Chapter 11

  It being a Sunday afternoon, Clark thought that this might be as good a time as

  any to get this over with and get Keith off his back. He pulled the handwritten note from his wallet with some trepidation. Clark was not a babe in the woods; he had had this rather cruel gag pulled on him before. There was something seemingly sincere about Kayla though and he had observed that cute gals tended to have cute friends. Chances are good that this Jenny might be a ‘keeper’. What possible reason would Kayla have for embarrassing anyone? He called Jenny’s number. The connection was immediate.

  “Hello! This is Jenny,” said a most melodious voice that had a smile written all

  over it.

  “Jenny, my name is Clark Watson. You haven’t a clue as to who I am, but I met a friend of a friend of yours at a coffee shop on the west side yesterday and she seemed to think you and I might make a wonderful couple. It might be that her idea of a wonderful couple is two people who can kiss standing up without looking ridiculous. I’m quite tall, six ten, to be exact and I understand you can see over quite a few folks too. Should I continue?”

  “I’m listening.”

  “Well, let’s see. I’m a junior in mechanical engineering at UNM, but I’ve got a job with the government for the summer. I love motorcycle riding in the summer and skiing in the winter. I understand your last name is Sorenson. Interestingly, my great grandmother’s maiden name was Sorenson.”

  “Are you Scandinavian?” queried Jenny.

  “My maternal grandfather is half so that means I’m at least an eighth I guess,” answered Clark. “Why?”

  “I’m pretty much Swedish. Are you blonde and blue eyed?”

  “Yes! My family lives here in Albuquerque and I ...”

  Jenny interrupted him. “I go out with you. When do you pick me up?”

  “Well, I have an engagement this evening. And I work during the day all week. How about a get-acquainted cup of coffee some night this week ... say on Tuesday?”

  “Yes, Tuesday would be fine. I could be ready at seven if that suits you. Rather than going to LaPo, could we walk over to the Frontier and talk while we walk? I’m in Hokona Hall. You know where that is, yes? I’ll wait for you in the lobby; I think you will recognize me. And one more thing, let’s go dutch. That way you are not out anything if it turns out we have a miserable time. Is that okay with you?”

  Clark was smiling to himself the way Jenny was carrying on, but everything she said made sense to him. “Yes, yes, yes, and yes. I’ll be at Hokona at seven on Tuesday,” replied Clark.

  “I’m looking forward to it already. Thank you very much for the invitation,” said Jenny as she hung up.

  Clark said to himself, ‘well, that wasn’t too tough; Jenny might be all right’. He recorded her number on his cell phone.