June 2nd

Today started like any other day. I got up as usual. Went through the morning routine without a hitch. Ate breakfast with Dad and called around to see if anyone wanted to do anything. No one was available so I took it upon myself to entertain myself. I went walking around downtown to explore the shops. Antique and vintage stores are my favorties. Marcy's Vintage Clothing and Costume Shop caught my eye as I was walking down Douglas. Veering towards the door, I went inside. It was filled with hats, garments and little knick-knacks and bric-a-brac. I began to browse when I noticed a gentleman staring at me from across the shop. He was standing at the counter talking to the clerk with a friendliness that bespoke a long cordial relationship. I quickly averted my eyes and keep perusing the shop. I spotted a hat on one of the upper shelves that looked perfect for my outfit that I was wearing. I struggled to reach it but I found I came up just a few inches short. Turning to ask the clerk for assistance, I found the gentleman who had be blatantly staring at me earlier already reaching up and plucking the hat off the shelf for me.

"Thank you."

I turned away and headed for a mirror to try out the hat. He followed and stood behind me as I tried it on.

"Nice taste."

His deep bass voice with it's blatantly Irish brogue threw me a little off balance. I turned to face him and got my first good look at him since I had walked in. Bright blue eyes stared into my own. A wry smile canted about his mouth and his tousled, black hair was falling in his face. Dressed in a suit, he didn't look like I had always pictured an Irishman to look. I tried to get past the constriction in my throat and reply but I think I just succeeded in looking very frightened. Smiling, he stuck out a hand and introduced himself as Murphy MacGureen. I was frozen. Rooted to the spot. My mind made my hand move and shake his own. My mouth was trying to form an introduction but the only words I could come up with were "I love you." Now where did that come from? Here I've hardly even met the guy and I'm already confessing my love? What is wrong with me? So instead of confessing my undying love to the Irishman I had just met- I placed the hat on a shelf and bolted for the door. As soon as I was outside, I began acting normal again. Except for the shaking. I had to sit down because my knees wouldn't hold me up any longer.

I pulled out my cell phone and called the only person I knew was home. "Logan? You won't believe what just happened!" I proceeded to tell him the whole sorry story and by the time I was half-way through, he was laughing so hard, he couldn't hear me anymore.

"Omygod! You are such an idiot! You finally meet an Irish guy and you blunder it totally! HA! Aww but look on the bright side, at least you made a first impression"

"Oh shut up! It's not like you are used to meeting Irish people everyday"

" No, but I would have definately handled it better than you!" The laughing continued until I felt my legs could hold me long enough for the journey to my car. Jeez, my best friend thinks it's hilarious and I'm mortified. What else is next? I went home and locked myself in my room until around 8, at which time, I emerged to find dinner.

I procured dinner and took it downstairs into my cave/room. I decided to write in you about this because well... I have no one else to really confide in that will listen and not laugh... like Logan. Well it's getting late. I'm heading to bed so I can gather enough courage to go back to Marcy's tomorrow and buy that hat that I liked but left. I'm kind of hoping I run into that Murphy guy again. Maybe this time I won't be rude and will actually say something to him.

Arianna