Exit Door

/ roughwighting

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:S.Emergencia.pngOnce 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. Pixabay, paulbr75, yacht, introvert

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.

conversation, dialogueI 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.

110 thoughts on “Exit Door”

  13. 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? 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

    • 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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  17. 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.

    Liked by 3 people

    • 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. 💜

      Liked by 1 person

  18. 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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  23. 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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  25. 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.

    Liked by 2 people

    • 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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    • 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. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • 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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  34. 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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  36. 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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  38. 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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    • 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. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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  47. 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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