My friend Lucie

Two online writing friends meet for lunch.

Back in 2002, I was a part of and active at another writing website called Thestarlitecafe.com.

I loved that site! The writers there were friendly, real, and helpful. If there were fakers/scammers waiting there, I never noticed. I posted dozens of humorous stories and poetry. I was impressed by how kind and caring the writers there really were.

In late 2004 I read, and reviewed a number of poems written by someone called peanut. I wasn't aware of this writer as being male or female, I just knew i liked these writes. The profile picture used by peanut was a sunset. I took a chance and asked this writer, who was a female named Lucie, for a photograph. She surprised me by sending me an email photo of her with her seven children and husband!

Lucie told me she was writing a book of a horrible experience that had occurred when she was just sixteen years old. She'd been manipulated, intimidated, and taken advantage of by her uncle! He'd had sex with her several times. She was too afraid to say anything since somehow her uncle convinced Lucie it was her fault. Lucie was a shy and innocent looking girl.

Lucie shared this chapter book with me for a few months and she mentioned she was getting counselling as well. I agreed to provide feedback on her punctuation and writing style.

Lucie and I continued with our friendship over the next few years. We would message each other right at the site and always give each other helpful feedback and encouragement.

After we'd known each other for about three years I asked if she would be interested in meeting for lunch in her home city. I knew it would be a long drive for me of about five hours, but I just wanted to actually see someone in person who I'd only known online . She said she would get back to me on that. I assumed she wasn't interested in meeting. To my surprise, the next day Lucie asked about us indeed meeting for lunch! I was pleasantly surprised and said I'd be happy to meet her at a restaurant of her choosing in her hometown. I told her of the longer drive i would have and how drowsy I might get, so Lucie suggested we take a hike around her town after eating together.

I said, "Do you think you could keep up with me? I walk fast!"

She responded, "Bring it on!"

I was surprised yet delighted by her attitude. During this time I had decided that Lucie was a busy, working, mother of a large family so this was a friend's only type of lunch date. I believed that Lucie was a shy, timid, petite woman who likely resembled someone who could easily be controlled by others. I was in for an education.

We met at noon on a Thursday on her hometown at the quiet Perkins type of restaurant. When I pulled into the parking lot a few minutes early I saw a woman who looked a lot like Lucie getting out of her minivan. She was wearing a shorter skirt with a brown top. I was pleased to see her since I didn't have her phone number so if she would have canceled I would have been pretty disappointed since I'd been driving from so far away.

I went into the restaurant and right away found Lucie sitting at a larger table in the middle of the restaurant. I started to think maybe this was all a big mistake since this trip was going to take all day to really only spend an hour or so with a shy, quiet woman.

To my surprise, as I looked over at Lucie I was not seeing the timid person who I knew online. Lucie looked beautiful! She was much more attractive in person than what I had expected. She looked gorgeous in her tight form-fitting blouse and her short skirt.
Her manner with me was familiar and sweet. Her smile was enticing. I started to tell myself to relax and chill since Lucie is a married mother of seven after all.

After we finished a pleasant lunch together Lucie asked with a sweet smile if I wanted to go for a hike around town. "Are you up for that?"

I responded, "I'm up for anything."

Lucie responded with a long, lingering amused expression.

Lucie and I started by driving separately over to the main shopping area of her hometown. We decided to walk through several stores and to look throughout a gardening store nearby. On an impulse, I decided to buy Lucie a dozen yellow roses. She protested a bit but I insisted.

After a while we walked toward a pedestrian crossing and for whatever reason I reached out for Lucies hand as we were crossing. Surprisingly, Lucie pushed my hand away and said, "We can't do that." This disapponted and embarrassed me as I wasn't expecting that. A few minutes later as we were walking to our cars Lucie held my hand for a moment and apologized. "I didn't mean that." She said softly.

