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7/30/2019 For the Love of Taryn
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For the Love of Taryn
Written By
Alishia Pressley, Tamara Stinson, & Judith Malveaux
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Treatment
LOGLINE: After two friends encourage a successful young woman to get back into the dating
game she is faced with the choice between three very different but eligible bachelors.
After two years from calling off her engagement to her fianc, Taryn Camille Hughes, asuccessful 29-year-old young woman living in Charlotte, NC finds herself back in the dating
game. She travels back down memory lane and she remembers the dates of 3 very different
gentlemen. After meeting Preston Edgerton, Timothy Miles, Derek Lovelace, she consults with
her friends Kelly and Veronica. After deliberating with them, she then decides which of the three
to continue to pursue.
Act One
As the story begins Taryn Camile Hughes is sitting outside on one of those daysthat was muggy with a cool breeze. The leaves were moving in one direction all at once
and then still. The rain starts in a light mist and feels good against her skin so she doesntmove. She just sit there and when it starts raining harder, she stays, glued it seemed...to
the spot. She feels trapped in her memories of what could have been. Of what should
have been. Its not until the rain stops that she starts thinking about moving and, even
then, the wind still blows rain on her.
Its been exactly two years since she called off her wedding. Her fianc, their dreams,
and their life all came to an end in what felt like seconds. But it was a long time coming.They met in undergrad at Howard University in DC. Taryn, a psychology major, and he
was pre-med. She had planned to attend law school after undergrad. Yes, she wassupposed to be the Claire to his Cliff Huxtable. On paper they were perfect together.
Unfortunately that was not the reality. When they werent out putting on a show for
their friends and family, they barely spoke. They hadnt been intimate in almost a year.He was horrible with money and was drowning in debt. He was adamant on having a
wedding that cost nearly 20K with absolutely no funds to pull it off. He mentioned thatthey should both take out extra student loans since they were both in graduate school. It
was all about the dog and pony show to him. He grew up in a single-parent household
and was the only one of his siblings to make something of himself, so he had a facade tokeep up.
Act Two
Taryn gets up and goes into the house, which is eerily quiet because she likes it like
that. She hardly ever turns on the television anymorebecause she doesnt like thesounds. She likes to hear it all. Feel it all. Be in the moment to deal with whatever
comes her way.
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She grabs a champagne flute and an unopened bottle of Veuve Clicquot. She thinks to her
self, Tonight Im celebrating thepossibilities. She opens up her laptop and checks heremail. All junk. She glances over at the upper right hand corner of her computer to check
the time. 5:57pm. She has a date at 9:00pm. She clicks on the tab for her Facebook
account and click 'Home' so she can glances at status messages for her friends and
"friends." She looks at a few new photos before she updates her status to say: "Hard workmakes you stronger, faster, better." Such a typical status for her.
She gets a new email alert. Someone sends her a message on the dating site e-cupid.com.
She hasnt logged on that site since she met her new beau about six weeks ago. She was
reluctant to sign up for a dating site but one of her only close girlfriends, Kelly, talked herinto it and she obliged.
You are the most beautiful woman Ive come across on this site. My name is Lonnie and
I enjoy long walks in the park and wining and dining my woman. Can we get to know
each other?
Delete. Taryn thinks to herself, I dont know why these fools even bother; how
pathetic.
Theres a knock on the door, in comes her best friends Veronica and Kelly. Kelly issingle also. Like Taryn, Kelly has been through her share of heartbreak but is a little moreof a hopeless romantic than the others. Veronica, married and a little more cynical about
love thought the whole idea of them being on the dating site was absurd.
They all exchange hugs and kisses, grab a glass and sit down with Taryn as she continues
through her three options from e-cupid.com.
The Clicqout begins to kick in, so she pours everyone another glass, turns on her favoriteColtrane playlist and decides to take a walk down memory lane before she deletes this
account forever. Time check. 6:30pm.
Derek Lovelace, Timothy Miles, and Preston Edgerton; three men she will never forget.
Optional Endings
It is at this point where the players of the game will act as Taryns friends Kelly andVeronica, and advise her to pursue the gentleman of their choice. Each of the three
branches or choices will have different results.
Branch 1: If she chooses to go out with Preston Edgerton it ends badly. However, herfriends have the option of suggesting that she should go out with him again.
