Snarl #2
Creepy as hell.
Lennon
It was Friday afternoon, and I was clearing out the last of my belongings from the office I’d shared with my colleagues for the past three years.
My doctoral thesis was in review along with my field research, and my anxiety level was rising.
It was only a matter of time before I got the call telling me if I was now Dr. Whitman or plain ol’ Lennon Blanchette Whitman.
The results could come in at any time and I was praying that I wouldn’t have to wait through the weekend to find out.
Until then I’ve kept busy, doing my best to keep my mind off the subject of my unwritten future.
My phone buzzed and I just about ripped my pants, pulling it from my pocket. I didn’t recognize the number but answered it anyway just in case it was someone from the university regarding my thesis.
“Hello?” I answered, trying my best to sound calm and professional.
“Hey there, is this Lennon?” a slightly familiar male voice asked.
“Yes, it is.”
“This is Snarl, we met the other night at your grandmother’s house. She gave me your number. I hope it’s okay that I called.”
I took a deep breath.
“Are you alright?” Snarl asked.
“Yes, I’m fine. I was just waiting for a call and thought maybe yours was it.”
“Sorry to disappoint. Maybe I can make it up to you with a night on the town.”
I was going to murder Granny for this.
“I’m flattered and you actually seem like a really nice guy, but I really should wait for this call.”
“You know that phone you’re talking to me on is mobile right? That means you can take it with you wherever you go.”
I laughed. “Yes, I am aware of that fact.”
“Besides, there’s nothing worse than waiting for the phone to ring. Let me take you out dancing and help take your mind off your important phone call.”
I opened my mouth to decline but couldn’t find a reason.
In fact, the longer I processed Snarl’s words, the more they made sense.
As awkward as it may have been, I actually enjoyed myself the other night.
And, although he may have been a biker, Snarl seemed like a gentleman with a good sense of humor. He was also very easy to look at.
I leaned against my desk. “You want to take me dancing?”
“Yes, ma’am. Very much so.”
“Line dancing at the Saddle Rack?”
“That was the idea, yes.”
After one more moment of hesitation I caved. “Seven o’clock sharp. I’ll meet you there.”
“I look forward to it,” Snarl replied in a tone that made my insides melt a little.
The second we hung up, I grabbed my keys and the last two boxes and made a mad dash for the Red Rider. I drove home in record time and practically hurled myself into the shower. The last date I’d been on was seven months ago, which may or may not have been the last time I’d shaved my legs.
After doing my makeup, I chose an outfit through a selection process that went something like this… “I look horrible in everything I own, in fact I look horrible in everything, I guess these jeans will do, at least I don’t look like a complete sewer rat in them.”
After rushing to get ready, I found myself with fifteen minutes to spare before I had to leave for the Saddle Rack.
Time to call Granny.
“Well, hello sweetie. What a nice surprise,” Granny answered, in her normal cheery tone.
“Don’t you play sweet and innocent with me, old lady,” I said.
“Heavens, what do you mean?”
“Why in the world would you fix me up with a biker?”
“Oh, good. Is Snarl taking you out?”
“Tonight,” I said curtly. “We’re going dancing, and I think I’m gonna throw up.”
“You’ve always been such a good dancer,” Granny said.
“I haven’t danced since my last ballet class when I was ten years old,” I grumbled. “But that’s not the point. Why did you fix me up with a biker?”
“I didn’t. I fixed you up with my friend, Snarl.”
“Who happens to be a biker,” I replied.
“Yes, but that’s not why I put the two of you in the same room.”
“Then why?”
“Because Snarl is a good man with a good heart. He’s loyal, he’s protective, he’s good for a laugh, and if you didn’t notice, he’s a total hunk.”
I let out an inelegant snort. “Okay, but why me?”
“Because, despite your sense of adventure, you play your love life far too safe, sweetie. You’ve put your studies first, which is wonderful, but you’ve also put them second and third as well and that’s not so great.
Life comes at us quickly, Lennon, and if finding a partner is in your cards, you could do a lot worse than a man like Snarl. ”
“Snarl the biker?”
“Snarl, the man,” she corrected.
“He’s more than a man,” I retorted. “He’s at least part beast.”
“Sweetheart, you’ve always been great with animals, but you don’t know people.
Snarl understands people because he’s an animal.
Now, you just go out on that dance floor and let him teach you some moves.
You’ve been in charge of every move you’ve made over the past six years.
Perhaps it’s time for you to let someone else lead for a change. ”
“I love you, Granny.”
“I love you too, my sweet little glass of Lennonade.”
I grinned and hung up, grabbing my jacket and heading out to my car.