It all started at Borders

Once in a while our lives and daily routines truly throw us for a loop. Yesterday I went over to the Borders that I have been frequenting since they opened several blocks from my home about 4 or 5 yrs. ago. Most often I pop in for a specific magazine, book or author that I have wanted to read about for some time. This usually is pilgrimage that occurs about twice a month. I must admit that at times I have walked on the wild side at Borders and purchased a handful of chocolates that I noticed while waiting in the checkout line. Chuckle if you want, but I go way out by actually purchasing the white chocolate that comes in the blue foiled wrapper by Lindt.

Believe me I realize that this is rather mundane, but to be honest as I age I am becoming more and more a creature of habit. Some things I do regularly and definitely look forward to doing. Long gone are the post college years of all night partying as you've landed the job that you've envisioned as your fast track to professional stardom. I was content yesterday as I slowly looked through the collection of James Baldwin, scanning for his controversial "Giovanni's Room". As I pulled it out of its resting place I noticed out the corner of my eye a woman standing in the same aisle as me. Usually this wouldn't register as remotely odd, but she was facing me and didn't seem like she was looking for a book. I checked the price of the book and began to walk out of the aisle. To my surprise she failed to use proper aisle etiquette and step to the side giving me enough room to pass by.  As I approached her I smiled slightly and noticed she was looking at me and smiling also. As I got closer she said "Tim Berry". I looked at her and asked "Tim Berry?” She looked puzzled and asked "Didn't you go to Hyde Park in the late 80's and is your name Tim Berry?" I replied "Sorry I'm not Tim Berry, I'm not originally from Chicago, I moved here shortly after college". She looked a bit embarrassed and bit her bottom lip before saying "Sorry I thought you were someone else". I thought to myself briefly what do I do now? So I took a leap of faith and simply said, "Well I'm not Tim Berry, but as long as we're still on speaking terms I'm Bryan and would really like to know your name". She laughed; well let's just say she giggled a little bit before introducing herself as Keri.

Soon after I found myself sitting in Seattle's Best for the first time. In all my trips to Borders I had only glanced briefly in the direction of the cafe'/coffee house. Now after all this time I was sitting here chatting with Keri about subjects ranging from Tim Berry to what I liked about James Baldwin's writings. To be perfectly honest it was the most fun I have had in months. Oh be quiet my life has not become that boring, it was simply that the conversation was fresh and we laughed quite a bit. Not that awkward, let me laugh because she was trying to be funny laugh. It was genuine. We sat for about an hour and decided to exchange numbers and e-mail addresses and hopefully get together this weekend. I walked her to the door and she turned around and gave me a hug. I thought wow that was nice, especially since she smelled so nice.

So as I stood in the checkout line looked at my usual date for the day of white chocolate balls in the blue foiled wrapper and chuckled. Then my phone vibrated and to my surprise it was Keri. I let it ring a couple of more times before answering and in my smoothest voice I have answered w/a simple hello. "Hi Bryan this is Keri" she stated "I just wanted you to know, I knew you weren't Tim Berry, but I wanted to meet you and that was the easiest way for me to start a conversation." Wow I was blown away and said "Well I'm happy that you were smooth enough to find an easy way to start a conversation." We both laughed and decided to meet for dinner on Friday night. I purchased my book and a few white chocolate balls in the process. Sometimes simple routines pay off in ways never imagined. Today I met someone that was charming and witty, while picking up an awesome book. Go figure it all started at Borders.