I went to the pizza place tonight about an hour before closing with the letter in hand. First we talked a little about how things were going for him at work, he had burned his arm on the exhaust on his bike, so I asked him about that. Conversation was awkard for the first couple of minutes, but that was all - we chatted for a while about inconsequential stuff, I asked him if he'd read any interesting articles in his magazine, and then he asked me how work was going. Then I talked for a few minutes with the waitress, a woman I know but haven't seen for a long time.<P>I was tired, so I had no problem deciding that I wanted to go just about the time they closed. I left the letter and card for him (the "pre" Plan B letter) while he was busy elsewhere, and when he came back I told him I was going to go. He said "you should read that article about Microsoft." I asked him what article? He briefly described it. He went into the kitchen and next thing I know he had pulled his motorcycle around front (went out the back door and drove it around). In he comes with the magazine (this, mind you, after I said I was going to go). He looked through it and found the article he wanted me to read. While he was looking, I suggested that he ring me up for the pizza I had ordered, so I could pay him. He answered "why?" Since that seemed like an odd answer, I thought maybe I hadn't heard him correctly, so I asked him what he had said and he repeated "why?" I shrugged and said "well, I guess if you don't want to ring me up then I don't mind not paying for it." Apparently he did not intend to charge me for the pizza (oddly, this seemed to make him happy in some small way).<P>As I started to read the article, he found the envelope with the letter and card in it. He asked me what it was. I told him it was something I'd written for him. He asked me what was in it. I told him to read it. He asked me if it was about "what we had talked about the other night" I told him, "No - well, sort of, but no." He asked me again what it was and again I told him to read it. Then he mumbled something about "because I am supposed to go and see him on Tuesday." At that point, I politely said I didn't want to talk about that now. And, surprisingly, he dropped the subject.<P>I read the article and commented on something in it. We talked for a bit about the article, then he talked about racing, and I was so tired by then that I was having trouble following his conversation. I went behind the counter and got my pizza and then took it around to the other side again while we finished up our discussion.<P>Just as we were about done, guess who walks in? Yup. Slug.<P>She stood off behind me a little way, and I kept my end of the conversation going. He didn't acknowledge her at first, and I only glanced her way when I first became aware that she was there. I did not rush off, but continued talking to him and he continued talking to me. He did acknowledge her after a couple of minutes, saying "what's up?" to her (loving greeting, huh? LOL!). Then I closed the magazine and handed it to him, saying "I'm going to get going - don't forget your magazine. Good night." He said good night.<P>And that, my friends, is that. Oh ... except one thing. As I was walking out he called out to me "I will read that." I just said ok and kept going.<P>I'll bet he was ready to wet his pants - he had that sorta "uh-oh, now what?" look on his face and he at one point did glance from one of us to the other a couple of times. Although, you'd almost think that he kept me there on purpose. I had a feeling she was going to show up, and he must have had some idea that she would, also. Last Sunday I drove by with a friend and his car was out in front of the pizza shop and she was in there - about the same time she showed up this week.<P>Maybe he WANTED her to see me there?<P>Who knows?<P>But now I can be pleased that slug did not "scare me off." I faced the horrid, slimey foe and survived. Her power over me is gone, dissipated.<P>I didn't think I'd have the chance to work on that aspect quite as soon as this, but it's ok - I did it.<P>Now I am rambling ... need sleep... I think I am ok, though...
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<P>------------------<BR>terri<BR><B>Courage</B><P>Whatever course you decide upon,<BR>there is always someone to tell you<BR>that you are wrong.<P>There are always difficulties arising<BR>which tempt you to believe that your <BR>critics are right.<P>To map out a course of action <BR>and follow it to an end <BR>requires courage.<P><I>Ralph Waldo Emerson</I>