2: Friday Night, July 7th, 2006

I settle on a pair of jeans, a psychedelic knit shirt reminiscent of the '70s and some single strap, high heeled Candies. Looking as cute as I possibly can, I head for South Street in Downtown Nashville.

Shit. I'm too early. I perch on the bench outside. It's warm, but breezy and I people watch for the next quarter hour until a short, butch girl approaches me.

"Are you Gwen?"

"That's me!"

"I'm Diane."

I would love to intrigue you with the clever conversation that followed, but there was none. No chemistry. No "bings" as an old ex would call them. Not one single attempt of conversation by me was met by anything other than one word responses. We struggle through dinner conversation with me, Sherri and Lisa doing most of the talking.

"Let's go to the Lounge. I'm supposed to meet a couple of girls that I play football with." Off we go, thankfully leaving Diane to go about her evening.

As we walk into the bar, I see a long table full of women having a wonderful time to my right. Just feet from the stage. Lisa makes a bee-line for that table.

Lisa says, "Everybody, this is my girlfriend Sherri and our new friend Gwen!" I settle in between Carly, a cute prematurely grey woman and Sherri, thankful to be beside someone that will talk. Sherri doesn't know Carly either, but suddenly we are all three fast friends. We clink beer bottles, laugh and talk. We all three dance together. I forget everything but the moment.

A cute, butch girl in a black t-shirt walks up and is introduced as Carly's girlfriend's sister, Mandy. Lisa, in her loudest voice to be heard over the music that is blasting, invites her to the party next weekend. Mandy says, "Sure, I'd love to come, but make sure 'Dimples' is going to be there!"

Oh dear God, she's referring to me. To ME! She wants ME to come to the party. She's cute and she's interested in me. I blush and can't stop the dimples. I hate blushing. It betrays me every time.

Mandy walks away, but soon she's back and standing behind me talking to her sister, Ashley on the other side of Carly. I turn around, smiling at her, I pat my knee, "Wanna sit down?" I put my hand on her back and start the slow circling that most women enjoy. We chatted with everyone at the table and she leaves saying, "I'll be back."

Lisa buys a round of shots and dear God, I need one! My ex isn't even moved out completely and I can't keep my eyes off of Mandy. I'm incredibly drawn to her. We're all dancing and laughing and Carly asks for my number. She and her girlfriend go out a lot and would love to see us all again.

We can't find a pen, but someone has a Sharpie. I write my phone number on Carly's rock hard stomach. Gotta love the athletes! Again, there's Mandy right behind me. I turn to her, pull up her shirt and in permanent ink scribble my number on her flat stomach. Obviously, I've had enough to drink.

After more dancing and another round or two of shots, it's getting late and the table starts to scatter. I move to the door with them and suddenly Mandy's right in front of me. "Hey Dimples, don't leave yet, I've barely had a chance to talk to you." Lisa and Sherri hear her and cannot contain their smiles and raised eyebrows as they walk out.

I sit back down at the empty table with Mandy. I tell her that I can't stay long. I have a diabetic dog at home and I can't leave her for much longer. "What kind?" A rottie mix. She shows me pics of her dogs on her phone. Same breed. Cute puppies. A fellow dog lover. I would love to keep talking, but it's time to leave.

"Let me walk you to your car."

As we head out the front door, I am so flustered that I turn the wrong way when she asks me where I parked. We walk half a block to the East before I realize that I parked on the West side. Turning around, she asks me where I live. "Murfreesboro...ah, no, I used to live in the 'boro, now I live in Hermitage."

Geez, I sound like a bumbling fool. This woman has me turned upside down! She's going to think that I'm an idiot.

Arriving at my car, she tells me to be careful and hugs me goodbye. I swoon and smile all the way home.