Bon Journal

Spontaneity of the moment

The woman on stage was not the woman in the photo. The way she walked on stage, bowed, and sat at the piano was not at all how he expected her to be. She seemed distant, such a stranger from how she projected herself in her writings.

He said he was going to be there tonight. Since he had not met or spoken to her, he did not feel obliged to stay and meet her in person. There was no accountability in cyberspace other than personal integrity.

At some point, he decided he would approach her after the concert. He had nothing to lose. After all, he was a free agent.

After the concert, he forced a brave smile and walked towards the petite woman.

She looked up. "You must be ? Did you see me perform?"

They went to a nearby pub and talked. There was an intensity of gaze and focus, drowning out the music and smoke of the pub. In the far corner of the room, they revealed the relevant stories of their lives.

She was very expressive in telling her stories. When he spoke, she listened attentively and then interrupted him in mid-sentence. "Please, could you hold it right there. I have to go to the ladies. I'll be right back."

She ran to the ladies room.

When she returned, he asked suspiciously, "Did you hear anything I said?"

"Of course, I just didn't want to stop you."

"How old are you? You don't look fifty like the photos I've seen."

"Fifty? What? You think I'm fifty?"

"Well, after tonight's conversation, I think you're only fifteen. You're like a little girl, full of life."

As they ran to catch the last train, he motioned her to jump on his bicycle.

"What? Just jump on the back? Sure I won't break it?"

"Go ahead. Hold onto my shoulders."

Spontaneity of the moment.

If it weren't for courage and integrity, to meet the person in the photos, he would still think she's 50 and not 15.

18 March 2004 Thursday

Related journal entries:

The intimacy of cyberspace encounters

Fear of commitment