SHOP AROUND - FEB. 1985 PT. 2

FEBRUARY 19, 1985

Tuesday

Well, a lot has changed since this time last week. Let me start with Friday night.

FRIDAY - I went to Northpark to see The Killing Fields with Robert Bevis. First, we walked around the mall waiting for the movie to start. I ended up buying a denim mini skirt and two blouses. It’s SO cute! I really shouldn’t have, but I’m glad I did. We had a good time and the movie was really good.

SATURDAY - In the morning, about 11:30, I went over to Bryant’s for about 30 minutes then Mom and Dad came over (the kids were at Bryant’s) and we all went out to eat at El Chico’s. We had a great time. Afterwards, we went and looked at the house Bryant’s going to rent and then to the park. It was a beautiful day. We swung for a while, slid on the slides and played on the jungle gyms. It was fun. The kids were a lot of fun. I left there about 3:00 p.m., went and washed my car then went home to rest because Scott, Nancy, Sherri, Robert and I were going to celebrate Robert and Scott’s new jobs. We were going to Cafe’ Dallas.

Later, after everyone got there, the phone rang and it was Barry. He wanted to go. I told him he was calling too late. Kathleen did tell me he had called earlier but I really didn’t want to call him. I wanted to be single that evening. He was a little mad but couldn’t say much.

https://youtu.be/mVJEJHi3daE

(Shop Around video)

That night, I had a royal blast! We got to the dance place about 7:15 (which means no cover charge, before 8:00). We easily got a table. Around 9:00, the dancing started and so did I. Two couples went out on the floor (one couple being Scott and Nancy) and shortly after, a man came by and said “Did you know you’re the liveliest person here?” (I guess that’s a line, but it’s fun.) I looked all around and then said “Yeah, I probably am.” We danced a lot and then all of a sudden, one time on the dance floor he kind of shoved me (very lightly more like a nudge) and said “You’re too young.” I don’t know what he thought I was too young for. I just wanted to dance. He kept coming back to the table and started becoming a drag, so when he went to the restroom one time, someone asked me to dance, so I stayed out on the floor awhile. When I finally went back to the table, he was gone.

I went ahead and danced with many other guys. I FELT FREE! I found that if I stood by the table and smiled a lot, I got more dances. After a while, a blonde guy with a moustache asked me to dance. I accepted. We talked and danced a lot on the floor. We introduced and his name was Troy. I danced with other guys for a while and then he’d come back. Finally, he asked if he could buy me a drink. I said “Sure.”

After dancing and visiting, it was about time to go. He asked for my phone number, and I thought “Why not?” So I did. I gave him my work number. He said he wanted to take me to a nice restaurant. I was quite pleased. I had a really good time. (2021 - I remember him telling me I looked between Reba McEntyre and Meg Ryan - OKAY! I’ll take that!) - ha!

FEBRUARY 20, 1985

Wednesday

To continue with yesterday’s story.

SUNDAY - In the morning while getting ready for church, Barry called (he had been crying), and wanted me to come by and see him after church. He said he needed to talk. I said I would.

After church, I stopped by Mom and Dad’s to pick up my laundry and visit awhile. I called him to let him know I’d be a little late. He didn’t like that idea much but said okay. About 30 minutes later, he called screaming and yelled “When are you coming over?” You said you’d be over and you’re not. Well, he was screaming so much and he finally said “Why did you go out with someone else last night?” That made me furious. I told him he had no ties on me, he saw to that. Then I hung up. I found out later that he had hung up at the same time. I went crying to Mom and Dad. I had been feeling good because of Friday and Saturday nights but now I felt bad. Mom said that I shouldn’t go over there. She said if I went over there today there would be a next time and a next time. He called back (while I was in the den with Mom and Dad) and started yelling at me again. I hung up a second time. Mom talked to me about an hour. I can’t even hardly remember what all we said but I know he said he didn’t like the idea that it was all his fault.

That night, when I got home, I felt like going to see A Passage to India. But I didn’t want to go by myself. Kathleen came home minutes before time to go so she went with me. I really enjoyed the movie but I wouldn’t say it’s an excellent movie. Very, very enjoyable. Right after I got home, I watched my videotape of Meet John Doe.

MONDAY - I had off from work. A man from Mr. Wheel came and put new wheel covers on my car. He came early so I had the whole day off to do what I wanted. I relaxed, etc. and about 5:00 p.m., I went and saw Amadeus. I loved it again. Talk about an excellent movie!

When I got home, about 8:30, I had a message that Troy called. Yes, the one at Cafe’ Dallas. Well, I called him. He was so easy to talk to. We talked for right about two hours! He’s really into (you’re not going to believe this) Brazillian, Caribbean, etc. things and Carmen Miranda. He thought it was great that I had Carmen Miranda paper dolls. Isn’t that freaky? We talked about everything from music, children (he’s going to coach a little league team,) and Sociology. I really enjoyed the conversation. It was one of the best first conversations I’ve had with anyone. Now, I hope we talk as well Saturday night. Oh yeah, Saturday we’re going to Annie’s Santa Fe. He’s picking me up at 7:00 p.m. I don’t know if we’ll go anywhere afterwards or not. We’ll see. I’m really looking forward to it. This will be my first date with someone (besides Barry) since before October 1983. That’s a long time.

TUESDAY - Nothing much happened. I went to Voice lessons and to exercise class. I was in a really good mood because of Troy’s call.