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Branch 2: If she chooses to go out with Timothy Miles it ends badly. However, her
friends have the option of suggesting that she should go out with him again.
Branch 3: If she chooses to go out with Derek Lovelace, it ends well. However her
friends have the option of suggesting that she not go out with him again.
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Production Book
Purpose:
The purpose of this project is to entertain readers through an interactive script in regards to the
love life of a single and successful 29-year-old woman.
Audience:
The target audience of this project would be single middle-aged women.
Notes from Meeting with instructor:
We met with the instructor to confirm that we were within the guidelines and met theexpectations of this project. We asked for help and clarity on uncertain issues or concerns such as
the treatment and general concept of the project. We were informed by the instructor that overall
we were within the guidelines for this project. However, we needed to create an interactivity
portion for the project which is now included through wordpress.com.
Group Meeting Details:
Tasks and timeline of our project were as followed:
Decided what media tool we wanted to use to illustrate our projecto We chose script writing
Decided if we wanted to conduct our project using an existing script from a movie, book,or create our own
o We chose to create our owno Decided what we wanted to write about
Brainstormed and chose to write about a middle age singlewoman in the dating game.
She has the option of dating three different men Derek Lovelace Timothy Miles Preseton Edgerton
Made a character sketch of the woman Name: Taryn 29 years old Never married Born and raised in Charlotte, NC Studied political science and psychology The third of four kids Parents still married African American
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Has natural hair Not very talkative but opinionated Loves Jazz music Has a small circle of friends In regards to love life: looking for a commitment but not immediate
marriage
Assigned each group member a bachelor (dating choice) Assigned each group member a section of the project Met during class and reviewed each scene to confirm Taryn remained consistent within
each scene we wrote individually
Created the interactivity portion of the project through the wordpress site Met to review the entire project Made final changes
Decision Making:
Initially when we began this project, we were contemplating on writing a script based on a movie
or book. However, after careful consideration we decided to create our own script. By doing so,
we believe it will allowed us to better explore and enhance our creativity as well as the skills and
topics learned during this course.
As in one of the chapters that we read, we wanted to surround our project on a topic we all
enjoyed to write about, Love. We chose to create a script centering a middle-aged single woman
who recently got back into the dating game after the failing of a long-term relationship. We
created a total of three potential gentlemen of interests and created 3 dates.
Within each date, we decided to create three branches that would illustrate interactivity. Within
these branches, each viewer would act as the main characters friend and choose one out of the
three gentlemen to pursue. Two out of the choices would lead to a dead end, and the other to a
successful relationship .To incorporate interactivity; we also decided to use the wordpress site to
demonstrate transmedia.
Transmedia:
This project will demonstrate an example of transmedia through the wordpress site. The script
will be placed on wordpress.com and will allow interactivity with its viewers or players. Within
the script, the viewers will have the option to act as a player or friend of the main character
Taryn by clicking on the bachelor of their choice to pursue a second date with.
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Script
Its one of those days you know. The kind where its all still and muggy but with a breezethat was coolmoving the leaves in one direction all at once and then still. The rain
starts in a light mist and feels good against my skin so I dont move. I just sit there andwhen it starts raining harder, I stay, glued it seemedto the spot. I feel trapped in my
memories of what could have been. Of what should have been. Its not until the rain stopsthat I start thinking about moving and, even then, the wind still blows rain on me. A
welcoming cool mist in the mugginess of it all.
Its been exactly two years since I called off my wedding. My fianc, our dreams, and our
life all came to an end in what felt like seconds. But it was a long time coming. We met
in undergrad at Howard University in DC. Me, a psychology major, and him pre-med. I
had planned to attend law school after undergrad. Yes, I was supposed to be the Claire tohis Cliff Huxtable. On paper we were perfect together. Unfortunately that was not the
reality. When we werent out putting on a show forour friends and family, we barely
spoke. We hadnt been intimate in almost a year; it was like we didnt like each other.
More so, he didnt like me. He was horrible with money and was drowning in debt. Hewas adamant on having a wedding that cost nearly 20K with absolutely no funds to pull it
off. He mentioned that we should both take out extra student loans since we were both in
graduate school. Was he kidding me? Nope. It was all about the dog and pony show tohim. He grew up in a single-parent household and was the only one of his siblings to
make something of himself, so I guess he had a facade to keep up. Good luck to him with
that.
