Don't Worry, I'll Figure It Out. Eventually.

Don’t Worry, I’ll Figure It Out. Eventually.

Characters:

Faith – Young College graduate fresh out of school and a relationship with no place to go and no job

Barbara – Concerned and worried mother

Bob – Over involved dad with big plans for his daughter

Setting – In the family’s kitchen at home on a Tuesday night. Bob just got home from work and is opening the mail. Barbara is cooking dinner and Faith comes in exhausted and disheveled from a long day looking for jobs.

Faith enters the room through the back door and throws her keys on the kitchen counter.

FAITH – I am exhausted! How was y’alls day?

BOB – Oh hi Faith. It was fine. Bill was late on another deadline. I think I might have to let him go. I also went down to your Gramps house to interview for another nurse. You mother’s sister fired yet another one.

BARBARA – I am so sorry she is so difficult. I have no idea why she thinks she should like the nurse. She isn’t the one with cancer.

FAITH – Well, sounds like you have had an entertaining day. I’m sorry.

BARBARA – Don’t feel responsible Faith. Don’t you even worry. You just worry about yourself and get that job. How was the job hunt anyways?

FAITH – (Sighs) Still unemployed. Didn’t go too well. No one is hiring in artistic set design.

BOB – Well, with the economy the way it is, an artistic route isn’t the way you want to go Sweetie.  I did some research on some places you would really do well at.

FAITH – Firstly, Dad, I know you have a lot on your plate with Gramps so please don’t distract yourself with my career. Secondly, I told you I would find a job in artistic set design. That is what I want to do. I can do it on my own. I do not want to work in sales.

BARBARA – Honey, we love you. We don’t want to see you worrying about us not having time for you because my dad is sick. Your dad is just worried about you. We know you are trying your hardest to find work but we want you to find something stable that will provide you with a good lifestyle.

FAITH – Mom, I know that. Don’t expect me to have all of this (waves arms at everything in their big kitchen) right after college. I want to earn this on my own.

BOB – We don’t expect you to be a millionaire Faith. It’s just I know someone who would be able to get you on the path to being great in sales….

FAITH – (interrupts) Dad, just stop! Please, stop. I want to do this on my own. I want to get a job I love doing and then I want to move out of this house. Seriously, it’s not like I enjoy being at home and not working.

BARBARA – We know Honey. We know it has been hard with Gramps, and with… You know… Megan getting such a good job and… Her dating…

FAITH – Mom! I don’t care about Connor! For the last time, I am over him and as far as Megan is concerned, she can have him, along with our twelve-year friendship. If she wants my leftovers, she can have them.

BOB – So, you haven’t made contact with him then?

FAITH – No, Dad, I haven’t. Geez, I send him a few little texts after he dumps me and he thinks I am crazy! Seriously, why he would tattle on me and tell you guys is so juvenile. I mean we were in a relationship for 4 years! Plus, you both are supposed to take my side and believe what I say!

(Mom and Dad look sadly at each other)

FAITH – See! You’re worried! Both of you! You two think that just because I lost my best friend to my boyfriend and can’t find and job, and had to move home, and am sad about Gramps that I have gone off the deep end. I am telling you I haven’t! I am perfectly fine and happy. In fact, I have been asked out on a date!

BARBARA – That’s wonderful sweetheart! By who?

FAITH – Uh… you don’t know him. And even if you did, it is none of your business. I am an adult.

BOB – Barb, leave her alone please.

FAITH – Yeah mom! I am an adult. You can’t just pressure me into tell you guys everything… And actually, that goes for you too dad!

BARBARA – Faith, we just care a lot about you and want you to be happy.

FAITH – I know, I know. But you have to trust me. Because even though I am single and jobless, I have faith it will all work out.

BOB – I thought you said you were seeing someone.

FAITH – Oh, uh, I am! (awkward pause)

FAITH – The point is: Don’t worry. I will figure it out. Eventually.

Short Story Ideas

1. Running into and old "friend" from high school (the person you were nice to but never really liked). Or you could change this story to running into an ex and having them be doing really well with a significant other.
2. Setting two people up on a blind date and realizing you set your friend up with the person you are in love with.
3. Meeting a relative you didn't know you had or thought was dead on an airplane.
4. The search for finding a wedding dress and planning a wedding later in life.

