It was love, it had to be...either that, or the beans I had for lunch that gave me the feeling in my stomach. It seemed to happen a lot. In fact, every time I looked at him. Ethan Hirsch. He had this magnetic personality as if everything he did attracted me to him more and more. He was a believer, handsome, charming, funny, yet serious. How would I ever find the guts to say hello? I had seem him across the office floor so many times, heard his infectious laugh ring through the halls, seen him wink at me once, or was that something in his eye, but we had never said hello. So, how did I know he was all the above? Well, a friend that was friends with his best friend's sister, told me. Ok, so maybe it wasn't love, but it was something. I mean, I have never felt even the slightest feelings for anyone. Then again, beans weren’t on the menu before a date. I had dated a lot, but they just weren't my type. Then again, I wasn't the last guys type either. He told me so...what nerve! Ok, so maybe I did ask his honest opinion, but he didn't have to tell me.
"Hey, Gin and tonic!" My co-worker Larry called out as he passed by my desk.
"You know how much I hate that name!" I said back.
"Yeah...you're a Christian and you don't drink!" He didn't even turn around, just kept walking. I stuck my tongue out at his back. Quick look around...phew, no one was looking. Wouldn't look too Christian-like.
"Hey, Ginny."
I jumped at the sound. Did she see me? I turned to my good friend Noel. She was a striking beauty, with long blonde hair, blue eyes, and that figure you hate cause it never gets any bigger than it is.
"Hey, what's up?"
"Ignore Larry. He's got a name for everyone. The first time he met me he started singing 'The First Noel'. I ignored him for two weeks. He made it up to me and I finally forgave him. He's harmless."
"Oh, I know. I just don't like that particular name."
"Cause you're a Christian..."
"And I don't drink." We finished together then had a good laugh.
"You all know me too well." Wish Ethan did.
"Considering you've been at this place three years, I would say so. You've had quite an interesting impact here, from what they tell me. You got Frank, over in the corner there, going to church, Sal became a Christian last week..."
"He did??!! He didn't tell me! By the way, it's not me, it's the Holy Spirit in me. God uses me to be an example, and to spread the truth, but it's up to Him to lead these people to Him."
"Whatever. Too complicated for me. Whatever...Whoever it is, you're doing something."
I wished, in my heart, I could help Noel. She had grown up in a rich family, with parents who were barely there for her. While she lacked for nothing material, she yearned for love. Despite our differences, though, we had become good friends in the six months Noel had been in this company. She was always in my prayers, and I knew the Lord was doing something in her life.
She always asked for prayer and I was able to give her a lot of Christian things to read. She was so polite, yet so closed.
"Well, guess I better pretend I'm doing something. See ya at lunch break."
She went to turn around and bumped right into him. She was so calm and cool, "Hey, there, Ethan. Nice tie."
"Thanks! Morning, girls. See ya later." And he passed on. Was that another wink?? I leaned back into my chair with a sigh, "How do you do it?? I get tongue tied around him."
Noel laughed, "You've got it bad, girl!" And with that, she was gone.
Did I have it bad? Oh, God, what do I do?? He's so handsome, but that's not all. There's something about him. Wish he knew I was a Christian and that I'm really quite normal. Ok, so I could tell him, but that would mean opening my mouth and letting actual words come out. And what about office romances? Weren't they bad? Well, suppose I should look like I was doing something. After all, Ethan was Vice President!
"Hello? Ginny Strauss speaking, how may I direct your call?...Oh, hi mom. Yes, I got your message...no, I have no plans for tonight....sure, I'd love to come over and have dinner...7:30 is fine...Mom, you know I always dress nice...love you too, bye." Even though she was your average mom, when it came to telling you what to do, my mom was still the greatest. She was my closest friend growing up, and still was. I could confide in her about everything. I knew she still missed me, which is why I took her invitation. See, I live on my own, although sometimes I wonder why. I spend most of my time at my parents house anyway. With home cooked meals like hers, dad's advice, something I always needed and called him often for, and his occasional corny jokes, who could stay away? I guess part of it was I had older sisters that were married and gone, and my parents just needed this time to be alone. They raised their kids, and now they needed time by themselves. Besides, my best friend was desperate and needed a roommate to help with rent. I offered. I guess I liked living on my own, but part of me was still a homebody.
