This guy has become a series contributor. He has sent about 4 different sets of prose. The interactions have largely been sweet but unremarkable. THEN I SAW HIM IN REAL LIFE.
This has happened to me many times throughout the years that I have been online dating in this mid-sized city, and it usually involves a good deal of awkwardness and avoiding eye contact. Although nowadays, it’s been happening less. Because, obviously.
So the other day, I was running by myself in the park near my neighborhood. I had just started my run down a path and spied this particular author walking towards me. His cute but slightly desperate reoccurring submissions mean his profile pic shows up again each time. Also, I could tell it was him because his hair is currently a deeply unnatural color (TEAL). Bless his very weird heart.
So he was walking towards me and I’m pretty sure we locked eyes for half a second. But like the skittish coward that I am though, I made a sharp left on a different path allowing no time for recognition to process nor small-talk to take place. I just fucking bounced because NO THANK YOU.
Anyway, thank you TEAL HAIR for the commitment. A for effort. But this is a socially distant social experiment. And I plan to keep my distance. Thx.
Love in the Time of COVID 