I get up and go into the house, which is eerily quiet because I like it like that. I hardly
ever turn on the television anymore because I dont like the sounds. I like to hear it all.
Feel it all. Be in the moment to deal with whatever comes my way because Im notdistracted.
I grab a champagne flute and an unopened bottle of Veuve Clicquot. Tonight Imcelebrating the possibilities. I open up my laptop and check my email. All junk. I glance
over at the upper right hand corner of my computer to check the time. 5:57pm. I have a
date at 9:00pm. I click on the tab for my Facebook account and click Home so I canglance at status messages for my friends and friends. I look at a few new photos before
I update my status to say: Hard work makes you stronger, faster, better. Such a typical
status for me. Im a bit of an introvert so I never post about my relationship woes, worktroubles or worsethose stupid subliminal messagesno matter how many martinis I
consumed.
I get a new email alert. Someone sends me a message on the dating site e-cupid.com. I
havent logged on that site since I met my new beau about six weeks ago. I was reluctant
to sign up for a dating site but one of my only close girlfriends, Kelly, talked me into it
and I obliged. I didnt have anything to lose. My last serious relationship was my ex-
fianc.
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You are the most beautiful woman Ive come across on this site. My name is Lonnie and
I enjoy long walks in the park and wining and dining my woman. Can we get to know
each other?
Delete. I dont know why these fools even bother. How pathetic.
Theres a knock on the door, in comes her best friends Veronica and Kelly. Kelly is
single also. Kelly is single also. She also has an account on e-cupid.com. We went to highschool together so she knows me very, very well. Like me, Kelly has been through her
share of heartbreak but is a little more of a hopeless romantic than me. I appreciate her
optimism about love but she can be a bit pushy when it comes to me and dating.
My other girlfriend, Veronica, is married and a little more cynical about love. She thinks
is absolutely absurd that Kelly and I are on a dating site. She cant image it being so hard
in the dating game that wed have to go to such lengths. But what does she know shesmarried. Veronica is an attorney for the public defenders office. We met in court a few
years back and became really good friends. I didnt have anything to lose.
The Clicqout begins to kick in, so I pour everyone another glass, turn on my favorite
Coltrane playlist and decide to take a walk down memory lane before I delete thisaccount forever. Time check. 6:30pm.
Derek Lovelace, Timothy Miles, and Preston Edgerton; three men I will never forget.
Date with Preston:
His message seems intriguing enough. Hello, lovely. Allow me to wine and dine you,and treat you like the elegant lady you are. Nice, I think. Respectful. Dignified.
Confident. Everything spelled correctly. I respond with a similar tone. Thank you for thelovely compliment. I would like to meet. Now, the next message should have been aclue, but hindsight is 20/20.Wonderful, he responds. Lets me on Saturday. Theres a
wonderful seafood restaurant in Ballantyne that I am sure youll love.
Though I am a seafood lover, I didnt include that in my profile. Making the assumptionthat I not only want seafood but that I am automatically available on Saturday annoys me.
But I know I can be controlling. So, I go with it.
Taryn arrives at the restaurant 5 minutes early. She glances around, looking for the manwearing the brown leather jacket and crimson bowtie. Preston sees her from his booth
and motions with his hand for her to walk toward him. When she reaches the table, he
stands to greet her.
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Preston
Ah, a true diva you are. Lovely, but unconcerned about
making a man wait for you.
Taryn
Im sorry. I thought I was right on time.
Preston waves his hand dismissively.
Preston
No worries. I always believe in arriving 15 minutes early.
My family taught me that on time is late. I suppose its
become a habit.
Taryn
Well, Im sorry you had to wait.
Taryn stands for a second and then sits after realizing Preston will not get up to pull out
the chair.
The waiter walks over to the table and slides a menu near Taryns hand.
Preston raises his hand in objection.
Preston
We will have the 1972 Chardonnay Mont Blanc.
Preston turns to Taryn and smiles.
Preston
Its perfect to accompany the almond-crusted salmon.
Taryn pats her stomach and recalls the last time she had salmon.
Taryn
Im not really a salmon person. The last time I had it, I
got food poisoning. I havent had it since then.