WEDNESDAY - Everything was just fine until right before my afternoon break. I Got a call from Barry. He wanted to know Scott and Nancy’s phone number. I told him I didn’t have it. He asked if Kathleen would be home around 5:00, I Said yes and he said “Well, that’s all I wanted to know. Bye!” That infuriated me. I have a feeling he’s calling about the party that Scott’s going to have some time in March. I do not want him to go. It’ll make me very uncomfortable all evening. Oh well, like Lou Ann said “Worry about that when it happens.” I need to mail him his heart he gave me and his apartment key. I want my key back also. I don’t have his address, soI don’t know how to do it.

FEBRUARY 25, 1985

Monday

I had a very good weekend. I am exhausted today because of it, but it’s worth it.

FRIDAY - Robert, Kevin, Sherri and I were at Mom and Dad’s (they were at the cabin) and played Password. We switched partners all the time and I always won no matter who my partner was. That made me feel good. Sherri spent the night and we blabbed until 4:30 a.m.

SATURDAY - I got home around noon, cleaned my apartment so it would look nice when Troy picked me up. I took a nap around 2-4. I was expecting Troy at 7:00 p.m. Right at that time, the phone rang. He said he’s on time, but he just couldn’t find the apartment. (He called from the complex phone.) I told him how to find it and was looking for him when he walked by so he never came up.

He opened the car door for me and we went to Annie’s Santa Fe. He’s the type of REAL gentleman who opens doors, very polite and orders for you (after you tell him what you want.) I like that. We had a great comfortable, but exciting time at the restaurant. What I mean is, I felt relaxed and secure for a first date, yet not so much that it wasn’t exciting.

Afterwards, we went to the Comedy Corner. We saw two good comics. The last one was particularly good. I laughed a lot. So did Troy.

That was over around 10:30 p.m. I Didn't want to leave his company yet I didn’t want him to spend more money so suggested (bravely) to have coffee at my place. Believe it or not, we talked until 3:00 in the morning! We laughed a whole lot and had a great time. He never laid a hand on me until right when he left. He tenderly brought me towards him and kissed me. I got a chill up and down my spine that I haven’t honestly felt since Barry and I first started dating. It was really nice. He was even sweet enough to take my four bags of trash out that were on the landing. I watched him until he got in his truck (the fanciest truck I’ve ever seen, I’ll add) and drove off. I am completely myself around him with no false fronts whatsoever.

SUNDAY - I woke up and actually made it to church. After that, I went to Mom and Dad’s and visited for a while and told them about my good time. I then went grocery shopping and went on home and took a three hour nap.

I went over to DeeAnn and Brian’s around 7:30 p.m. and had a very nice visit. She told me that she had always been a little leery of Barry’s and my relationship. She felt he wasn’t aggressive (emotionally) enough for me. She’s really right. (2021 comment - I knew that truly when I had that wreck and I was more worried about him than me…)

Shortly after I came home, the phone rang. Hoping it was Troy I ran for it. It wasn’t. It was Barry. We talked a long time and Finally told him that I cannot allow him to call anymore. Just about the time I’m feeling good, he calls and upsets me (makes me cry). I’m tired of that. He told me he flushed my heart down the toilet.

Anyway, I cried a lot like I always do. But I managed to say a lot of things I wanted to say like, that I went out with Troy on Saturday. He said good, but I Don't believe him. He said a lot of things I didn’t believe.

I finally got off and then I talked to Kathleen until 1:00 a.m. or so. (This has a lot to do why I’m so tired today.)

MONDAY - Kathleen called me at work and said that Troy had called to talk to me the night before (Sunday) but I was asleep. They talked awhile and he asked her if I had a good time. He also told her that he thought he would be in Dallas Monday night and he’d like to come by. Sure enough, shortly when I got home from work, the phone range and it was Troy. (2021 - where did he live? Was he going to college in Waco? I have no recollection) - He said he was on Greenville Ave. (he had been in Dallas all day for business) and he would like to see me. I said “sure!” He came by around 6:50, watched some t.v. together then went and saw Micki and Maude which was alright, but nothing great. I didn’t like it as much as Dudley’s other movies even though the reviews have been great. Anyway, we had fun (he was very gentlemanlike again) and afterward we went to Denny’s for coffee and to visit. Kathleen was at the apartment. We again laughed a lot and had a good time. From there we went back to my apartment, visited with Kathleen some and we took Coco for a walk (just Troy and me.) I got to giggling because I couldn’t find the pool. He said they probably zipped it up and stashed it away for the Winter. I thought that sounded reasonable. We laughed a lot again. Our rapport is really good!! By this time (as was last Saturday) time flew and he had to go home. It was 11:30 p.m. and of course he had to drive to Ft. Worth (ahhhh). He walked me up to my stoop (door) lightly kissed me (a peck, really) and said “Goodbye.” He’s very sweet. But I do think I’m getting ready to hold his hand, or kiss him, really. But it’s probably best, because I know if I really kissed him or got too cuddly, I would be trapped emotionally. I want to meet more people. But I sure enjoy him.

FEBRUARY 28, 1985

Thursday

I’m still hearing from Troy a lot. I talked to him for about 2 hours or so last night. It’s funny, and very unlike me, but I am just enjoying his friendship. I like the royal treatment that he gives me as a date, but I really don’t want to have a physical relationship (and I mean just cuddling and kissing) or I’d be stuck; and I’m ready to be a free woman with no ties.