. I think many of us are, but I know many who shiver at the thought of not being in a crowd and “playing” on their off time. A different breed of animal, if you ask me. 🙂
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I agree. I simply don’t know how they do it.
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Ah, that moment when someone else is on the same wavelength. I could go for one of those moments right about now. (But you’ll never find me in a sequined gown.) Lovely!
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Smiling. The last time I wore a sequined gown was for my junior year of high school and the “Snow Ball.” I must admit, that silvery shiny dress made me feel glamorous. My date? Not so much. We were NOT on the same wavelength. 🙂
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That was an enjoyable read! I hope the two have amazing conversations and close the cafe down! Mona
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Thanks, Mona. Fun to meet these characters. 🙂
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You are such a wonderful writer, Pam. You always have me At. Every. Word.
This time was no exception.
Awesome!
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Thank you so much! I will admit I absolutely love writing. It fills my soul. Big hug to you!
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Wonderful! I love it ❤️
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I’m so glad you love this story. Thank you so much for stopping by here. Good luck with your blog!
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Thank you!
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Pingback: Exit Door – Tic
I enjoyed this story Pam. Sounds like she may not be a loner for long. One never knows! ❤
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Coming over from your other post, I love the buildup you did there. Love the imagery you used in your stories, like the gray hair, husky voice, casual attire and more. You really let the character of each person – and how they portray themselves on the outside to the world – shine through. Looking forward to reading more, Pam 🙂
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Thank you so much Mabel. Yes I always try to work on details in describing a character so the reader can get idea of who that character really is. You’re a great reader for noticing that!
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You are so kind, Pam. Thank you for bringing your characters to life. Always a pleasure to read your work 🙂
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Nice content dear, keep rocking!
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Very cool!
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Very good article!
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Nice Blog.
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Thank you!
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