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Preston
Nonsense. You have to try the salmon here. It will change
your mind. I first had almond-crusted salmon on a weekend
visit with a classmate at Harvard he was a relative of
the Rockefellers. Anyway, it was divine. The item here isalmost as good.
Taryn
Oh, you went to Harvard?
Preston
Yes, hence the crimson bowtie. I debated where I would
study for a moment, but my mother insisted that I go to the
United States instead of England. My sister was already
here and settling down with a clerk to a congressman in New
York I wont say his name, but hes powerful. Anyway, I
had family nearby, so came to the states.
Taryn
You considered school in England?
Preston
Yes, Oxford, of course. And where did you go to school?
Your profile said you had a masters degree. That was
definitely a factor in my contacting you.
Taryn
I went to Howard University for my undergraduate degree.
Preston
Oh, a black school? Thats cute.
Taryn pauses, turning her head as she tries to figure out what the comment meant.
Taryn
Well, it was a wonderful experience. I met some amazing
people and enjoyed my four years.
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Preston
And graduate school? Surely you didnt go to another black
school?
Taryn
Why? Would that be a problem?
Preston
No. No.
Preston shakes his head and looks off as though he has suddenly lost interest. He pulls
his napkin from the table, snaps it open and places it on his lap.
Preston
So, where did you go for graduate school?
Taryn
I went to American University. I fell in love with
Washington and didnt want to leave.
Preston nods politely.
Preston
Did you ever consider ivy league? Youre bright.
Articulate. Im sure you could have been accepted.
Taryn feels her forehead begin to throb. She lightly rubs her right temple and smiles.
As she begins to answer, the waiter steps in with the wine.
Waiter
Your wine, sir.
He uncorks the bottle and pours a few drops into Prestons glass. Preston twirls itaround and swallows.
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Preston
Perfect.
He turns to Taryn.
Preston
Have some. Its amazing.
Taryn
Im sorry I should have said earlier, but I dont drink a
lot of white wine. The histamines sometimes trigger my
allergies.
Preston
Nonsense. This is too good to pass up. Its worth a
sniffle.
Preston signals for the waiter to pour into Taryns glass.
She rubs her temple again.
Preston
So, we were talking school. Why not ivy league?
Taryn
Well, after taking the SAT, I kept getting information
about the minority experiences as schools. I got tired of
it. I didnt want to know what it was like to be a
minority; I just wanted to be a student. I decided to go to
a historically black college and, from there, I narrowed it
down to three.
Preston
Well, I understand supporting black, but there are
definitely advantages to attending non-black schools. Why,
my sister met her husband at Columbia. Hes a distant
cousin to the Kennedy family.
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Taryn
Well, I think my experience was wonderful and I wouldnt
trade it.
Preston smiles.
Preston
Thats sweet. So, shall we order? Id recommend the water
chestnuts. They go so well with the salmon.
Taryns phone rings. She glances at it and senses an out
for the date. She sees the caller is Kelly, one of her best
friends.
Taryn
Im sorry. I have to take this. My best friend has been
sick and I need to make sure shes feeling better.
Preston smiles and waves his hand as though granting permission.
Taryn taps the phone.
Taryn
Hello?
Kelly
Did I leave my book at your house last week?
Taryn
Oh, goodness. Really? I need to get that for you.
Kelly
Girl, what are you talking about? I dont need it now. I
was just asking.
Taryn
No, no its Okay. We dont want you getting any sicker.
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Kelly
Sick? Heifer, we ran three miles this morning. What the
hell
Taryn
I will be right there.
Taryn hangs up and looks up at Preston.
Taryn
Im so sorry. I have to run and get some medication for my
friend Kelly.
Preston smiles. He grabs the napkin in his lap and stands.
Taryn grabs her purse and stands to leave.
Taryn
Ill call.
Preston
Certainly. Perhaps when you do, you can turn the volume
down on your phone. That way whoever youre with doesnt
hear how you are blowing them off.
Taryns eyes grow large and she realizes that he knows shes just trying to escape thedate and she hastily heads for the door.
That was a disaster. Timothy sounds cool and a little less pretentious; maybe I should
give him a try.
