I couldn’t believe it. Under the cellophane wrapping, he was holding was my gown – the only one I’d owned since my college formals (not counting wedding and bridesmaid gowns, that is). I looked at the garment in my trunk. A less frantic inspection revealed I’d taken his newly cleaned navy blue raincoat. In my rush, I hadn’t even checked.

"I’m so sorry," I said, and then, looking at my watch, realized I had to run. We made our exchange, I thanked him profusely, flung the gown into the trunk, got behind the wheel and tore out of the parking lot. In the rearview mirror, I saw him standing there watching me leave with a puzzled look on his face. I gave a little wave. A stupid wave. In that moment, I knew exactly how Cinderella felt when the clock struck midnight. There’s just never enough time when you’ve just met a prince!

♥♥♥♥♥♥

After the fastest shower ever recorded and slapping on some make-up (or it could have been Ellie’s watercolors for all I know), I made it to the hotel just in time. The hotel manager and the band were very happy to receive their checks, the desserts from Bissell’s bakery looked fabulous and the committee members all gushed about their corsages. Finally, I met Beth at the reception table where we were scheduled to greet guests and sell tickets for the first hour. It felt good to sit down in a chair and know I wouldn’t have to jump up immediately.

"Susanne, you look great," said Beth, "and everything’s so under control, too!"

Beth was such a good friend. She always knew the right thing to say.

"Beth, if you only knew – I almost came here tonight dressed in a man’s raincoat!"

"Details please!"

"Don’t get too excited."   I told Beth about my dry cleaning mix-up.

"He was cute?"

"Yes, really cute."

"So, cut to the chase, Susanne. Did he ask for your number?"

"Well, no. I was in such a hurry, I didn’t give him a chance to."

Beth rolled her eyes, called me a spaz and made me promise to take an adult education course on guerrilla dating tactics. Then, we had a good chuckle – at my expense. We both knew I’d never do it.

The first hour of the fundraiser was pretty busy; it was heartening to see how many tickets we sold and the teachers’ association certainly needed the money. But it was a little disheartening too – so many couples. Next week I’d visit Marco and ask who his helpful customer was. Maybe there was still a chance. In the meantime, I’d have a nice evening with Beth and her husband, Peter, who’d promised me a ‘mercy’ dance (what a funny guy). In the middle of this mental monologue, I heard a voice that sounded familiar.

"Andrew Keith, one ticket please."

I looked up and who was there but my friend from the cleaners. Not that he wasn’t handsome before but, in his tuxedo and faintly smelling of cologne, to say he cleaned up nicely was an understatement.

"What are you doing here?" I said, realizing only after how it sounded.

"Well, hello," he said back, "nice to see you too."

All Stressed Up -3 (Continue)