A Good Little Girl Like You (A Sample)

Tuesday, September 25

Rebecca looked at the e-mail message and smiled. It

was from "HeartlessTinMan," and she was amused that he

had created the account just to talk to her.

From: HeartlessTinMan

To: Rebecca Moore

Subject: Movie night

-----------------------

Are you free tonight? It's my turn to take you

to dinner. Then come back for another Oz

movie. I've got everything from the recent

"Oz: The Great and Powerful" all the way

back to the silent movie, "Patchwork Girl of

Oz" (the only one that L. Frank Baum

actually worked on). "Patchwork" is a total

snooze fest, but it's something that no true

Oz fan should miss.

I really worried that it would be awkward

being with you and having my jaw wired

shut. But I have to say that it was great fun,

and I had a wonderful time. And, of course,

watching "The Wizard of Oz" was a special

treat, something that most of my friends

don't care much about. It's a real thrill to

watch it with a true devotee.

Anyway, since I'm food challenged, I propose

a soup restaurant, the appropriately named

"Liquid Lunch," on 28th Street, just a few

blocks from Dan's place. Meet me there,

tonight at 7:00.

Am I being too pushy and self-centered? I

know I do that, and I'm trying to repent. If

you prefer a different dinner choice, feel free

to make a suggestion (as long as they make

liquid meals).

I look forward to seeing you.

-- O.E.

Such a sweet note. Rebecca read the message again and

again, warming herself with his words. They were so sweet

that she momentarily forgot they came from the man who

boasted about everything yet actually had nothing. Was she

really falling for a homeless, unemployed man who couldn't

even afford dinner? Maybe.

Liquid Lunch was noisy, even where they were seated in

the farthest back booth. O.E. couldn't shout out his order

like everyone else so he raised his menu to the waiter and

pointed. When he tried to ask if the soup had solid pieces

in it, Rebecca had to intercede.

"My friend is recovering from jaw surgery and has his

mouth wired shut. He needs a purely liquid meal. Can you

make this one with just broth, or even better, blend the

solid pieces so he can get it past his teeth?"

O.E. smiled at the waiter and showed off his hardware.

The man snapped his head and stared with wide eyes at

O.E.'s face. After a second, he looked down at his order pad

and scribbled something. "I'll tell them. It should be fine."