Boy Meets Girl

There comes a certain age, when a man needs a woman. He is over bachelorhood and is ready to settle down and kick up his feet with a female companion.

I cannot believe I am saying this but I have reached that day.

I am so over being single and taking girls out on dates. Date after date, it seems no one is fitting the bill. My wants are simple, for I am a simple man. I want a girl who can cook, is not crazy, and can appreciate me for who I am. I don’t want to be changed or fixed because I like my clothes and my attitude. So, I start the search for the perfect woman, well perfect as a woman can be.

Where do you find quality women? A bar doesn’t seem like a good place to go. Girls at bars are drunk and desperate for male attention. I defiantly do not want to be caught dating a girl I met at a wedding, talk about drunk and desperate. I guess I will have to start my quest the old fashioned way and get set up on a date. The idea of a blind date is awkward. Boy meets girl, they talk about their jobs, where they went to school, what their favorite color is, but hey, that’s how my parents met so it can’t be all that bad.

Today, I am going to meet a woman. I am going to get up, eat a man meal of frosted flakes, and meet a woman. Today is the day.

Or maybe today isn’t the day. My boss called me in and said he wants me to do a huge project for him. It is going to take me hours and maybe even days. There is no way I can think about a woman now. I have to get down to business.

I can’t believe it. My boss wants me to date his daughter. This could be bad. What if she hates me? She could tell her dad, my boss, that I am a terrible man and I could lose my job. Oh crap, an even worse thought just occurred to me, what if I hate her? She may be so dazzled by my charm and good looks and she could be a dog with no personality. How am I supposed to tell my boss, “Sorry, your daughter is ugly and there is no way I would ever want to date her.”?  It’s not like I can tell him no. If I tell my boss no, I could lose my job. This is the time to be a man and suck it up. If she sucks, I can tell my boss that I have too much on my plate to think of dating. Besides, it can’t be that bad can it?

Oh it can be that bad. It turns out my boss’s daughter name is Emily and I was worried about her not having a personality. This girl has enough personality to fill Cowboys Stadium. She was loud, aggressive, and completely controlling. I was the perfect gentleman. I picked her up with flowers, opened the car door, and paid for dinner. The whole time, I felt like I was dating a guy in a tight black dress. It is not that she looked like a man in fact she was really pretty. She had pretty eyes and short blonde hair. Her downfall came as soon are she opened her mouth. She was so controlling and assertive with her opinions. The whole time I was looking at the clock for this date to be over. I wanted so badly to say, “Just stop and act like a lady!” Of course, if I had said that, I would have made the unemployment list.

When I walked her to the door, she thanked me for the date and then looked at me with fluttering eyelashes. I knew what she wanted and I had to get out of there. I quickly said I had to go and left her at the doorstep before she could even know what happened. As I drove away in my truck, all I could think about was packing up my desk after my boss heard about the date. I should have never agreed to the date in the first place. I don’t know why I would ever want to give up bachelorhood. Emily has shown me women aren’t what they used to be. I have given up my search. I will just tell my boss the truth: she is a nice girl but there was no chemistry. Hopefully he will understand…God, I hope he understands I don’t want to get fired!

Phew, he just called me in and said he was happy with the project he assigned me. All he said about the date was that Emily said she had a nice time but only saw a friendship there. Thank the Lord my job is still intact.

Wait a minute; she only saw the possibility of friendship? Why wouldn’t she want to date me? I paid for everything and was a total gentleman. She should have been pining for my love. Women these days, I just don’t understand why they won’t go for the total package. Of course when I refer to the total package, I am referring to myself.

            I have yet another work function tonight. Why I thought I would want another person to take care of is beyond me. The single life is a life much better to live. Maybe I’ll get a dog to cover up my loneliness. That would be way easier with much less emotional stress. I have to focus on sucking up to my boss’s wife tonight. He gave me the job to entertain her and if I want that promotion, I have to do my best ass kissing.

            I am way too good. The boss’s wife loved me and suggested that I date her daughter. When I told her I had already gone out with her daughter, Emily, she said that she didn’t know what her husband was thinking and that I need to date their other daughter, Julie. What am I to do now? I have these people who think I can fall in love with their daughters. I don’t understand why I am in such high demand with them. The worst part is, my boss’s wife is so sweet, I can’t say no. If this, “Julie”, is anything like Emily, those sisters are doomed spinsters.

