Nina had always been an honest girl. Helping the underdog was somethingshe had always tried to do. Volunteering at the local old age home andorphanage. The Orphans loved her visits, she always brought them home-madecookies and lots of sweets. She herself had grown up without parents andknew what it mean't to be loved wanted and desired, she had given herselfto others all her life. And now aged forty, it struck her "How alone shewas" and what had she achieved in her mundane life. No husband or childrenand a slight fear of the future & being all alone made her frightened andshe shuddered..

A bright girl, she had qualified as a teacher and loved the "LittleBrats". Every child in her class received special attention. She wouldremain after school and teach the slow ones. She paid special attentionwatching for hidden talents. Then would proceed to develop them further,spending hours and hours in discussions with parents, who wanted their kidsjust to learn the basics then leave school and go to work. The childrenloved her; she knew them inside out, their personality and traits. Thus timepassed her bye and in early middle age she woke up to reality- It's abouttime I did something about this situation"There and then she started tocontact the Single Agencies and finally her Computer.

Nina had been answering the "Single Adds" and she was now on her way tomeet "Karl", an orthodontist from London. The computer hadfound her a match and waiting in the lobby of the Plaza Hotel, her throatwas dry, she felt nervous, and under her perfect make-up, looked pale. Allshe knew about him was that he would be wearing a navy-blue suit and in hislapel would be a white rose. She too would be holding a similar rose.Actually, she had nothing to worry about. She looked ravishing. tall,stately dressed in a two piece dark green suit, with a green colored blouse,pale beige Lurex stockings and green suede shoes. She looked the essence ofsophistication. Her hair was cut in one length with a short fringe snippeddifferent lengths, of auburn color it framed her face in a thick rich glowof warmth.Nina had arrived a little early and so walked over to one of theside tables and ordered a coffee. Their appointment was for 8 p.m.8.15–"he is late – won't come, "silly fool me", she thought, sippingher coffeeslowly. "I've done it again".

"Excuse me, you are Nina Dawson, I presume?" Looking up, her eyes methis, green eyes looking into dark brown ones and her heart gave a jump. Shesaw a well-dressed handsome tall light brown man, perfectly groomed, wellspoken and charming. "Let me introduce myself, I am Karl White, originallyfrom America." Holding out his well-manicured hand. "Hi". At first she was alittle surprised and taken a-back, she had expected somebody else, a "white"male, but color wasn't an issue with her." I apologize for being late, buthad difficulties on the road; traffic was very heavy at this time of theevening." "Soon they were chatting away….ten to the dozen.'

"I parked my car in the parking lot. I am staying here a few days, have someconferences to attend to. Shall we in go for dinner?"' He gently took herarm and they looked a handsome couple, as they entered the restaurant.

Karl, it seemed, was born of a German mother and American father, justafter the war. He was born in Germany, but grew up in the States."" I'm 42years old, never married. I was too busy seeing the world and studying formy PH.D. And to be honest, never met the "right girl". Taking her hand intohis," that's up to now. I think I have fallen in love with you. It's as ifI have been struck by a bolt of lightening." Smiling shyly and showing aperfect set of brilliant white teeth. Looking at him, Nina's heart flutteredand unusual for her, she blushed. Not one to rush into situations, shehesitated with her reply. But she felt this was different and taking hishand into hers, told him, she was flattered and drawn to him. She agreed tosee him again. ",I don't live too far from here so Karl, if you are tired, Ican see myself home." "Nonsense, I have my car, wouldn't dream of you goinghome by yourself." Karl put his arm around her and they walked slowly out ofthe hotel. Anybody looking at them would think, they had been married foryears." Tomorrow, 2 p.m. here at the hotel, if it's o.k. with you Nina, Karlsaid." "Yes, yes, of course". They shook hands and parted, each one with asoft secret smile on their faces.

Undressing slowly, she recalled the wonderful evening she hadexperienced and couldn't believe her good luck.She began to brush her hair -100 strokes of the brush to make her hair soft and glistening,musing aboutthe wonderful evening she had had. Slipping into her pyjamas, she fellasleep as soon as her head touched her pillow, with dreams of Karl and themorrow. Karl, on the other hand, was too excited to sleep. He sat in thearm-chair, a light drink in his hand and sipping it slowly, thought aboutthe evening, anticipating what tomorrow would bring. "Nina, boy what awoman. Lucky me!"closing his eyes he centered his thoughts on the soft musicof Motzart never feeling so happy and contented in such a long time,mmm! "Ithink I've found my gal".

Estelle Grueneberg.2001.14.3