Page 10 of Love on the Line

“Yeah, it’s so they don’t feel bad makingyou wait so long because they know you’re going to be entertained.”

“There is that.” He laughed. “So, enoughof the soapbox. And you never did answer me about meeting next Saturday.”

“Um, yeah, well, you never did answer meabout why you think you need to talk to strangers,” she replied quietly, unsureif she really wanted to know the answer to her question.

Imean, is he just socially awkward? He speaks with confidence and seems fun. Doeshe think he’s unattractive, hoping someone will like him without judging firston looks? That is the premise for this type of service.

“Fair enough. I, uh,” he hesitated beforeblowing out an audible breath. “I was challenged by some friends to sign up forthis. Much like your friends, mine won’t stop trying to fix me up with someone.After enough grumbling, this grown man finally gave in to peer pressure,telling them I’d do this, but on my own terms, and that seemed to appease them.I guess I had to feel like I still had some control. You know?”

“Actually, I don’t,” AJ laughed. “Or atleast not at first. I mean, when my friend signed me up for this, barelyblurting out the details right before handing me the phone, I just froze. Butthen…”

“Yes?” Mathias prompted.

“I could’ve just hung up, but your voice…”She trailed off again.

“My voice?”

“This might sound ridiculous, but yourvoice is captivating, and, uh, I guess I wanted to keep talking to you. And nowthat I have, I like talking to you.”

“And I like talking to you, too. AmeliaJane.”

She sighed, causing him to chuckle. “So,about Saturday?”

“How about…” She started hesitantly,unsure if she could really do this. Deciding, what the heck, she continuedwith, “We talk a little each night and then decide on Friday? I mean, I couldtotally piss you off about some random topic, like how Microsoft trumps Apple,and then you’d lose all interest.”

“Doubtful, even if I believe theconglomerate Google tops them all.”

“Google,” AJ scoffed. “How cliché.”

They both erupted with laughter.

****

Monday morning arrived with AJ wakingearly and feeling refreshed after having had the best night of sleep in months.Years, maybe, if she really thought back on her time with Brad. But she didn’twant to think back on that time and spoil her fantastic mood, so she quicklypushed those thoughts aside.

What shedidwant to think back on was her conversation with Mathias lastnight. They had talked for nearly two hours, the discussion revolving mostlyaround their traveling adventures. Well, her adventures were limited comparedto what he had experienced, but that was something she was determined tochange. While most of the Heritage sites they had visited were located in thewestern part of the US, he had been to the Statue of Liberty and she had beento the Florida Everglades.

“So did you swim with the crocodiles andalligators?” Mathias had teased.

“Heck, no! I remained safely aboard theairboat, thank you very much. I did see plenty, though. And I even saw aFlorida Panther!” she said excitedly. “Well, from afar with the aid ofbinoculars, but still, it was pretty awesome.”

“I bet. So what prompted you to go theEverglades? Besides wanting to eventually see it because it’s a Heritage site.”

“I have a cousin who works there for theNational Parks Service, and she invited me down about four years ago. It’s anamazing ecosystem, really cool to visit. I couldn’t imagine people once makingit their home. Some still live on the outskirts.”

“People deal with what they know and adaptto their surroundings. It’s like that anywhere, I suppose. But nowadays, if youcan’t adapt, I guess you could move.”

“If one had the means,” AJ quicklyinterjected. “Some people are stuck, or at least they think they are. Theydon’t know anything else, and the idea of change seems impossible.”

The line remained quiet a beat beforeMathias softly spoke again. “You aren’t speaking personally, are you, AJ?”

Once again she hesitated beforecontinuing. “Not really. I mean, I’ve done well with my career and I’mfinancially sound.”

“But you feel as if you’re stuck?”

“Not really stuck … maybe hovering, unsurewhich direction to take. I loved my career—stilllove my career—but, I, uh, I’ve been unsettled lately.”

“Trying to recharge?”

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