Change Of Heart

“Have we met before?” That was what Derrick decided he would ask when approaching Samantha. They were at a job fair being hosted by the English Department of their school. He was listening to the pitches from the various presenters representing the companies at the job fair, but he could barely pay attention as he was constantly looking at Samantha. She was remarkably beautiful and Derrick was smitten. For 30 minutes Derrick fought with himself as he worked up the courage to approach her. “Certainly someone as gorgeous as she is already has a boyfriend” he thought to himself. “I have to say something to her. Rather go down in flames finding out as opposed to not giving it a shot.” With that he found the courage to walk across the room to talk to her.

Although she was only about 50 feet away, Derrick’s steps were heavy and measured. He walked slowly as he rehearsed what he would say when he finally reached her. Despite being terrified he suppressed his fears and made his way across the room to say something. After considering a number of different “pickup lines”, he landed on “Have we met before?” thinking it would be safe while not coming across as obnoxious.

The moment of truth arrived as Derrick stood only a few feet away from Samantha. Derrick walked up behind her, and took a few moments to get ready. He took a few deep breaths, cleared his throat, and tapped Samantha on her shoulder. “Pardon me… have we met before?” asked Derrick. “I don’t think so. Do I look familiar?” “Actually you don’t but I just had to say something to you because I find you extremely attractive.” “Why thank you such much! What’s your name?” “I’m Derrick. What’s your name?” “Samantha. Samantha Thompson.” A few minutes passed and to Derrick’s surprise they were engaged in a spirited conversation. “This is fantastic” thought Derrick. “This beautiful woman not only didn’t shoo me away but we’re having a wonderful conversation!” After about ten minutes Samantha’s phone rang. It was the babysitter calling to tell Samantha that her husband had called to let her know he was running late. “I’m sorry, but something’s come up and I have to leave earlier than expected. It was nice talking to you.” “Before you go, can I have your number so we can continue our conversation?” “I’m flattered but I’m going to have to say no. I’m a married woman.” “Married?!? You’re married? But you were so nice to me!” “I can be married and still be nice to a man. That notwithstanding I must respect my husband and my marriage. It’s been nice talking to you Derrick.” Derrick was devastated. He thought he was making serious headway only to find out Samantha was married. “Boy do I feel like an idiot. I’ll NEVER approach a beautiful woman again for her to just dash my hopes.”

A few weeks passed and Derrick still carried the pain – and anger from having finally summoned up the courage to approach Samantha, only to find out that she was married. Although Samantha hadn’t done anything wrong, Derrick was convinced that he had been led on, despite this not actually having been the case. While he saw scores of beautiful women on campus, he didn’t want to subject himself to the hurt (and in his mind humiliation) associated with finding out the woman had a boyfriend or perhaps even a husband. Derrick soon became socially withdrawn. He had no real friends to speak of as he had always been a loner. On top of that he now had for all intents and purposes “sworn off women.”

As the weeks turned into months the Christmas holidays arrived. Derrick prepared to go home ready to get away from it all. “I need a break from this place. I’ll go home, recharge my batteries and come back with a new outlook. Things have got to get better. Sure can’t get any worse.” With that Derrick packed his clothes and called for a ride to the airport.

After arriving at the airport, Derrick went to a coffee shop when he noticed a young lady sitting at the table in front of him. He badly wanted to say something to her but convinced himself that it would be better if he didn’t. “She is beautiful, but I’ll bet her boyfriend or husband is in the bathroom and would squash me like a bug if he returned and found me talking to her.” Suddenly, Derrick was being asked “Have we met before?” Much to his surprise, it was the young lady. “I don’t think so. Do I look familiar to you?” “Sort of. I think I’ve seen you around campus.” “I do go to school nearby so maybe you’re right. I’m heading home for the holidays. Where are you headed?” “New York. By the way I’m Vanessa, what’s your name.” Before long Derrick and Vanessa were talking as if they were two old friends seeing one another after a long hiatus. As their conversation continued, a voice came over the intercom: “May I have your attention please. Flight 126 to New York departing from Gate E is now boarding. I repeat, Flight 126 to New York is now boarding. All passengers please make your way to the gate at this time. Thank you.” “Sounds like they’re singing my song. I better head to the gate so I can make my flight.” “Is it okay for me to call you during the break?” “Sure. Let me give you my number. You can call me tonight once you get home and get settled.” “I sure will, that sounds great!” Vanessa gave Derrick her number and headed for Gate E to catch her flight home. Derrick was smiling from ear to ear.

Derrick arrived home and was greeted by his parents, family and friends. He kept looking at his watch wondering if Vanessa had made it home so he could give her a call. After 30 minutes he politely excused himself so he could call Vanessa. “Hi Vanessa this is Derrick. I hope this is a good time.” “Yes it’s a good time. Guess you’ve made it home.” “Yes I have but I couldn’t wait to talk to you.” They picked up where they left off in their previous conversation. During the remainder of the holiday break, they talked every day.

Christmas break came to an end and it was time to return to school. Derrick and Vanessa agreed to meet at the airport before returning to campus. Derrick got to the airport first. Although Vanessa arrived 15 minutes later to Derrick it felt like it was much longer. They greeted one another with a hug and went to the same coffee shop they met in a few weeks earlier.

As the weeks passed Derrick and Vanessa continued to talk and their relationship grew closer with each passing day. Derrick previously had “sworn off women” but he now found himself immersed in a relationship with a beautiful woman whom he was more than happy to have met. “Have we met before” took on a whole new meaning for Derrick. Whereas he approached Samantha with the same greeting only to ultimately find out there was no chance of anything progressing between the two, he had now heard that same statement which led to him meeting a new friend… that could potentially become more!