            I cannot believe this. A woman has put me in my place. Julie, sweet Julie, is a precious gem to behold. I cannot believe I was set up on a date with the best girl in the entire world. Emily could not possibly have a sister so wonderful. She is a blonde and wear glasses. Not the geeky look, a smart, sophisticated look that makes me feel like I need to impress her with the things I say. She is so gentle-spirited and quiet, unlike her crazy sister. I can tell it is harder to get to know her because of her shyness but I feel like she could balance out my outgoing nature. She is the perfect height, when I walked her to the door to give her a hug goodnight, she fit perfectly in my neck. She wore the prettiest blue sweater that brought out the blue in her eyes. They are such an innocent blue. While at dinner, I could not even eat my food because I wanted to impress her so badly and I was nervous. I have not felt this way since my first crush in grade school. She is all I think about. If there was ever such thing as love at first sight I think I have found it.

            My palms are sweaty; all I have thought about all day is Julie’s gentle face. I can only think of her sweet and soft voice. I want to call her so badly but know I cannot seem over eager. When the boss called me in this morning he did not say a single thing about Julie or the date we had been on. I wonder if she liked me. She has literally been on my mind all day. I want so badly so hear her voice or hear any kind of affirmative of her feelings for me.

            Well, I think it is safe to say I am in love. A bachelor who lives life on the edge has found the “one”. When I called Julie, she sounded incredibly happy to hear it was me. She was shy and I could feel her face blushing through the phone. I have to see her again and again and maybe even everyday after that. Crazy, a devoted bachelor can be slapped into place by a quiet girl, my quiet Julie. Julie does not let me get away with things and keeps me accountable. I am glad I don’t have to tell the boss that I don’t like his daughter. My boss and I might be closer than ever as close as family. Mission has been accomplished I have found my female companion, sweet Julie. She isn’t everything I expected. She’s more. 

To My Sweet and Precious Valentine

I have waited for you

For someone to make me feel

The way you do

You love me exactly the way I am

I wish you could see it

Hear it, taste it, smell it, and feel it

So you may understand

From now until the end of time

My love for you will not waiver

Because I will choose to love you

Power in choice and in love

Power in a simple verb

Each day I will wake up and choose

To love you deeply and genuinely

Thank you, my dear, for love

Thank you for showing me what it’s like

What it is really like

To love with no bounds

And to have that love returned

I could not have dreamt of a better man

I could not ask for anything more

You are the closet thing to perfect

And I promise to choose everyday

To love you more than any woman on earth

Could ever possibly love a man

So to sum it up simply:

I love you.

The Awkward Stage

No one tells you how it will feel

The transition is so uncomfortable

Tested to your emotional limits

While several things unfold

All at once, we are forced to evaluate

Evaluate it all.

This time is the end of a chapter

A happy chapter that’s so good

Onto a new chapter

That is even more exciting

But more confusing

What does the future hold?

When I am grown up…

            Oh wait, I am grown up now?

To the young ones, I am old

To the old ones, I am young

How am I supposed to feel?

Old or Young or….?

I know the need for growth

Is just around the corner.

I have outgrown my current life

But I feel unprepared

With no one standing there

To hold my hand

It’s time to jump in and out

Of this awkward stage

I Love Valentines Day.

Saint Valentine,

While others curse your day,

Your day of love,

Of chocolates,

Of candy,

Of flowers,

Of just plain splendor,

For being a made up holiday

To them I say:

You don’t need another

To share in love.

I love this day

And I will tell you why:

We can show everyone love

In one little way or another

Who cares if it was made up

Let’s celebrate love!

Love for everyone!

So, thanks Valentine

For celebrating love

And reminding us to share it.

Love, 

Your Biggest Fan

Ashes to Ashes

Ashes to ashes

Dust to dust

That’s what they say

When they put someone into the crust

But what does that embody?

How long must I be sad?

Isn’t life supposed to be about the living?

And not the dead?

They say life goes on

But what does that mean?

You see, without you,

There is no me.

So, what am I to do?

How do I reply?

As they say,

Ashes to Ashes

Dust to Dust…