Joss has her mind set to meet her online friend. But first she has to run it past Taylor and "Conrad". Talk about having to clear some hurdles! The good news is that they will meet.
Cupid
Joss stood in front of the full length mirror and held the dress against her body. Turning to the left and then the right, she posed in hope that it was what she wanted for the big meeting.
"Nope," she muttered and threw the dress on the bed with the rest of the pile. Reaching into the closet, she pulled another dress off the rack. Tilting her head, she bit her lip.
"Maybe." She put the dress over the back of the chair.
"Mom?" Taylor's voice called from downstairs.
"Up here," she answered and grabbed a pair of slacks and a satin blouse. "Maybe I should wear slack," she considered the option.
"Hey!" Taylor appeared in the doorway. Eyebrows raised, he looked at the pile of clothes on the Queen sized bed. "Are you getting ready to have a yard sale?" he wondered.
"No." Joss sighed and threw the clothes to join the rest. "I can't figure out what to wear."
Taylor smiled. "Why? You got a hot date or something?"
Joss turned to look at her son. "Uh...Taylor...I need to ask you a question."
He gave a shrug. "Sure."
"What would you say if I told you that I joined a dating site?"
"You? A dating site?" he gave a laugh. "A little desperate, Mom?"
"Not funny, T." Joss reached for a hanger. Taylor laid his hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Mom. I made a bad joke. Seriously, though, you joined a dating site?"
Joss sighed and slumped her shoulders. "Yeah, I did."
Taylor glanced at the bed. "And from the amount of clothes on your bed, you are going out on a date?" he guessed.
"Not exactly. We haven't met," she confessed and braced herself for an accusatory retort.
"You haven't met, but you're going on a date?"
"I – he and I," she corrected quickly, "we've been chatting on line...the past few days."
"So, that is what all the typing from your room has been?"
"Yes." She watched Taylor carefully for any sign that he might not be accepting of her desire to have a life. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know, Mom," he answered truthfully. "I like that you are taking the initiative and trying to get out and have fun."
"But?" she prompted for him to continue.
"I keep thinking about all the things you've told me about going on line and meeting people. How do you know that this guy is who he is? He might be one of those sadistic killers from Craig's List or something."
"I'm aware of the consequences."
"Are you really that hard up?"
Joss' eye narrowed. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Taylor shrugged in the typical way teenagers do when confronted.
"Why else would you be meeting a total stranger in the middle of nowhere unless you want to have a fling with no strings?" he stated, but his eyes were unable to meet Joss'.
Joss felt her anger begin to boil. "Excuse me, young man, but just because I want to meet someone doesn't mean that I am going to bed with him," she stated hotly and grabbed a few of the clothes. Angrily, she slapped them on the rod in the closet. An awkward and uncomfortable silence filled the room.
Tears filled her eyes and she vowed not to let emotions control her. After all, wasn't it her idea to ask Taylor for his input? What other conclusion did she expect when she told him that she was meeting a stranger she friended on line?
Not that I was going to put out on the first date, she fumed and blindly reached for more hangers. She was stopped by Taylor's hand closing over hers.
"Mom, I'm sorry."
"That hurt, Taylor," her voice quavered.
"I'm sorry. I should have thought before I spoke. But I'm worried, Mom. What if he wants to meet at some isolated place in the middle of nowhere?" Taylor asked. His eyes were full of concern.
Joss reached out and cupped Taylor's cheek lovingly. "That's not going to happen. I'm not meeting him in an isolated place. Plus, I'll be armed," she added for effect. Her smile tried to reassure him that she knew exactly what she was doing.
Taylor nodded. "I guess that will be okay. When are you going to meet him?"
"I haven't asked him yet. I wanted to run the idea by you before doing anything."
"You wanted my say?" Taylor was impressed to be included in his mother's personal life.
"Yes. It is a decision that affects you, so I wanted to get your opinion. If you don't want me to go, I'll understand."
"No. You go, Mom. If you like him and trust him, then I'm okay with it. Want me to with you?"
Joss gave a little laugh. "Thanks for the offer, T, but I'm sure I can handle it. It's only coffee. Besides, I'm sure you have better things to do than guard me."
"Studying for mid-term exams."
"Looks like I'm the one who lucked out."
"You're crazy, Mom."
Joss patted his cheek and leaned in to give him a quick kiss. "That's why you love me. For your information, we'll be meeting at Ost at eight. I should be home by ten. If I'm not, you and Detective Fusco may come to rescue me. Deal?"
"Yeah. Deal." Taylor looked at the pile and pulled out a soft purple coloured dress with silver stripes. "I think you should wear this. Even if he turns out to be a frog, you might as well look good," he suggested.
Joss held the dress up. "Thanks."
****
I think we should meet, Joss typed without any hesitation the moment the computer let her know Conrad was on line.
Meet? As in person to person?
That's the idea.
Why?
Why would I want to meet you?
Yes.
Because I like you – or rather the person you are on line, and I think we should meet for coffee. You know, get to know one another.
How do you know that you'll like what you see when or if we meet?
I don't know, but you can't be any different than the person I've been chatting with the past week. If truth be known, I'm afraid that you might not like what you meet.
Impossible.
Well, we won't know until we do meet. So...do you want to meet?
If I say yes?
I'm happy.
And where would you like for this meeting to take place?
Tomorrow night. There is a cafe called Ost. Are you familiar with it? The one on 12th?
Joss hit ENTER and waited.
[Conrad is typing...]
I'm familiar with it. What time?
Eight?
Eight is good.
We'll have dinner there.
Dinner?
My treat since I'm asking you out.
How will I know it's you?
I'll be wearing a purple and silver dress and I'll be reading a book. You won't be able to miss me.
If you look anything like you type, I'm sure that I can't miss you.
LOL. You are really laying it on thick. :)
Maybe. Are you sure of this?
Very. I really want to meet you and get to know you.
Me too. I only hope that you aren't disappointed.
That's never going to happen. See you tomorrow night.
See you. Good night, Maggie.
Good night, Conrad.
