I really don't remember what she said after 'hi.'
I just speculate that is what followed.
I must have responded, but I am not sure exactly what came
out of my mouth. I hope it was intelligible.
There was definitely a 'hi' thrown in there, and maybe
a slight nod and quite possibly a dorky wave. I probably
managed a few nervous smiles.
I headed home feeling quite happy, and as you can glean
from my account of our exchange, for no real good reason
either.
For the next few months, it went on that way. There was
nothing more between us than the occasional courtesy greeting,
but it raised my spirits each time.
On Oscar night in February of 2005, we found ourselves
in the same place watching the annual awards show. I decided
to take the opportunity to test the waters.
Chris Rock was hosting the event. Though he is one of my
favorite entertainers, I was not interested in his jokes
that night.
I sat next to her and tried to make conversation. It wasn't
going very well, but I kept trying anyway. On screen, Beyonce
performed a few songs, one of them in French. I knew she
was a French literature major in college and seized the
opportunity to let her know I took six years of the language
myself. I asked her to translate some of the lyrics for
me and used that as a segway for my first weak attempt at
flirtation.
'You know, I've been wanting to brush up on my French for
a while. It would be nice to have casual French conversation
once a week or so. Would you be interested?'
My suggestion was met with a blank stare. I'm not sure
she even really heard it.
I continued our awkward interaction. I was getting nowhere,
and even that was at a tediously slow pace. Despite my poor
performance, I wished the Oscars would never end.
Finally, I could take it no longer and decided to take
a risk. Summoning up every ounce of courage in my body,
I decided to ask if she could overlook the difference in
our ages. I figured that was a decent litmus test which
would indicate if I even had a chance at asking her out.
'So, do you think you could see me as a peer? As an equal?'
She stopped watching what was on the television and paused.
[part 4]
About Silas Lee
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