It was a Saturday as I entered the coin Laundromat with a basket of laundry. When I opened the door, I saw her – Penny. She stood there, by herself, putting wet laundry into a dryer. For so long, I'd tried to build up the courage to ask her out, but I always wimped out in the end. But today, it was going to be different. As I made my way over to her, I tried to stay calm. Cool and collected…that was it.
"Hi," I said when I reached her. Yes! I actually managed to say something! When she realized that I was speaking to her, she look up.
"Oh, hello," she said.
"Hey…you're Penny, right?" I asked. "From the 'Caring Hands' group?"
"You know about that?" she said, her expression lightening. "Yes, I'm Penny."
"Oh yeah…I love what your group is doing."
"Thanks. And what's your name?"
"Billy. Well…I just kept seeing you here, and I figured I'd say hello…"
"That's very nice."
"…And I was wondering if, maybe, you'd like to get some coffee with me. Or something."
For a few moments, she didn't say anything. She seemed to be deciding if she wanted to or not. "When?"
"Anytime is good."
"Hm…how about Saturday? You can come over to the 'Caring Hands' shelter. How 'bout 5:15?"
At that moment, I think my heart momentarily stopped. When it started beating again, I quickly said, "Definitely. Um…where is it?"
Penny laughed. "It's on the corner of Orchard and Spyglass."
"Great!" I'm going to have a date with Penny. I think I can hear a chorus of angels singing right now.
"So, where do you work?"
"Oh, me? I'm actually, uh, unemployed. Well, I'm trying to get into this job that I think is perfect for me. "
"I see. Well, it's good to do what you love."
"Yeah, definitely." It felt so weird, talking to her. For so long, I'd tried to have a conversation with her, and now it's actually happening. While she waited for her laundry to dry, we sat and talked about…anything, everything! Although I wished that she would never leave, soon her load was dry.
"Well, I guess I'll see you Saturday," she said with a smile as she collected her clothing.
"Yeah, I look forward to it," I said. Then she picked up her laundry basket and left, her beautiful red hair bouncing on her shoulders as she walked.
I felt as though I was floating, angels singing, music playing, even Bad Horse whinnying me on in support. But as I walked towards the washing machine to get out my clothes, everything seemed to fade away. When I reached the washing machine, nothing was left but me. And I opened the door.
Beep, beep, beeeeep.
I woke up and rolled over to hit the 'snooze' button.
"Aw man!"