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Date with Timothy:
The message reads, Yessss! You finally decide to give in and email me your phone
number. I cant wait to finally hear your voice. Hopefully, we can meet up for dinner. Ill
be calling you soon, very soon. Signed Timothy Miles
Waiter
Would you like a refill of water Miss?
Taryn
Yes, please. Could you also add some more ice?
Waiter grabs her cup and fills it with ice and water. Taryn looks at her phone for the
time, while shaking her head impatiently and in disgust.
Taryn
(thinking to herself)
We agreed on meeting for dinner at 8:00pm sharp. Its now
8:18pm.I explained to him on the phone how I felt about
promptness and attendance, and to think he didnt even have
the audacity to text or call to notify me that he was
running late. Just be open Taryn, just be patient Again Iask myself, what do I have to lose? Nothing but my dignity
and self-respect, my subconscious replies. I ignore her and
take a deep breath, in hale then exhale.
Tim arrives.
Tim
(Nervously to Taryn)
Hey beautiful. How are you? I am so sorry for being alittle late. What can I do to make it better?
Tim still is standing.
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Taryn
(thinking to herself)
You can start by sitting your ass down.
Taryn comes to, and replies.
Tayrn
Its okay. Just glad you FINALLY made it. I understand that
things happen. Well, what exactly happened? Whats the
cause of the tardiness?
He reaches out for a hug as she hesitantly stands but then obliges.
Taryn
(a little demanding and annoyed)
Please, lets have a seat. So why are you late?
Tim
Wellhonestly, and I was going to wait and tell you as time
progressedbut my ex was late running some errands and I
agreed to watch our kids until she returned. But I got here
as soon as I could.
Taryn in awe manages to pull herself together, clears her throat and as calm as possible
says
Taryn
Your what was running late and you were watching
yourrrr???? Okay. I am completely blindsided on this. When
we conversed over the phone, I dont recall any of this
information being disclosed. And Im definitely not a fanof liars, even by omission.
Waiter comes back over to the table and interrupts.
Waiter
And what can I interest you to drink, sir?
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Tim
Bud light. Thanks.
Waiter
Okay, I will return shortly with your beer and take yourfood order.
Waiter leaves.
Taryn
This is my first time hearing about children. I
guess Im a little taken back. So how many kids do
you have?
Call comes in on Tims phone. He silences it.
Tim
I have two kids, 9 and 3 with my ex. We were together for
11 years and broke up about a year ago.
Taryn
Thats interesting.
Taryns posture changes and back begins to tense.
Tim
I was working in logistics over in Afghanistan, she cheated
on me and had a child by another man. So we broke up. I
keep our children on the weekends and during the week when
she has something to do.
Waiter comes back hands Tim the beer and asks for their order.
Taryn
Ill have the Jerk Chicken with rice and peas and collards.
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Tim
Ill have the brown stewed chicken with
rice and peas.
Waiter leaves.
Taryn
Okay, first of all, Im very disappointed that you left out
this information. Especially about the kids. Are you
kidding me? So whats the deal with your job? How are you
active in the military and able to still keep your children
youre your ex has something to do???
Call comes in on Tims phone. He silences it again.
Tim
Wellummm, (clears throat). At the time of meeting you, I
was on temporary disability leave from the military I
injured my back jumping out of a plane one day. About 3
weeks ago, they permanently discharged me
from the military due to the severity of the injury. So
now, Im just sitting at home.
Taryn
You know what, I..
Call comes in on Tims phone. This time he answers.
Tim
(to ex girlfriend on the phone)
Yes Tressa, what is it now? I left her jacket
in the middle closet. Didnt I tell you I was heading out
for the evening and to stop calling me for petty stuff. You
always do this
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Tim
(to Taryn)
Excuse me for a moment while I handle this
Tim gets up from the dinner table and continues his call outside.
Taryn is speechless and livid. Her subconscious kicks in.
Taryn
(thinking to herself)
Ive been patient, and open long enough. This is sooo
beneath me. All this time Ive been asking myself what is
there to lose. I really should be asking myself what is
there to benefit or gain. You know whatIm out.
Taryn leaves enough money on the table to cover both meals and a tip and leaves the
restaurant.
That definitely did not go as planned but there was more guy that Ive been chatting with.
They say threes a charm, so I guess Ill give it a go.
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Date with Derek:
His first message made me smile.
