Waiter there's a Flake in my Cereal

Preface

I’m a fashion designer, but have decided to share an unusual story with you that has absolutely  nothing to do with fashion.  And while the horrid tale may appear to have been stolen from a Dean Koontz novel, I can assure you that I wrote it, that it’s all true, and that it happened to me.

The Beginning

I can remember vividly the day Lou and I met…the day the horror began.  We were having coffee at a little ocean front restaurant in Solana Beach reminiscing about old times.  You see it turned out that Lou and I had attended the same high school together, yet never actually met until he discovered my profile several weeks earlier on our high school website.

“Hi Camille. Did I know you, or did you know me back in the day? I can’t imagine I didn’t try (badly) to ask you out on a date when we were in high school.”

Ah, he was a charmer.  And what a small world.  Four years at the same high school and we end up actually meeting umpteen years later via the Internet.

I was fascinated to learn that Lou was (and still is) the well-known voice of an International icon, and as much as I’d really like to share his name with you, I shall take the high road and keep his identity a secret just as I do all the other toads I have kissed and thrown back into the pond.

When Lou suggested meeting I thought, sure – why not? I was single and not dating anyone special at the time, and Lou mentioned he had been widowed for 6 years so we decided it would be great to get together and reminisce about our high school years and catch up on current times.

Lou and I quickly developed a special bond during our first coffee date in Solana Beach.  He shared with me the difficult time his wife had had battling Leukemia and how, after many doctor’s appointments and procedures, she had succumbed to the disease.  “She looked at me one day after returning from one of her weekly doctor visits”, Lou shared, “and said, ‘Lou, I don’t want to do this any longer.  You have to let me go,’ “and it wasn’t long afterward that she passed away.”

I could tell from the things he said, and the way he said them, that even after 6 years of being apart, her passing still weighed heavy on his heart.  I admired Lou for his dedication to his wife while she was alive, and his continued commitment toward finding a cure for this horrible disease by sponsoring events in the Hollywood arena.

In addition to being sensitive and caring, Lou was charming, funny, and quite the conversationalist, and generously offered to help plan our upcoming 40-year reunion after discovering that I was heading up the Planning Committee. Wow, was I thrilled. With Lou’s media experience and entertainment connections we were sure to put on an incredible event for our classmates.  Little did I know what I was getting myself into.

In the weeks that followed, Lou and I spent tons of time talking on the phone and emailing one another. We both shared the same enthusiasm and excitement in planning our reunion and that seemed to be the underlying theme in all of our conversations. Lou had some great ideas for the band, offered to provide most of the door prizes, and came up with several very unique raffle ideas to earn extra money. What a guy!

Communication between Lou and I became habit-forming. In addition to our daily emails, Lou began calling me every afternoon around 4:30pm on my way home from work to chat about our day and ongoing plans for the reunion. A genuine friendship seemed to be developing.  As a matter of fact, as time progressed, I began to suspect that Lou was becoming rather smitten with me.  Emails beginning with “To My Heart Throb” and closing with, “I may be missing you just a little” began popping up and I was flattered. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a romantic bone in my body toward Lou. I really enjoyed his company and so appreciated his help with the reunion, but at that time romance was not an option. Lou understood and our friendship continued.

The Beginning of the End

It was a beautiful October day in Southern California and I had tons to do. Lou was coming down to do some voice-over work in San Diego and decided to stay the entire weekend. I think I’ll make reservations at the Beach House for dinner on Friday, I decided while rummaging through my closet for the perfect outfit.  It should be a fun weekend, not to mention my birthday is coming up and Lou said he was bringing me a few surprises. I love surprises. Especially on my birthday!

Friday night finally arrived and we decided to grab a few chairs and enjoy the ocean view from Lou’s hotel room balcony before heading off to dinner.  We had a great time sipping  champagne and listening to oldies but goodies on a CD Lou had made just for the occasion.  Hmm, I thought, as we slow danced to the Righteous Brothers, with the right lighting and a couple more glasses of vino, I just might be able to muster up a few romantic feelings for this guy if I try really hard.

After the song ended, Lou suggested that we go into inside so I could open my presents…and you won’t believe what happened next.

To be continued…