Bill's Blog

Before the first date, Bill and Sheree had established a “professional” lunch meeting for the following Friday. It was one week before Bill’s youth event, and he wanted to go over some of the final details before the big weekend. They had talked on the phone a few times during the week, and both were eager to meet again. Friday finally arrived, and they met for lunch at Cheers restaurant in Little Rock. [For those of you who have never been to Cheers: It’s great food. You can buy great drinks, but it’s not a bar. Be sure to order the avocado appetizer. The owners are really nice folks. FINISH READING MY POST, then click here to visit their site.]

Even after only one date, brilliantly punctuated with Bill’s fumbling words, Sheree knew that her future included Bill. Eager to see him again, Sheree chose her clothes carefully [professional, but certainly flattering!]. She arrived exactly on time, and strode confidently towards Bill. He rose from his chair as she approached, and as she sat down, Sheree wrought one of the most monumental changes of Bill’s life.

Neither understood at the time. When Sheree glided into her chair, it was the last meal that Bill would dine at a “table for one, please.” During ensuing meals, with or without company, Bill would always be dining with Sheree.

The meal over, the check paid, Sheree closed the door of her white 4-Runner. Deflated, she knew for certain: “Bill has no interest in me.” Their meal had been completely . . . professional.

His mind focused solely on the week ahead, Bill callously ignored the latent chemistry between them.

A MONTH, A MOVIE, AND THE MOMENT

Thanks to Sheree’s patience, the two grew closer. During the weekend event, the two talked, and talked, and talked. One evening’s talk led into the morning’s talk—Bill didn’t leave Sheree’s host-home until 3 am. In the month following, they took a daytrip to Petit Jean mountain for a hike. Bill had enjoyed a gourmet meal [prepared by Sheree] in her penthouse. They’d watched several movies together. Somehow their relationship survived a theatrical disaster—they shamefully paid to watch Lost In Space at the theatre.

Sheree knew absolutely—she’d one day be Mrs. Ramsey.

Bill was just beginning to consider something special between them.

They’d been seeing each other for almost 2 months when Sheree invited Bill to her geriatric penthouse. They’d enjoyed a meal there, and talked freely. Sheree cherished the rapt attention Bill paid when listening, and Bill enjoyed listening to Sheree more than he did anyone else. After the meal, Sheree and Bill curled onto the couch to watch one of Sheree’s favorite movies: Braveheart.

As the credits rolled, Sheree contained her tears [she still cries at the end of the movie]. Finally, half of the credits elapsed, Bill-the-Jelloheart, politely asked:

“Sheree—may I kiss you?”

It was, unmistakably, the most afraid he’d ever felt. He had spent an entire weekend [and half of the Braveheart credits] summoning the courage to ask.

“Yes, you may,” Sheree delicately answered.

It fell soon after Bill’s 26th Birthday—his first kiss. Like all first-kisses, it was clumsy and unsure, but sweet in its innocence.

Two months and dozens of clumsy kisses later, Sheree informed Bill:

“I’m moving to Georgia. I leave in 3 weeks.”