Say,baby can I be Your slave?Ive got to admit girlyoure the shitgirl andIm
digging you like a grave. Now, do they call you Daughter to the Spinning Pulsar ormaybe Queen of 10,000 moons? Sister to the Distant yet Rising Star? Is your name
Yemaya? Oh, hell no.Its got to be Oshun.
He actually read my profile and saw that my favorite movie is Love Jones. I appreciate
him for not sending me a generic message. Ididntfill out this extensive profile withpersonal information just to get the same mass message you send to every other woman.
Hes cute, cheesy, but cute.
I respond to his text with a message as equally cheesy, but cute. After a few exchanges on
the site we took our conversations offline then eventually setup a date.
I receive a text message that reads:
Hey, instead of going on a typical first date filled with overpriced food and drinks, letsgo bowling. What do you think? Are you in the mood to get your butt whoopedtonight?
Taryn
(thinking to myself)
I like overpriced food and drinks plus I already had my
outfit dry cleaned for the dinner we planned at Marcellestonight. Bowling sounds fun but Im not really good at it.
I responded:
Sure but its going to take a little more than a game of bowling to whoop my butt
Our conversations are amazing.Hes funny which scores major points with me. The
other night we stayed on the phone for four hours. Ihaventdone that since high school.
It felt really good too. His stats were perfect: 32, never married, no children, collegeeducated, enjoyed the arts. Pretty much everything on my list except he was a Falcons
fan. I am a die hard Redskins fan so that was a bit of the red flag.
I arrive at the bowling alley with a positive attitude.Im determined to have a good time
after my last date. I like Derek and have only seen pictures of him so I pray to God he
looks the way hes supposed to. I receive a text message saying that we would be bowling
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on lane 14 so I sashay through the loud bowling alley playing Mary J.Bliges and
MethodMans All I Need until I reach lane 14.
Derek is sitting at the computer monitor setting up our game. I notice he set the names to
winnerandloser. Having three brothers, I appreciate healthy competition.
Taryn
(with a huge smile on her face)
Hey loser!
Derek
(Standing to his feet and looking me up and down with a
huge smile)
Oh, Im definitely a winner tonight!
I cant help but to blush. Derek hugs me tightly slightly lifting me off my feet. Almost likewe were long lost friends who havent seen each other since high school. He makes sure
that Im stable on my feet before letting me go and handing me a bouquet of lilies.
Derek
I ordered you a glass of Cabernet. I remember you
mentioning that was your favorite. I hope you dont mind.
Taryn
(still blushing)
Perfect!
I put on my bowling shoes and grab a ball. I prance to the bowling line (I was never able
to master the little skip the bowlers do) and let the ball roll from my fingers. Six pins
down. Sighing to myselfThankGod.
I look back and smile at Derek
Derek
Not bad.
I knock down one pin on my second roll.
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Derek stands up and does this ridiculous stretch as ifhes about to run a marathon
before picking up the ball to do the bowler skip to the cut off line. Icant help but to
laugh.
Gutter ball!!
We both look at each other and begin to laugh. This is going to be a fun night.
Derek
Dont worry. I did that on purpose.
Taryn
Whatever!
His second roll. Strike
Idontknow why but I had butterflies.
We continue to laugh, bowl and act silly for the duration of the game. The final score was
101 to 198. Derek won. We order food and another round of drinks.
Derek orders a turkey burger and Iorder fish tacos.
Derek
Do you eat pork?
Taryn
(slightly turning up her nose.)
No! Do you?
Derek
Yes, the pig has never done anything to me!
I immediately lose my appetite. How could he say the pig never did anything to him? I bet
he has at least one family member with high blood pressure and/or diabetes. I really
cantstand ignorance, especially about health. I mean most of the diseases plaguing our
communities today can be prevented if we would simply stop being so ignorant.
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Taryn
Not yet!
Derek
(Sensing that was a sore spot for Taryn. Derek immediately
changed the subject.)
So today is November 18, 2013. What would be going on in
Ms. Taryn Camille Hughes life?
Taryn
(Impressed with the question. Taryn closes her eyes and
responds)
Well Id definitely be wiser (chuckle). I will be at the
next level of my career. Maybe even perusing my photography
professionally. I will be in love with the man of my
dreams. Life will be a celebration. My family will be happy
and healthy. I will be healthy, my man will be healthy and
everyone will live happily ever after. Until the inevitable
happens
Derek
(Curious)
And whats the inevitable?
