A Likely Story                Thomas Turman   © Copyright 2025 by Thomas Turman

Photo by Ramin Talebi at Unsplash.

He’s tried going to bars, parties and summer rentals. Somehow he always comes off as an odd-named elite. Women wouldn’t spend any time with him.

Tonight, he’s been invited to one of Crazy-Bob’s bashes. This is a chance to try something new.

“Hello, I’m Dirk Smith.” Looking right into the face of the pretty dark-haired woman. “Do you work in Boston?”

“Yes, I’m an actress. My name is Julie. We are playing a small theater in the Back Bay before going on the road.”

“I’m just here for a couple of days myself. I’m a private pilot for a CEO.”

“Interesting. So we both get around a lot.”

“Dirk” and “Julie” dance and have a few drinks and move out to Crazy-Bob’s balcony. Being alone with Julie is terrific for Dolan, but he begins to feel guilty for playing a role. He also begins the awkward stuttering that drove off other women.

“Julie” couldn’t look “Dirk” in the eye. She is now stuttering too.

“Julie, my name isn’t Dirk. I’m not a pilot and I work in a bank.”

“Oh, my god. Wonderful. I’m not Julie either. I work in mergers and acquisitions at the Boston Municipal Bank. And before you put me down as some kind of money geek…”

Dolan Amory Stills grabs her, kisses her and breathes a huge sigh of relief.