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HE MADE ME LAUGH

Parents Without Partners (PWP) the social hub of my life for several years, within which I had met, married and divorced. The marriage had lasted as year and a half, during which time I didn't qualify to be a member since I had a partner. Single again, I felt good being back with my PWP friends.

The story begins on a Thursday night in January 1984. The PWP group activity was a discussion. Attendance was pretty good. Alice, the hostess, was doing her best to find seats in her home for everyone. Bill, the moderator for the discussion, spoke his introductory remarks about the subject, which had something to do with women's ways.

About fifteen minutes later, I perceived someone had just come in. I glanced around the room and saw a guy I had not seen before. He was standing by the fireplace wearing a three-piece suit. His attire got my attention because suits were just unheard of in that group. I wondered if he always dressed that way. Other than his garb, I saw a short, bald gentleman who had a bit of a receding chin and, I hate to admit it, but in my mind I labeled him as "wimpy."

The stranger spoke. This wimpy looking man's voice was vibrant, so rich and mellow, it almost took my breath away. The words he spoke were almost poetic in reference to women's beauty, their inner beauty his attitude toward women seemed both respectful and embracing of women as equals different than the men I had known in the past.

We mingled after the discussion, at which time I learned that his name was Bob, he had recently moved to California from Ohio, and that he had just gotten off work before the meeting, thus the suit.

Next time we met was the following Sunday at a PWP drop-in (barbecue). We conversed some more. He asked me questions and actually listened to what I said. He even responded in sentences, not "mm hmm" or "that's nice." I was impressed.

Later that evening, when the drop-in was winding down, he invited me to go out for coffee. I said "sure," and we met at the coffee shop. We were probably there for over an hour getting acquainted. I felt really comfortable talking with him.

Uh-oh, truth or dare time! He suggested coming over to my house. Oh dear, I want to say yes, but I'm scared. What if he's a letch in disguise? I told him I had homework to do for a class I was taking. Later, still at the coffee shop I thought the homework could wait. I told him so, and we left the coffee shop. I thought he'd be right over. I had given him easy-to-follow directions. He

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