Danny R. Cole. Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved
Having worked at the IRS for a couple of months, I decided to take advantage of the company's onsite cafeteria. So I stroll down to the spot, grab my tray and utensils, and proceed to make my well-thought-out lunch decision. Will I get the fried chicken, green beans, and mashed potatoes or….the veal? Coming from my culinary background of North Memphis. I've never had or heard of this! Veal? So with great anticipation and curiosity, I decided to order it. "I'll have the veal." As I inch closer and closer to the cashier, I just happen to look up and notice a very beautiful woman standing in front of me. So now my curiosity has peaked beyond the veal.
My attention has been captured, and my appetite is for something else now! So as my eyes proceeded to scan from the bottom of her feet, up towards the ankles, to the back of those long, beautiful, luscious legs, passing that apple bottom, to the top of her head, not stopping until I had taken it all in; the whole body. As I pretended not to be interested, every inch of me was now captivated by what I saw standing directly in front of me. My veal and I am pushing closer and closer to the person who would later become my best friend, my lover, and my spouse. So I took a deep breath, gathered my composure, formulated my thoughts, and came up with what I thought would be the most clever, cunning, smooth pickup line ever uttered in a cafeteria. Excuse me, my name is Danny, and I couldn't help but notice that you were eating alone, and I was wondering if you would like some company. This is what I said in my head. But what came out of my mouth was, "hey, I have some pants just like that, but they don't fit me as well." Then I turned and walked off, not waiting for a reply, not anticipating a response, and not knowing if I would receive a call from HR when I got back to my desk or not. We didn't have lunch together that day, and there was no call from HR, so I took that as a sign that someone else might've been interested as well …at first sight.
The next encounter:
After that encounter in the lunch line, I contemplated my next move. Should l be aggressive or play it extremely cool? Aggressive it is. Yes, I chose aggressive. After thoroughly searching the entire service center, I discovered that this gorgeous young lady worked in the data entry department, which was perfectly situated in the middle of the center. After realizing where the new object of my affection was, The route to my desk had conveniently now been altered. I made it my business to walk by her station every day. Days of pursuit turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. I asked for her number, no she said! I asked her to have lunch with me, no she said! But you keep chasing when you know someone or something is worth catching. Her no's only made me more determined. However, wherever we did have conversations, they were enjoyable, and I learned so much about her, her goals, and her plans which didn't include me at all. I knew she wanted to move to Texas, which didn't include me. She wanted to give her life to God, her family, and her church, which again didn't include me. This changed one FATEFUL day, bringing me to our next encounter.
One day while wandering the halls, from breakroom to breakroom, looking for my favorite candy, skittles, as I would often do. I remember it like it was yesterday. As I ventured further and further from my workstation, I turned into the last breakroom before you exited the building, onto the parking lot. This room was quiet, isolated, and practically empty; with one exception, I noticed this beautiful lady sitting, facing the wall, with her back towards the door (which where I'm from is a no-no), head down, eating from a box of Kentucky Fried Chicken. It was her! This was my chance; we were alone, and no one within miles. What will I do? What will I say? So I slowly walked up behind her and placed my hands over her eyes. She snarled, "this better not be one of my so-called friends who have left me for lunch"! I removed my hands, came around the table so she could see me, and noticed the un-wipeable smile on my face. "Oh, it's you," she replied, "what are you doing all the way down here"? "I came to find some skittles." "You came all the way down here for skittles"? Yes. "I'll go a long way for something I want, even to Texas." As I turned to walk away, I noticed a smile and a hint of curiosity in her eyes. I knew then that she would be anticipating our next encounter.
Pastor Danny,
APMM President
*Please note: Love doesn't abuse. APMM does not condone any form of abuse (physically or emotionally). Please do not distort any of our teachings to justify abuse. If you are in an abusive situation, get out immediately and contact the authorities.
