The Queen Anne branch of the Seattle Public Library resembled a large grey stone church with stained glass windows. And inside it was just as amazing. But she wasn't at the library to pour through the romance section the way she usually did.
She went straight to the computers, almost squealing with glee when she found that one was available. She could have used the computer at home, but she didn't want Frasier or Martin to know the real reason she'd come to the library; to find out as much as she possibly could about Mark Stratton. She could only imagine the ridicule that she would receive from Roz. Oh, Roz would have an absolute field day with the news of "Daphne's crush on the Seahawks quarterback".
Sure it was silly. Daphne was quite a bit older than Mark Stratton, who looked as though he hadn't been out of college for long. But nothing could come of it anyway, so what was the harm in swooning over him?
Once she'd logged into the computer, she did a quick search on Google: Mark Stratton Quarterback Seattle Seahawks.
Instantly the small screen displayed hundreds of images of the handsome football player. Some of them were recent; some of them were from his college days at a prominent college in Texas that she was surprised she recognized the name of. Most likely it was from catching glimpses over Martin's shoulder whenever he was watching a college basketball or football game on Saturdays, while sitting in his favorite chair. Now she wished that she'd paid more attention to those games; particularly the football games.
Even in college, Mark Stratton was extremely handsome.
As she searched through the pictures, she was delighted to find that the Seattle Seahawks had their own website. And when she found the site and clicked on Mark's picture, the result was a goldmine of information, including his birthplace, hometown, and countless other facts. According to the website, Mark had been playing football for a very long time; since he was very young. He was taught by his father, who was also a football player and had played for the New York Giants many years ago. When she read that the elder Mr. Stratton (Frank) had passed away recently (it hasn't quite been six months yet), her heart went out to the Seahawks quarterback and she found herself wiping away tears. He and his father looked as though they'd been very close. She couldn't imagine losing her father so suddenly. There was a quote from Mark that said that he'd worked through his grief by putting his heart and soul into his football career. And it had brought him much success. She knew that his father must be very proud of him, smiling down from heaven.
Once she'd collected herself, she removed the notebook and pen that she'd put in her purse. She wrote furiously, writing down every piece of information on Mark Stratton that she could find. And she was determined to memorize each and every one.
Minutes later when she finished, she logged onto the computer and took her notebook and the pictures that she'd printed out. The picture of Mark and the things that she'd written about him in her notebook would forever be her secret.
As she drove to her next destination, her heart fluttered in her chest. She'd learned so much about him in the short time she'd been at the library, she felt like she knew him personally. At the thought, her heart beat faster.
Oh how wonderful it would be to meet Mark Stratton in person. It would be an absolute dream come true.
Her next stop was a shopping spree; one that was just for herself. She drove from store to store, buying almost everything in sight. And by the time she'd climbed into her car, she was completely exhausted, but happy. She couldn't wait to get home and put her purchases to use. And then she laughed out loud. For it was the craziest things she'd ever done.