Bare Naked Date

This is A fictional short story about the Barenaked Ladies and me, Using Their Song Titles.

Note: All words written in Bold are 'Bare Naked Ladies' Songs

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When my phone rang I almost didn't answer it.  I was enjoying a quiet, relaxed evening with my husband.  But, I did answer it.  I hate to miss out on anything.  It was my best friend Jane.  

She had great news.  A friend of a friend of an Alternative Girlfriend got us backstage tickets to see the BareNaked Ladies.  Well, goodbye hubby, goodbye quiet relaxed evening!  Hello City!  We were leaving in fifteen minutes to get to downtown Boston so that we could see one of my favorite bands.

I took the quickest shower in history.   I checked on my sleeping son, gave my parrot, Pollywog In A Blog, a treat and kissed my husband on the top of his head and still made it in The Car within fifteen minutes.

On the way to the concert, my friend and I chatted Intermittently during all of our favorite BareNaked Ladies songs on the cd playing in my car. 

The excitement escalated the minute we were inside the Fleet Center.  We met up with the friend who gave us passes and ushered us backstage into a room. Odds Are something would go wrong and we'd never get to meet them.

A few moments later, to my surprise, the band members came in and introduced themselves to us.  Ed started to chat with me and until that moment,  I had never had a favorite.  We clicked immediately.  He asked me to wait for him after the show that night. He stated that he wanted to spend more time with me.  I was stunned. Me?  Why me? 

"You Will Be Waiting?" he asked.

Waiting?  As if he should even have to question me.  Waiting?  I would stand here waiting for One Week if he asked. I needed my friend to Pinch Me to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

The concert was fantastic.  Though I didn't pay too much attention to what was happening around me. I was entirely focused on meeting up with Ed afterward.

At the finish of their show, I waited backstage, in the spot Ed had left me in.  I watched as he sauntered over to me, my heart fluttering wildly.  He smiled and took my hand.  "I'm so happy you waited," his smile could Light Up My Room.  "Something about the way we connected earlier, I didn't want to let you go."

I wanted so badly to shout "Am I The Only One you've felt this way with?" But I remained calm on the outside and tightened my hand in his, "I agree we do connect." The words came out so calmly as if It's All Been Done Before."  

Ed drove to a small out of the way restaurant that was closed to the public but open to us. He reached across the table for my hand.  "This is Some Fantastic dream being here with you.  I've been looking for a girl like you all my life."

I found myself responding, "I"ll Be That Girl." as my smiled dipped a little.  I had completely forgotten about my husband. Was I insane? Yes, Ed was captivating and great to talk with but I had a husband, a very nice husband, back at The Old Apartment who is a Great Provider and a great father.

I found myself withdrawing my hand from Ed's. "I'm sorry, Ed.  I don't want to Break Your Heart but I'm married." Imagine me breaking his heart?

Ed poured some red wine into my glass and picked up his own to make a toast.  "When I Fall, I fall hard.  I hate that you are already taken.   Do me a favor, my taken one, When You Dream will you promise me you'll dream of me?"

I raised the Alcohol to my lips as I drank in his words.  When I dream?  Who Needs Sleep?  I'm going to stay awake and remember this night for the rest of my life.  I sipped my wine.  "Yes, I'll dream of you.  May I ask something of you before I Leave?" And without waiting for his answer, I asked, "could you sing me just a Little Tiny Song before we part?"

On the drive back to my own car, Ed sang Duct Tape Heart to me.  I reached over and gave Ed a soft kiss on his cheek. "What A Good Boy," I said softly, then covered my mouth with my hand. Did I Say That Out Loud? 

Letting myself into my apartment, I tiptoed over to my husband who had fallen asleep on the couch, most likely trying to wait up for me.  I covered him with a blanket and kissed his head and realized that Everything Old Is New Again.  My husband opened his eyes and smiled up at me.  I knew I was where I should be. 

Well, that is my Life, In A Nutshell.

copyright 2002 ~ Rosemary Minafo

~~ Thanks for reading!