No Job, No Car, No Problem!

Playing Barbie

Do soul mates actually exist?  Or is it a fantasy that was created to keep those of us in search of 'the one' optimistic?  Only once in my life have I actually felt I may have met my soul mate.  His name is Ken.

I know Ken from the gym.  Actually, I take that back.  I haven’t exactly met him yet.  In fact he doesn’t have a clue who I am.  Maybe, if interviewed, he would have a recollection of seeing a hyper girl with wild hair bouncing around the gym, but even getting that much recognition is far fetched.  Ken is the only man I’ve been able to show an inkling of interest in since the ex ripped my heart out of my chest months ago.  So lately, I’ve worked hard to find out just who this hot gym man is.  

Thankfully, the gym has been my sanctuary from my past relationship.  The club is very inexpensive and is right around the corner from my work.  The older building and broken machines may not be the most luxurious, but I enjoy the fact that it’s more of a family feel than corporate showpiece. I’m the social butterfly of the place, flitting around talking to everyone.  Yet, the person I want to get to know most, I don’t have the guts to even make eye contact with.  Ken is shorter than I would typically be attracted to but he is extremely handsome.  Half Mexican, half Italian he has olive skin, dark brown hair and a matching set of big brown eyes.  He goes to the gym twice a day, maintaining his perfectly lean but muscular body.  From the first instant I laid eyes on Ken I thought he was the most attractive man I’d ever seen and I’ve been praying for his attention ever since.

Tonight I sit on the leg press machine, in my typical daze dreaming of Ken.  Is he around me?  Anywhere near?  Stooping down to change the weight on the machine, I glance over my shoulder and hunt for Ken’s arrival.  Darn, not here.  Looking back down I spot a beautiful ring on the ground.  It shines brightly and though a man’s ring, it would fit on my oversized finger perfectly.  It must be worth some money I think to myself picking it up, inspecting it closely.  Consistently doing the right thing, I rise to turn my golden find into the Lost and Found.

“I found this over by that machine.”  I hand the shimmering jewel to the owner behind the front counter.

“Thank you Jenny, that was very honest of you.  Jimmy has been in search of this for days.  He’ll be happy to know you found it.”  Jimmy?  Is he cute?  Could this have happened for a reason?  Maybe Jimmy is my future man!  Doubtable, but still the thought crosses my mind.

Returning to the machine to finish my sets I spot Ken working on the machine to the right of me.  How did he sneak in past me?  Am I going to talk to him tonight?  What can I possibly say?  I stare at you all the time?  When you walk in the room you make my insides hurt?  Should I just go with the simple, I think you’re hot?  Ya right, as if I would actually say any of these things. 

“You always do honest stuff like that?”  Darting my head to the right, I see Ken smiling at me, waiting for a response.  But did he actually just talk to me?  Was I imagining it?  If I hadn’t been so consumed with the fake conversation going through my own head, I would know if he actually talked to me or not.  I rip my neck in the opposite direction.  Surely he must be speaking to someone behind me.  But there is no one anywhere near either of us so he must be talking to me!  I look back and open my mouth, barely able to get words out.  Sensing my apparent speechlessness Ken goes on, “I don’t think a lot of people would have turned that in.  It says a lot about you.”

I shrug at him, beaming.  “Why wouldn’t I?  It’s the honest thing to do.”  I’ve waited months for this guy to just look in my direction and now I can’t even be normal when he talks to me?  If I stop discussion and turn away he will think I am a snob, but if I continue trying to chat I risk saying something terribly stupid, which is highly likely.  Take the chance Jenny!  What do you have to lose?  I blurt out at 100 miles per hour, “I’m Jenny by the way.  I see you here all the time.”  Gee that was smooth Jenny, you ass!