Mac the Matchmaker by Gerri Brousseau

Before we get into my short story, I must tell you the Nights of Passion CONTEST, featuring the work of Fire Glass Artist Jaclyn Sinkewicz, and Birthday party originally scheduled to post today has been postponed.  But fear not, the big party and contest will be happen on Saturday, February 18th.  Be sure to stop by then to join in the celebration.  In the meantime, Happy Valentine's Day.

ALSO, Saturday will be the debut of NIGHTS OF PASSION – YOUNG ADULT.  Please stop by for an interview with Young Adult Author, PJ Sharon.

Today, I'm going to tell you a short story about Mac the Matchmaker.  I hope you enjoy it.

My name is MacGyver, yeah, just like the guy on that TV show, but the woman I live with calls me Mac.  She's a pretty girl named Emily and I love her with all my heart, but recently on my daily outing in the park I have seen someone who has captured my interest.  She's young and beautiful and I can't take my eyes off of her.  My heart races at the sight of her as she runs toward me with her long, red hair blowing in the breeze.  I stare, almost drooling, as she rushes past me in her attempt to keep up with him, the man she jogs with everyday.  Last week as they ran past me I overheard him call her Molly.  I must find a way to get the lovely Molly into my life.  Today when I see her in the park, I'll make my move.

"Come on Mac, let's go over to the park for some exercise." Emily said.

This is my chance to get Molly's attention, I thought as I got up and followed Emily to the door.

We walked the one block to the park in silence, but when we got there I could hardly contain my excitement at the prospect of finally catching Molly's eye.  And I didn't have long to wait.

"Molly, slow down," He yelled and I held my breath as they came running around the corner.  I was literally panting with anticipation and then, there she was running right toward me.  It was as if I were watching her in slow motion as she trotted toward me with her glorious red hair gleaming in the sun and flowing out behind her.  This was it, my moment of indecision.  What if she doesn't like me, I thought.  My feet felt like they were cemented to the ground.  This is your chance, Mac, I told myself.  It's now or never.   As she ran past me, I gathered up my courage and pulling away from Emily, I fell into place running alongside the beautiful Molly.

"Mac!  Mac, where are you going?" Emily called out after me, but I couldn't stop myself.  This was my big chance.  I had the slightest twinge of guilt at not even taking a look back toward Emily as I trotted beside Molly.  But that feeling vanished as soon as Molly glanced over at me playfully, and almost challengingly, as she increased her pace.  I kept up with her as we rounded the corner and took off racing through the grass.  I could hardly contain myself as we rushed across the rolling green lawns past the trees and colorful gardens.

"Molly, stop," the man called out.  She slowed her pace and a cloud of worry furrowed her brow as she glanced over her shoulder toward the voice in the distance.  Slower still, she eventually came to a stop and I stopped beside her.

What must Emily be thinking, I wondered.  I hope she isn't angry with me.  I didn't know what to think as Emily ran up to me, panting and out of breath.  He was with her and he didn't look too happy either.

"I'm terribly sorry," Emily said to the man as she bend down and grabbed my leash.  "I don't know what's gotten into him."

"No harm done, looks like they just want to be friends." He answered.

Friends, I thought.  I could spend the rest of my life running with Molly.  I had to do something.  Think fast, Mac.  What would your namesake do, I asked myself.  When the idea hit me, I took off running in a tight circle winding my leash around their legs pulling them together.  Molly picked up on the idea, or maybe she was just eager to play, but she started to run around the couple in the opposite direction.

"Oh, Mac … stop that!" Emily giggled.  And before long they were both laughing.

That was the day Emily met Ted.  Ever since then we have all become great friends.  Emily and Ted spent a lot of time together, not only running with Molly and me in the park, but doing a lot of other things … you know, people things.  Some time had passed, but I can't really tell you exactly how long, because as you know dogs really have no sense of time, but they did something a lot of people do, they got married.  Molly and I went to the wedding and sort of gave our own vows to each other.  Yeah, we've settled down together too and I'm proud to say we are expecting puppies soon.  But the family just keeps growing.  Yesterday I overheard Emily telling Ted the stork was coming.  Why anyone would want a stork is beyond me.  But we're one big happy family and they owe it all to me, Mac, the Matchmaker.

Filed under: romance