"You look hard at work."
"No, hardly working." Oh, my gosh. Did I just say that to, "Ethan, uh, Mr. Hirsch." Oh, God, why did he have to be so good looking?
"Please call me Ethan. Can you make ten copies of this by, uh, ten?" He laughed. He had that deep, manly laugh. Went along with his deep, manly voice.
"Sure, I'd love to!" My voice squeaked.
"Great, thanks!" And he was gone again.
'Sure, I'd love to!...Yes, Mr. Hirsch, uh, Ethan, I like your tie...Did you know how handsome you are?...Did I ever tell you I'm a Christian too?"
"Oh, and you can just leave them on my desk. Thanks." No smile, no wink. Oh, God, please tell me he didn't hear me, "And, no, you didn't tell me you were a Christian. That's wonderful! I'll have to catch up with you some other time....got a meeting in the conference room. Caio!"
My mouth hung open. Something wanted to come out, but it seemed stuck. Ok, what did that instruction manual say? Open mouth, insert foot? God, can't you keep me from opening my mouth? That was another thing...I was always talking to God. Thank God, for, uh, Him. He was the calm before the storm, the lamp beneath my feet, the wind beneath my wings...uh, ok, Ginny, get a grip. God, what would I do without you? I'd never get through this day, that's what! Oh, Lord, please help me with Ethan. Just help me act normal. Let actual, conversational words come out of my mouth!! Let him see me for more then the idiot I represent. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Mmmm, that smelled good. Ok, so my mom could make liver smell good, but whatever she made tonight was incredible. It smelled like my favorite. Wait a minute...something smelled fishy, and it wasn’t the food...mom was up to something. I hung up my coat in the computer room. There was dad at the computer. He was a cute little man, with gray hair, glasses and a big nose, that I always loved to kiss the tip of as a little girl. “Hi, daddy!” I said, giving him a kiss on the cheek. I was a grown-up now, no more nose kisses. God forbid, one day, he didn’t wipe it properly. Ok, I’m finished.
“Hey, Ginny girl. Mom’s in the kitchen.”
I walked myself into the kitchen and breathed in the aroma, “Mom, Julia Child doesn’t stand a chance!”
“Hi, honey. I made your favorite.”
“I see, er, smell. What’s the occasion?” I looked at the kitchen table nearby and saw four settings. She didn’t. “Mom...”
“Oh, honey. He’s from our church. He’s a really wonderful young man.”
“Mom!”
Ding-dong.
“Can you get that?...Please?” I gave her an evil look, well, the most evil I could muster. Didn’t even phase her!
I answered the door after the second ring. He wasn’t that bad looking, well, except for that goofy grin. Ethan had the most amazing smile. Oh, fine, I’ll give him a chance.
Moments later we sat around the table, dad said prayer and I dug in. “Ginny! Let me serve our guest first!” mom scolded. I looked over at him, and he just smiled. I smiled and looked away. I’d get mom for this later. She eventually got around to putting delicious shrimp scampi onto my plate and I was finally able to eat. I was starving.
On my second mouthful of scampi, he breaks the silence, “So, your mother tells me you do some secretarial work over at HL Electronics. I’m impressed.
My brother was a project manager there last year. Does the name George Rustman sound familiar?”
George, George, George of the jungle...ok, Larry was rubbing off on me more than I wanted. “Yes, it does. Vaguely, a little.”
He went off on some of the things his brother did. I knew what project managers did. I mean, I did work for Ethan. Ah, Ethan. Those big brown eyes, that shiny brown hair that fell so nicely across his forehead, and that great smile that did numbers on my stomach. This guy didn’t hold a candle to Ethan.Oh, why was I being so critical? I wasn’t giving this guy a chance. What was that he said? Something about an armadillo?
“...And so my arm did this funky twist and broke in two places...”
“Wow...ouch.” I said, hoping he didn’t realize I was daydreaming. I did that a lot too. Man, I had a lot of habits. God was the only sensible habit I had. Lord, help me...I’ve got it bad!
