Homework 9 “Why didn’t I look up?”

Your character’s best friend has asked your character to deliver an important message to the friend’s new boyfriend or girlfriend. Your character goes to the boyfriend or girlfriend’s house to speak to him/her. While they’re talking, your character is overwhelmed by an intense attraction to the other person.

Sophie was always sending me out to do random things for her. I guess because she knew I would. So this was just one of those things, “Please, go across the street and tell Shawn that my audition got pushed back an hour, so I’m going to be late coming over. He never checks his messages and he’s not answering his phone. So please just go over there for me. I know he’s home because he said he was going to be edging and mowing the lawn today.”
I must have made some sort of noncommittal noise because then she started to get irate with me, “Com’ on Bethany he’s your neighbor, just do this ok?”. I must have made a more acquiescent noise afterward because she quickly rang off.
So I pulled on some sandals, trudged across the street, and rang the doorbell. The bell was immediately met with barking which made sense because I knew that “Shawn” had a beautiful Golden Retriever. I had seen him walking it shortly after he had moved in. I love dogs, so I had noticed them out together. I hadn’t actually met Shawn though, I only knew his name through Sophie. He apparently had been transferred to her branch of the Barkley Brothers Escrow offices. That’s all I knew about him except that he had a Golden Retriever and drove a Ford Tacoma pick-up truck.
I heard,”Brady, be quiet,” then “I’m coming!” This was followed by “Brady, get
back from the door.”
A couple of seconds later the door was opened by a slim but very fit man in Levi jeans, a black t-shirt and two of the bluest eyes I had ever seen. “Yes, can I help you?”
“Um, actually I’m your neighbor.” Dumb. Dumb. Why did I just say that? Obviously I’m his neighbor:
“Oh, hi. I’m Shawn.” He put out his hand to shake mine and Brady pushed out from under it and ran out the door.
“Oooh shoot! Could you help me get him? He’s a terrible escape artist.”
“I see that.” I said turning quickly. “Brady, here buddy. Come here.”
Buddy turned and looked at me. “Do you have any treats we could use to get him?” I asked.
“Yeah, just a second. I’ll be right back.” He darted back into the house and emerged a few seconds later with a plastic bag. Brady heard it crinkle and turned his head. I grabbed his collar and we walked back to the door together.”
“You might as well come on in, now that you’ve helped me catch my dog.”
I followed him back but Brady had already darted ahead of both of us, to be ready to receive his treat. Shawn’s retreating form in his Levis made me inhale appreciatively. Sophie always did have good taste, I thought somewhat bitterly for some reason. Bradie sat for his treat. Shawn bent over to give it to him.
“So, did you just come over to introduce yourself?” he said. Turning back to look at me. I was momentarily mesmerized by the long lashes over his blue eyes.
“What? Oh no, yes. I’m Bethany, nice to meet you. I’m actually here to give you a message though.”
“A message?”
“Uh, yeah, I’m a friend of Sophie. She was trying to get a hold of you. Her audition has been pushed back and she’s going to be about an hour late. She said you weren’t answering your phone.”
“Oh. I guess I didn’t hear it ringing. I was mowing the lawn a little while ago, and then I jumped in the shower, so I didn’t hear the phone.”
“Well,” I stammered. “That happens. I should get going though. You probably have things you’re doing. I mean I’m busy, and anyway. Um, yeah. Well, nice to meet you Shawn. I hope you have fun with Sophie.”
I turned rapidly, practically tripping over my own feet. I don’t know why my heart was beating so fast, it wasn’t as though I’d been doing anything. Just looking at a beautiful, beautiful man…How did I not see him before? You were distracted by the dog, Bethany. Sometimes you have to look up, girlfriend. I couldn’t believe Sophie had already snagged this beautiful, blue eyed man when he lived right across the street from me. It didn’t seem fair.