When we got to her van Lucie very slowly and methodically arranged her yellow roses and carefully placed them in her van. There was a large empty area in her van and she climbed in and rearranged everything in the van. I felt awkward since I knew I needed to start my long drive home, but seeing a lovely woman in a short skirt climbing around in the back of her van was interesting to say the very least.

After another moment I mentioned I needed to get going. Lucie appeared sad and didn't make eye contact. I said, "I'd like a hug before I go."

"You'll get that for sure." She responded still looking forlorn.

After a nice hug I noticed Lucie looked disappointed. As I walked away, I saw that she had thrown her arms in the air toward me as if to say, "What the hell?"

On the drive home I felt guilty that I was feeling such an unexpected strong attraction to a woman who I had previously thought of as being plain and timid. I kept thinking of what it would have felt like to kiss her before leaving.

The next day, I received a few messages from Lucie. I was surprised since I wasn't thinking I'd hear from her again. She was very chatty and apologized again for pushing my hand away. I asked, "Why did you do that?"

"I had to. I saw someone I knew looking at us. I don't want trouble at home."

"Ok. I'm glad to know that." I said

"Actually." Lucie continued. "I was hoping for more than a hug from you."

Those words appeared on my laptop and I felt like I was seeing things. I was shocked! I could never have imagined her responding that way. Is she kidding? My pulse was racing and my mouth went dry.

I finally replied, "You wanted more?"

She said to my amazement, "Why do you think I climbed into my van? I rearranged everything as i was hoping we could shut the door and really enjoy each other. I was feeling that from you the whole time. Weren't you."

"You wanted us to make love?"

"YES! Obviously I did."

"Oh my god. I had no idea. I wanted that too Lucie. I was mesmerized by you. I had no idea I would feel that way."

"Well." Lucie typed into Yahoo Messenger. "You blew it."

Author's Note

What do you think? Please limit any moral judgments here. It was just lunch after all.

Reviews

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

it's an interesting story about life's strange misadventures. the narrator is looking for connection, and maybe a bit of physical intimacy online and finds a chance. but in the end he hesitates and misses out on something. yet we understand the character's motivations well. he didn't want to be too forward, especially considering she was already married. this natural style of story-telling works as did the situational humour. i want to know more about this character and in what other ways he screwed things up.

[Ballpark Frank]

Thanks Ern! Nice thoughts.

[Throwing Romeo]

As a dyslexic reader and writer
I have to say this was pretty easy to read.
As a story goes ..The ending was perfect.
The handful of roses is kind of a test,
so was the top and skirt.
Thank's for the walk around the block
frank.

[Ballpark Frank]

Thank you so much Romeo! I greatly appreciate you reading and commenting. You're thoughts are encouraging and very helpful!

[Glenda]

My review: I think it's best to be up front. Take a chance. With all the changes in what is expected and not tolerated, the best thing is to be straight out.
If you think there may be some intimacy, tell her, "I'm renting a room so we can have some privacy."
She'll either be glad or say no. Either way, you won't have to wonder and you'll avoid going through a lot of turmoil.

[Ballpark Frank]

I agree. ❤️

[Glenda]

There's nothing wrong with getting a room for complete privacy. You both can plan your evening ahead and there's not the paralyzing wonder what are we going to do? Plus, you can split the bill just like a date going dutch. Friends do that.

[Şenay🥀]

Lol...you really were clueless when a woman throws hints.
The last sentence made me laugh.
A horrific experience she went through, such abuse will traumatize that person for life.
Did you meet her again after that?
Enjoyed your story very much, made me smile.
Thank you for sharing.

[Ballpark Frank]

Thank you my friend! I'm really happy you liked the story.
No. I never saw her again.

[Samuel Dickens]

Aw sh#t! Please don't be offended by this, but I feel a little better now, knowing there's another man in the world like me. Why couldn't they just hit us in the head with a skillet and order us to take our clothes off? You were cautious with Lucie--too cautious, but I understand you, man. This is a very good short story and I like it a lot.

[Ballpark Frank]

Thank you Immensely my friend. Your reviews mean a lot to me.