After I ended my six-year relationship, I did a hard reset on my life. I would focus on my hobbies, explore new things, and do more exercise. I committed to being happy on my own for a while and not pursuing a relationship. I had the romantic idea that if I relaxed and did my own thing, I would meet some new love interests the slow, old-fashioned way. Sure, I met some people and had some flings, but they were few and far...

On the first day of the week I dated Nat She recited Sylvia Plath and said I'm hot as hell I told her fucking is a form of art, At which I truly do excel But though I let her feel me up All I gave her was a kiss On the second day of the week I dated Kay Who thought I'd be Rimbaud to his Verlaine I told him a season in Hell might still be ok If it was filled with hung and horny men But though I let him feel me up All I gav...

I had met Elise at the college library during finals week of the spring semester. We found ourselves outside the library long after it had closed for the night, chatting away as if it were our last day on earth. We both expressed interest in a second date after finals. I was ecstatic, for Elise was utterly beautiful. She had viridian eyes and the sweetest dimples, topped with an innocent smile. Her blonde hair was always...

We were all in a bubbly mood as we entered our basement room and locked the door. Yet right at the start, I had to worry about something. “Those locomotives have wide windows. Do you think the engineer saw us as he reached the curve?” Gina said, “Chloe, you’re such a worry-wart sometimes. What do you think? That he’s going to tell the dispatchers, who will issue a warning to watch for flashing girls just south of Williams...

Jenny and I met outside my building one afternoon for our private rendezvous. Even though we were on the street, she greeted me warmly, hugging and kissing me. For once, I didn’t care if anyone saw us. Jenny was my special friend, and I thought female friends could demonstrate their affection for each other. “My sweet Chloe, it’s so good to see you today. I so much want to be with you right now.” We didn’t linger long the...

Chris had never met my friends, although they had heard about him from me for a while. I decided to have all four of us meet for lunch one day at the nearby diner. He knew very well that a new girlfriend’s female friends would inevitably vet him in some way. Gina and Jenny sat opposite us in a booth. I detected a certain coolness from them. Is he still probationary in their eyes? Jenny also was wearing her dark cap which,...

That week I started my part-time job behind the counter of an Italian bakery. I had to put on my uniform at home. It consisted of a light-green dress, a round hat of the same color, and a white apron. Since I had to be on my feet so much, I wore sneakers and ankle socks. They had excellent bread there, and I was given some to take home. The pastries were great too, but I limited myself to one cannoli per week. On my third...

That evening I got a phone call from Gina. She wanted to go to Mass with me the following day. She hadn’t been there in nearly three years, so I was surprised. “Why do you want to do that?” “I’m not sure, I just wanted to check up on my old parish.” That church on Gun Hill Road was called Immaculate Conception. I told her to meet me outside for the 10:AM service. She arrived a few minutes after I did. For a moment we chec...