A Moment for You

Rita wasn’t looking for romance . . . but it found her when she began to live a more courageous life!

Rita circled the big university parking lot and finally squeezed into an open spot between an RV and minivan. She usually made careful note of row numbers, but today she was late for a lecture so she pressed the lock button on her car key and ran.

I’m always late, she thought. Working full-time and studying for a degree in library science was overwhelming. Now that she was in her thirties, most of her friends were married, and she hadn’t had a date in forever. Her mother was always saying that someone special would come into her life when she least expected it. Rita had doubts.

Sitting at a table in the English department was Mike Nolan, signing copies of his book, Living the Courageous Life. Courage was something Rita needed more of, and his lecture was inspiring. But after it was over, she was reluctant to join the crowd of admirers because dusk had fallen, and she didn’t remember exactly where she had parked.

As she was about to make her exit, the author broke up the group and headed her way. Rita viewed his long loping stride and the shag of dark hair that swept across his brow. Gosh, he was cute.

He glanced at her name tag. “Rita, you look a little lost.”

For a moment, she stared into his big brown eyes. “I’m not sure that I remember where I parked.”

He laughed, opening the exit door. “I’m afraid we may be in the same boat, but I’d be glad to help. Do you recall the general area?”

“Over there, I think,” Rita gestured as they walked out.

“Try the panic button on your keypad. Always works for me.”

“Oh, I never thought of that.” She pressed the button, and a car horn sounded.

“There you go,” he said. “Two rows over, I’d say.”

Mike pushed his own key fob, and another horn sounded. “Come on, I’m over in that direction, too.”

Rita wanted to tell him how much she’d enjoyed his lecture but feared her sincerity might sound more like gushing.

“How’d you like the lecture?” he asked as if reading her mind.

“It was awesome. Especially the part about stepping out into thin air and expecting the ground to form beneath my feet! I love that analogy.”

“It’s what we have to do sometimes. Otherwise, life will pass us by.”

She nodded. “I’m sorry I missed the first part of your lecture. I couldn’t leave work early enough to get here on time.” “And your work is?” “Librarian,” she said. “I mean, I work at the library. I’m not a librarian yet. I’m still working on my degree.”

“And what do you do for fun, Rita?” He smiled at her encouragingly. “Actually, I’m a great cook.” “Oh.” He looked disappointed.

For a moment, she stared into his big brown eyes

“I guess you have a family then?” “No, it’s just me.” “Yeah, me, too,” he said. From his book, she knew he’d been widowed for several years.

They walked on until she found her car.

“Thanks for your help,” she said. “I really did enjoy the talk.”

“I appreciate that,” he said. “We may see each other again, you know. I’m taking up a professorship at the university.”

“Wow!” Rita said. “I think you’ll like it here.”

“I intend to love it. But right now, I’m starving and will have to eat dinner alone.”

If she’d learned anything from his book, it was to be a little daring. “Want some company?”

“I was hoping you’d say that. Know a quiet place where two bookish people could talk?”

“The Trapezaria—it’s a wonderful little Greek restaurant.” “Sounds good So, can I follow you?” he asked.

“Sure. Where’s your car?”

“Right beside yours,” he said, pointing to the minivan.

After dinner, they exchanged numbers. Rita offered to show him around town.

“See you on Saturday,” he said, as he accompanied Rita to her car.

Her heart swelled as she headed home, and she decided her mother was right. Good things really do occur when least expected. But a little extra courage didn’t hurt either!