A Slight Chance at Love
For Paula,
May your Tuesdays be enthusiastic and your love life be a fictional novel.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Mr. Gardner
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
I entered Room 2510 just like any other class, anxiously looking to find comfort in a vacant seat. I knew there was not much expected from a typical industrial chair at a lecture hall but I somehow managed to snuggle in. Langara had been dormant from overly crowded hallways the past two months and the atmosphere had been particularly chilly. Summer ended quicker than it came and September opened its doors wide open to the usual Vancouver temperature. The second floor definitely felt colder and traveling from one class to the other earlier that day only gave little warmth to my body. It was the first day of a long year and it was the last class of the first day.
I found my place on the third row amidst three others at the table; one to my left and two to my right. One of them I already knew from a previous semester. Ally was my constant reminder of never judging a book by its cover. She was smart, sweet, and kind with a body that was covered with multiple piercings and tattoos as if it was a well placed constellation. But she was, beyond doubt, beautiful. She had mentioned her son to me in vague conversations before but I was afraid to bring it up again. She, being a single-mom, was already enough for me to respect her deeply. Sasha was currently taking courses at three different institutes which none of where she resided and that was enough for me to know. Jamie did not give me much to work with other than introduced herself so quietly.
It was going to be for a long haul and getting familiar with the people that surrounded me was a personal goal. I did not want to be distracted by anything other than matters on a collegiate level let alone on a personal level. This was strictly a student business and getting to where I needed to be demanded that I focus on what was in front of me. It was the perfect situation in this room. Psychology 2400 Behavioural Research Method was as disinteresting as it sounded and I automatically glanced down to my Blackberry hoping to find something that engaged me. Nothing showed, be it a personal message or social media, nothing. I accepted fate that for the next two hours it was going to be just that: Psychology 2400 Behavioural Research Method.
“Well someone finally decided to show up.” Stated Sasha who frantically organized what stationary item she could possibly use.
Sensed that lecture was about to start, I peeked at my phone one more time during which the corner of my eye was fully aware that my supposed teacher was headed to the front of the class. I replied immediately to a couple messages before I was interrupted so gently, “Honey.”
Ally had hinted me of the presence ahead of us and I nodded as if she had taken me under her responsibility. Her motherly instinct unconsciously separated our six year difference exponentially. In her mid-twenties, she somehow had me feeling comfortable with that kind of mother-child relationship. I smiled to conclude our brief exchange and looked at the figure before us.
He had his back towards the class for some time; busied with reaching into his messenger bag and looking up at the plain analogical clock in careful interval sequence. I could not help but notice the significance of his stature. He stood probably over six feet on a good day. He seemed healthy and defined and it seemed almost unfair that his charcoal woollen cardigan had hidden a natural treasure. My imagination ran its course and my eyes gradually appreciated the rest of his attire. Everything was perfectly fitted all the way down to his dark brown moccasins.
What seemed like a complete runway show was actually within minutes and if that was not enough, I needed to see what he looked like. I begged in my mind for him to turn around yet natural forces decided to tease me with side views to judge on. A few seconds of that had given me ample time to see he sported a trendy front wave cut to compliment his dirty blonde hair and, as well, did not have enough time to groom his five o’clock shadow. I decided deducting points was not an option.
I was experiencing an overwhelming feeling of contentment as if he was mine for the taking. As well, that joy was equally balanced by guilt from the resentment of taking this course. Had I been careless with my schedule, this experience would have never happened and that would have been a bigger regret. In my utter disbelief, I almost certainly forgot what I had been there for and where in reality my body was. I looked at him with reasonable infatuation and I was sure others did too.
He finally faced us and without second thought his complete appearance met my expectations. I genuinely assumed he was nearing his late-thirties and that did not matter. Age, if it had mattered, had weighed heavily on the positive side. There was something about him that tugged on my insides and not just my heart. I have had my fair share of adolescent romance and this was not that. His sex-appeal was completely overshadowed by an aura of something better. Those eyes showed vulnerability, those slight wrinkles showed maturity and those lips…those lips. Aside from appearance, I know nothing of him yet I could almost put my trust on him. This took my emotions to another level and before it got worst I was saved by the vibrations of my phone. I did not bother to look but rather carefully calmed myself. My feelings subsided but the curiosity lingered. I wanted to know him.
He finally was ready to begin and cleared his throat as indication. His hands carefully picked up the pair of Tom Ford glasses that he placed hanging on the pocket of his dress shirt during his routine and put it on his beautiful face.
“Good evening.” He smiled, “My name’s Richard Gardner. You may call me Ric.”