Taryn
You hear the song in the background?
AlanisMorrisettes Ironic was playing in the background.
Derek
(Listening)
Theres nothing ironic about any situation in this song.
Just bad coincidences.
7/30/2019 For the Love of Taryn
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Taryn
(Shrugging)
You say tomato. I say toe-ma-toe.
Derek
Im sensing you are a bit of a pessimist?
Taryn
Nope. Just a realist. Theres a difference. Im far beyond
the happily ever after endings. Life always has a way of
throwing a monkey wrench into a good thing.
Intrigued by this side of Taryn he had no clue about, Derek begins to ask more questions.
Derek
I understand but if you have the right people in your life,
dealing with those monkey wrenches is a lot easier.
Taryn
(shrugging)
I guess.
Derek
You told me that you were engaged. What exactly happened
with that?
Taryn
(having a good time and not really in the mood to talk
about her ex-fianc. Sighing)
I just didnt want to be in a loveless marriage.
Derek
(prying)
Why would it have been loveless? Didnt you love him?
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Taryn
Of course I did and we made a lot of sense together but
there was no passion. We met our freshman year of
undergrad. Completely green to the complexities of
relationships. When I decided to not attend law school, webegan to drift apart.
I really didntplan to become so vulnerable on the first date. So I quickly turned the heatfrom myself to Derek.
Taryn
(looking him straight in the eye)
So what exactly happened with your last relationship?
Derek
(noticing Taryn trying the turn heat from herself)
It was long distance. Like I told you it lasted about two
years and she had a hard time finding a job here so she
eventually suggested we split.
Taryn
Is she still looking for a job here?
Derek
Not to my knowledge.
Taryn
So if she happened to call you and tell you she found a
position here, how would you respond?
Derek
Id tell her Im seeing someone special.
Taryn
(curious)
Really? Who?
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We both laughed and started the next game.
Derek
(as Taryn pranced to the bowling line)
So am I all you thought I would be from my profile
pictures?
Taryn
(rolling the ball and knocking over two pins)
You actually look a lot better than your profile pictures.
Derek
(laughing)
So my profile pictures were bad?
Taryn
They werent bad or else I wouldnt be here. They just
dont do you any justice.
Derek
(chuckling)
I thought you were thicker from your pictures.
Taryn
(walking toward Derek)
Thicker? So you thought I was fat?
Derek
No. Just thicker.
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Taryn
(putting her hand on her hips)
Well are you disappointed?
Derek
(jokingly)
Nah, I mean. Well a little.
Taryn
(with a playful attitude and pointing to her backside)
Ill have you know that I caused an accident with this
booty.
Derek
(laughing harder)
Really?
Taryn
Ummhmm. I was walking on campus one day and a guy was
riding by so mesmerized by my butt that he ran into the car
in front of him. That was a proud day for me.
We laugh uncontrollably. The night is winding down. I really dontwant the night to end.
The vibe was just so perfect.
We collect our things and head to the door. Derek walks me to my car. He gives me the
most sensual hug I have ever experienced. You know where they hold on just a few
seconds too long. He rests his cheek on my cheek and I could feel him breathing through
his nose on my ear. I close my eyes and took it all in. He pulls back and kisses me on my
forehead.
Derek
I had an amazing time tonight.
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Taryn
(opening my eyes)
So did I.
Derek
Theres a new exhibit at the African American Art Museum.
Would you like to check it out tomorrow?
Taryn
(smiling)
I would love that!
Derek
(smiling and opening Taryns car door)
Great. Ill call you tomorrow to set up the details. Drive
home safely and text me when you get in.
Derek closes the car door and I smile and wave good-bye before pulling off.
On the drive home I reflect on how wonderful and laid back the date was. I really like
this dude. My phone rings and its Derek.
Derek
I had a really good time tonight and really dont want it
to end. Are you up to joining me at Acoustics to listen to
some live music? And maybe even dance a little? I
understand if youre.
Taryn
Ill see you in 15 minutes.
Taryn drives to Acoustics to finish their perfect first
date.
As her friend you have the power to choose another date with your gentleman of choice!