Uncertainty evaporated
Gary journeyed from Groveland to his sister Nancy’s residence in Columbia, discovering an aura of tranquility, just him and a magnificent Border Collie named Kizzie, the serenity a change from the assembled congregation of grandkids visiting his sister Katherine. The return to Columbia, enabled a return to the internet and a resumption of his NASDAQ day trading, plus an opportunity to visit with his ICQ acquaintances. Gary’s dog sitting duties coming to an end with his sister and mom’s return, and with Katherine’s grandkids still camped at the cottage, he decided to remain in Columbia for the time being. Having established over 48 ICQ acquaintances, there was an inaugural lady that he had an ongoing repose with since initiating ICQ that really intrigued him, her name was Fran, and she lived in Orlando Florida.
The two having maintained a steady correspondence on ICQ, Gary totally enjoying their conversation’s, finding the lady captivating with her knowledge about any subject, her total recall for dates, places and events, and an inherent proclivity for music. Gary not really giving thought of meeting Fran, with the distance to Florida somehow seeming like half way around the world, but taking notice, their online relationship was beginning to developed into something more than conversation, an inner feeling from within began raising to surface. Gary still somewhat hesitant about traveling from California to Florida, it wasn’t like he could jump in the car and visit, it would entail planning by both, as Fran would have to arrange for time off from work, and to keep down the cost, he would have to have to schedule airline reservations at least two weeks in advance. It was when he received an email picture of her and the grandkids, all uncertainty evaporated, the decision to fly to Florida was made.
The circumstances were rather unusual, Gary having made reservations with United Airlines to fly out of SFO at 10:00 a.m. on Monday July 16th., what was unusual was that July 15th was Fran’s birthday as well as his sister Kay. Gary addressing the occasion wiring Fran flowers but somewhat curious that his brother-in-law Don was at his mother’s in San Mateo rather than in Groveland for his wife’s birthday. Don having offered to drop Gary off at the San Francisco airport on his way to work, Gary driving late Sunday afternoon to San Mateo to spend the night at Don’s mother residence, not wanting to leave the Buick at the SFO long-term parking. The United flight to east coast having a plane change in Houston arriving after dark in Orlando. Gary disembarking walking down the United Airlines bridge -way into the terminal not knowing what to expect having never met Frances Marion Wilcoxson.
Watching the debarking passengers clear, standing by a post was the picturesque lady, looking absolutely like her photograph. The long acquainted two finally getting to meet. On their way to the car rental, Fran mentioning how her daughter Jeanette gave her a lecture about meeting someone whom she met on the internet, and was reluctant to leave her mother alone at the airport. Gary assuring her, he understood her daughters apprehension, questioning if she had received the flowers that he had sent the day before for her birthday, as it was a Sunday. The two newly acquainted proceeding to Fran’s residence on Granada Drive in Winter Park, a small suburban suburb northeast of Orlando. Arriving , Gary introduced and accepted by Sammi, Fran’s ‘deer ‘Chihuahua, discovering the lady was an inherent canine person, which was a plus, he soon realized she was everything and maybe more than he had expected.
Fran was just as impressive in person as online, finding comfort in her demeanor and address to life. Her employment responsibility at Dollar Tree was put on hold to accompany his stay, Gary being introduce to the store manager, Liz Loreti, whom had nothing but accolades for her. Gary very much aware of the round trip ticket date, an urgency building within to convey to Fran, who and what he was as a person, it was difficult, but searching within he found a solution. Driving through the business district of Orlando, he took notice of a sign, Orlando Piano, parking, the couple entering, Gary asking the proprietor if it was alright to try out some of the models, the sales person nodding his approval to play any of the store’s inventory, the two venturing thru the displayed pianos. Gary seated before the keyboard of a baby grand, the music of Andy Williams hit, More, coming forth, followed by the Impossible Dream, the pianist at ease with Fran standing beside him, performing his proclivity on the keyboard.
The pianist giving her a presentation of the inner feeling than only music can express, songs of remembrance from their youth, the storied epics of love, a grand finale with the Chariots of Fire. To his surprise, the staff and customers at the store applauding, Gary suspecting that they knew what he was up to, acknowledging the couple on their departure. Gary was surprised when discovering Sunday Church was an integral part of Fran’s life, the two attending the local Baptist Church, Gary finding solace again, having neglected this most important celebrate of life, because of his inherent life in Groveland and Columbia. Both his sister’s, Katherine and Nancy proclaiming to be agnostic, using this for his failure to attend church during his stay at both premises, recognizing he had become abortive of his faith, but with the turn of events, the heavenly father may have provided a messenger, Fran.
Inquisitive Quest 
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