Sample 2

Eh-em had dressed for this occasion, and he had a spiel memorized to increase his chances of getting help or money or something. He wanted to impress and looked elegantly presentable. Not far in the back of his mind was Natalie the woman, the one he found to be a true leader, a charismatic type, calm, assertive, competent, confident. Great in anything she wore. He was not disappointed today.

Natalie was dressed in a shabby lace cowgirl dress, if there is such a thing. Sleeveless denim top, white cotton skirt with lace at mid-calf, all in one piece with a brown leather belt and small brown leather buckle. The skirt itself was a light pink. It might have been a summer outfit made to look like days of yore, but no one yore ever wore something like this, and so nicely revealing. There were slits left and right to mid-thigh. The total look almost made Eh-em lose his balance, and from that point he forgot his prepared remarks and anything he had imagined they would say or try to accomplish during their business lunch. If a guy can look like a deer caught in the headlights about to stumble with mouth wide open speechless, well that was Eh-em. Natalie noticed and smiled a thin smile as she stood aside the open screen door and ushered him into her home with a wave of her arm. Their arms brushed as he passed by her, although he tried to edge past without touching. His face and neck became redder than red.

"Welcome."

Silence, and then, "Wow."

"That's all you've got to say?"

Eh-em was trying to recover. "You have a lot of artwork in here. A beautiful home." And that is how it went for minutes, inane comments of awe and appreciation from Eh-em and gracious demure and dutiful thanks from Natalie.

When they finished eating, Natalie turned to the task. "You suggested we have a business lunch. I did the lunch. Now it's your turn."

With this Eh-em talked in generalities for a few minutes and then began to narrow the focus. He was recalling points if not the wording of what he wanted to say.

Natalie interrupted. "What you're telling me is that you need help getting this thing off the ground. It's more than you had thought was involved when we last talked. And you want me to?"

She left the question hanging, and Eh-em again started to analyze her words to discern what she really meant. Finally, he re-entered the moment and admitted, "Exactly. I am quite overwhelmed. Could you, could you . . . "

"Paul. Relax. Take a deep breath. Did you enjoy your lunch?" The lioness was taking command and the juvenile needed distraction. Paul said that the lunch was divine, or some such rot and Natalie continued. "People are good at different things. And no one can do it all. No matter what we are talking about. Hardware is not your calling, is it, Paul?"

"No, it's not."

"What are you good at?"

It seems Eh-em had heard this question before, but he dismissed recalling exactly when. What was happening right now engaged and distracted him at the same time. There was no time for reflection. And given this orientation, what comes out spontaneously comes out. "I am good at escaping."

"Really? What are you escaping from? this time?"

"Parts of myself, I guess."

"Yes, we would all like to do that. But we know all that already."

"We?"

"People, Upton."

"How's that?"

"Well, you and I are not part of Upton. I came here and stay clear of Upton except to do some shopping and occasionally, only occasionally, have a bite to eat. But you came and connected with a few people, and word is you are called Mystery Man. No one knows you or where you come from. Same for me. You must know people talk. That about right?"

"Yes, about right."

"Well?"

"Well not much. I prefer to take people for who they are right now, not clutter my mind with what they say about themselves or what people say about them. Start from now and proceed."

"But people don't usually do that. They want to know roots and proclivities and details. They also like to invent things," said Natalie with an inquiring look.

"I'm open. Ask me. Whenever people ask, I answer."

"Are you gay, for example?"