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Living the Life of Holly |
Column # 129 Putting
Adventure Where My Mouth Is |
| Ok. Sure. I always say that I'm spontaneous and that I'm always ready to travel. Um. When it comes right down to it, is it true? |
| Living the Life of Holly “Hi baby.” Cool-guy said into the phone. “Finally.” I teased. “Thought you flew off to London and forgot about me.” “Honey. You know all those messages I’ve been leaving for you?” “You mean before you figured out how to get past the solicitor block?” I laughed. “I just found out each message has cost me twenty dollars.” “I’m worth it.” He laughed. “Yes you are. How are you? Girl. It’s good to hear your voice.” “I’m busily getting ready to go home. I can’t wait to see everyone.” “I think you would have a lot more fun here with me on vacation in Europe.” He said. “Yeah. Too bad we didn’t meet a little earlier so we could’ve have planned it that way, hmmm?” “Really. Any chance your cousin would change the date of her nuptials so you could come over a little sooner?” “Sure she would!” I laughed. “My family understands my need to travel. I’ll call her right now. And she’ll call all hundred and fifty people who’ve been invited. I’m sure it’ll be no big deal….. anything for you….” He laughed. “Good. Cause I think you should be over here with me.” “Hey. Don’t tempt me. Everything’s all figured out. The tickets are all set. So. How’s the cooking school?” “Tickets can be changed.” He said. “Don’t tease me. You don’t know who you’re talking to.” “I’m not teasing.” He said. “Would your family forgive you if I flew you over so you could go surfing with me in Portugal?” “I don’t surf.” I said slowly. “You could sit on the beach and write. I’d take care of everything.” “Hey. Cool-guy. That’s a mean thing to joke about.” I whined. “Who’s joking?” He laughed. “Come on, travelin girl. You say you love to travel. Put your adventure where your mouth is.” “You mean it? Really?” “Really.” He laughed. “Come play with me for a couple of weeks. My treat.” “I don’t know. I’ve never missed a family wedding.” I tried to think. “I’d have to ask my mom.” He laughed. “Well, she’s the only one with the authority to excuse me from a family function.” “I’ll call you back in an hour. I know how your mom likes to talk.”
“Hi, Mom.” “Hi.” She said, happily. “I’ve cleaned out your room. But, I haven’t made the bed yet.” I took a deep breath. I hadn’t told her that I had met someone. “Hey. Mom. I met this nice man. And we’ve been dating a few weeks. He’s a big chef out here.” “Will you be bringing him home for the wedding?” She salivated. I laughed. “Actually. I’m calling to ask your advice. He’s invited me to go to Europe, all expenses paid, to hang out with him on the beach.” “That’s great.” She said. “The only catch is……I’d have to miss the wedding.” She sucked air. “Holly. That’s going to be hard. If you hadn’t just told Amber you’d be there, it wouldn’t be so hard.” “I know.” She thought for a moment. “Tell me about him.” Oh. Man. Ok. I told her about the seven hour lunch date and how he didn’t watch TV and how he was dealing with the visual memory stuff really well and how I was teaching him how to speak Spanish. I told her how spending time with him was like being on vacation, no matter what we were doing. “I think you should do it.” “Really? Mom. You think I should go? I’ve never missed a family wedding.” “Have you bought their gift yet?” “No.” “Well. Buy them something good in Portugal. Maybe a piece of original art.” “Yeah. Of course.” “When will you be leaving.” “Tomorrow morning.” I said, quietly. She started laughing. She couldn’t catch her breath she was laughing so hard. “When did he invite you?” “Five minutes ago.” “You never do anything the easy way, do you?” She said through her laughter. I joined in her laughter. “I learned everything I know from you, Mother.” “You’d better start packing. “Can’t.” I said, panicking. “I have to finish some columns. Ralph has to take some photos for the ones I’ll post when I’m gone.” “Guess you won’t be sleeping tonight.” “Guess not.” I laughed. “I’ll call you early in the morning to be sure you don’t miss your flight.” “Thanks, Mom.” I said. Um. Could there be a better Mom?” I picked up the phone.
“Are you woman enough to meet me?” He teased. “I’ll leave for the airport at eight, get there at nine thirty, fly at eleven. I’ll take the flight from New York City at 6:30 that night. I’ll meet you in the Heathrow Airport in London at eleven o’clock the next morning at the information booth so we can fly to Portugal together.” “SWEET.” He yelled. “Are you sure about this?” I asked. “Very sure.” “I mean. You like to travel alone. Why are you inviting me along?” “I want to travel with you. Isn’t that obvious?” “What if we don’t like each other when we spend that much time together?” “Then we can part ways.” He laughed. Good. Good he knew that I would take off if he bugged me. Two weeks? Two weeks traveling in Europe with a man I hardly know? How could that work? How could that work? So many men ask me to travel with them and offer to pay. I turn them down all the time. But. Cool-guy? It was way more than wanting another kiss. I couldn’t wait to spend more time with him. But. Was this going to be too much at the beginning of a relationship? “Ok. I’m in.” I laughed. “Good.” He said. “I’ll arrange the tickets. If anything goes wrong, leave word at the information booth at Heathrow.” “Wrong? With me? Cool-guy. You don’t know me very well, do you? When I travel everything goes smoothly.” “Holly. That’s what this is all about. I want to know you better.” Comment on this column in The Forum Or Send Holly your comments. Tell her what you really think! Your comments might be published on her website, or in her weekly Yahoo Group e-mail. Send Comments Wanna vote for your favorite column? Fan's favorite column picks will be added to the Fan's Favorite Five page. Send your pick for your favorite here. Fan's Favorite Column Pick Don't miss out! Sign up to receive a free copy of Holly's column via e-mail each week, click HERE to send a blank e-mail request. (All e-mail addresses are private... NEVER, EVER shared.) Copyright © 2003 by Holly Winter |