Linda's Story

Sandy

December, 1994

"Oh please, Brie!" Linda was using her best puppy dog pout as she folded her hands together. She needed her friend to go with her.

"No! The last thing I wanna do is go to a party filled with doctors and nurses, all discussing boring medical shit! It's not my idea of fun."

"You know my hangup about parties! I really wanna make some friends, but I can't when there are guys drinking alcohol and getting fresh. You know why! Please, Brie, I gotta get out."

Brie crossed her arms, trying to ignore her best friend's pleas. It was really hard to do when Linda rested her chin on Brie's shoulder and whimpered out a pathetic please. " Okay, okay, stop. I'll go with you, just stop with the puppy dog eyes."

"Thank you, Brie. I owe you so much."

"Damn right you do."

**************

A week later

He bumped into her, spilling a little bit of his drink on her elbow. "Oh, excuse me."

"No, it was my fault." Her smile was beautiful, as she waved her hand in the air and took a napkin from the table. She set her drink down and started to dab the liquid from her sleeve with a white paper napkin.

"I'll pay for that if it needs to be dry cleaned."

"Don't be ridiculous. What were you drinking?" She grabs another napkin, and a water glass from the table.

"Whiskey."

"I think it'll come out," she dunked her napkin in her water and squeezed out the extra. She started blotting the spot, "it's a dark sweater anyways, so if it stains, who can tell?"

"I still think that I should pay, if it doesn't come out."

"That's sweet, but it's fine, really it is. It's my fiancé's sweater anyway."

"Your fiancé? Is he here?"

"No, he hates the crowds. He opted to stay at home this time."

"In case he gets mad about his sweater, my name is Alexander Lewis. Sandy for short." He held out his hand for the beautiful blonde to shake.

She did so, "Linda O'Shea."

"What will your name be once you're married?"

"Reagan."

"Do you know anyone here, Linda?"

"A few people. I came with my friend."

"Which one is she?"

"I'm not really sure where she is right now. She was supposed to stick with me."

Sandy looked at her questioningly.

"Oh, um... I don't trust handsome looking guys with alcohol."

"So you don't trust me?"

"So far, I trust you. But guys change with alcohol in their system."

He guessed what she was talking about, "well, I promise not to make any unwanted advances."

"Thank you."

"So what is it that you do, Linda?"

"Mm," she swallowed her drink, "I'm a nurse. LPN for now, but I'm working towards an RN."

"That's impressive."

"Thank you. And what is it that you do?"

"I'm a pilot."