The Natural

He browsed through her pictures once again, the third time today, trying to decide. She was young, quite a bit younger actually, but she did say that she was looking for an older guy, and she’d winked at him, so, maybe, he thought.

Hi. I’m Joe. I’m a bit older than you, haha, but you did say, and then he paused. Purple hair. She was cute, no doubt, reasonably slender with nice breasts from what he could see. She had a degree in art history, liked to paint, go hiking with her dog, and said she was mostly a nerd, watched streaming shows, and for more info, contact her. Joe continued.

I’m kind of a nerd myself. Like to play video games, but I’m not all that good at them except Skyrim, where I rule! I like your pics, and I’m a professor of art history here at Columbia. Perhaps our first date could be at an art show? Write back if you have any interest.

Joe hit the send button, closed the browser window, and went off to work. Later that evening, he pulled up the site and the message icon was blinking. He checked and it was CozmicPlay; her. He opened the message.

Hi Joe. I’m Jenn. You are an old f-- just kidding! :) I see you like animals, so that’s a point for you, and art history, well, I’ll give you three points for that. But you need five points for a date with me, so I’m sorry, but--oh, wait, a date at an art show? Fifth point! There’s an exhibit opening Friday night at the Whitney called The Nascent Aurum, you up for it? If so, I’ll meet you there at 8 pm. Look for the cute girl with the unusual hair color!

Joe quickly replied, I’ll see you at 8. Don’t be late young lady! Now he had three days to wait and he knew that time would go very, very slowly.

When Friday arrived, Joe was there at 7:40, waiting outside, looking around for a flash of purple. After about fifteen minutes and thinking maybe she’d be a no-show, fingers tapped his shoulder from behind. Spinning around, he saw a smiling young woman with bright fire-engine-red hair.

“Ah, Jenn?” he sputtered. She scrunched her face a bit, still smiling, and replied, “Dumb question, minus one point, but you’re more handsome than in your pictures, plus two points. Wanna go inside?” Her smile was infectious.

Two hours later they exited, both excited about the exhibit and all of the small talk intermixed. “That was incredible,” said Jenn, “I had no idea that gold could be used in so many different ways, and to put it into photos, paintings, sculptures, and more, just wow!” Joe smiled at her exuberance and noticed, sneaking a glance at her chest, that she was truly excited.

“Walk me home?” she asked, slipping her arm into his. They continued the small talk, about his teachings, about her job and hopes for the future, about whales, global warming, and whether the Mets would ever again get into the World Series until she said “Well, this is me.” Jenn stood on her tippy-toes and kissed Joe on the lips, sensual, but brief. “Thank you for a wonderful evening,” she said, turning and walking up the steps to her row home, “text me!”