Chapter 2

To say that Jerry Feller had a Plan B to find female companionship would be a misstatement. He was a determined individual and gave considerable thought as to how he could meet and develop a relationship with a woman. He surfed the net looking for suggestions on how to meet single women in the vicinity where he lived.

That proved to be somewhat of a fruitless endeavor. Jerry did find dating and virtual speed dating services, but neither of these dating methods appealed to him. He would continue looking with the hope he would find someone to date. If he did find a woman, that could lead to developing an enjoyable and satisfying relationship.

When Jerry was visiting his parents, they told him that Caroline had become engaged. She was one of his former dance instructors. Looking out the window, Jerry noticed Caroline sitting on the neighbor’s patio. He assumed that she was like him and was visiting her parents. He walked over to congratulate her on her engagement.

Caroline warmly greeted Jerry, and they talked about what was going on in their lives. She said she was working as an HR assistant for a large corporation. She asked Jerry who he was working for. He told her he was the sales representative for Bifty Athletic Shoes for the State of Indiana. Caroline seemed impressed hearing that and said she owned two pairs of those shoes. She also said she would invite him and his parents to her wedding.

That conversation with Caroline happened a few months ago. Her wedding was this Saturday. Jerry when he was talking to Caroline said he was still looking to find Ms. Right, but he has not had any success yet. Maybe Caroline would play matchmaker at her wedding was a passing thought he had.

The wedding ceremony was a typical one, with Caroline looking beautiful and happy in her white strapless wedding gown. In the limited number of weddings Jerry had attended, he never saw any bride who looked unhappy. The bridal party consisted of four bridesmaids and their groomsmen escorts.

There was a large group of people at the reception, which was at the Gardens Banquet Hall. Jerry found his placement card and noticed the twenty-one tables for the guests. A quick multiplication by eight gave him an accurate count of how many people were at this reception. Besides his parents, Jerry knew a few people he kibitzed with during the cocktail hour.

At his assigned table, he saw there were a total of four ladies and four men. All of these people were close to the same age as Jerry. It turned out this grouping was one of two couples and four singles. One of the single ladies was attractive and introduced herself as Amy Halper. She led the conversation and asked what everyone did for a living. The other three men at the table were highly educated, as there was an attorney, a pharmacist, and a structural engineer.

When Amy asked Jerry what he did for a living, he just said he was a shoe salesman, which somewhat downplayed his position. It seemed to be a disappointment for Amy to hear him say this with the reaction he saw on her face.

The reception followed the usual format of comments from the MC, followed by speeches from the fathers, well-wishers, and a few toasts. The first dance after dinner was for the bride and groom, followed by their parents, and a short time later, the dance floor opened to all the guests. Six people from Jerry’s table rose and went to the dance floor.

Jerry asked Amy to dance.

Amy responded, “Thanks for asking, but I am going to the bar and get another drink.”

He could not help but think that Amy thought it was beneath her to dance with a shoe salesman. Her refusal had him as the only one sitting at the table watching the people dancing. Caroline, who was on the dance floor, gave Jerry a little wave. He responded by giving her a thumbs-up gesture.

The DJ played several songs. In between songs, Jerry noticed Caroline talking to the DJ. She left the DJ and walked to where Jerry was sitting. She extended her hand to him, causing him to stand.

“Okay big fellow, it is showtime. Let me see if you remember what we taught you,” and led him to the dance floor.

The DJ played the song “Shout” by the Isley Brothers. Caroline and Jerry started dancing and it did turn out to be showtime. Jerry did all he could in dancing to this fast-tempo song. He did all the dance moves Caroline and her friends had taught him and a few dancing moves he had developed over the years. The other dancers on the floor stopped dancing, and they and the guests sitting at the tables, watched Caroline and Jerry dancing. About halfway through the song, Jerry’s two other dance instructors who were bridesmaids, came onto the dance floor and joined in the dancing.

It was a long but enjoyable four minutes of dancing. When the song ended, they received a round of applause.

Jerry kissed Caroline on the cheek and said, “Thanks.”

Caroline told him he was an excellent student who had progressed in his dancing ability. She also said she had enjoyed doing this dancing, as it brought back memories of good times.

Back at his table, Jerry was picking up his glass when he heard Amy ask, “Can I have the next dance?”

“Thanks for asking, but I am going to the bar to get myself a drink.”

As he walked away, he thought that in refusing her request, he had given it right back to her for being a snob.

After getting a drink, he sat with his parents at their table. Both his mother and his father complimented him on his dancing ability. They said they did not know he had that talent. While they were talking to him, Jerry noticed Amy talking to Caroline. He wondered if Caroline was telling Amy, that Jerry was more than just a shoe salesman. The looks Amy was giving to where Jerry was sitting, he thought that it could be the case.