This is a work of fiction. All characters are over 18 years of age.
Should enough interest be there, a part 2 might happen for Carl and Nina.
***
Carl had to make a parts run to the local hardware store. He didn't realize that he had missed some items from his list. Without them he'd would be stuck until the store re-opened after the holidays.
As he got to the hardware store, another car was ahead of him in the turning lane. Guess they needed some hardware also, he thought.
Both cars made their turn in and parked. Carl hadn't paid any attention to the other driver. Why would he? They were driving civilized, which was nice. Carl really hated driving with jerks.
She got out of her car. Carl glanced her way, and figured she was late 40's, maybe early 50's. Very nicely dressed. The dress was above the knee, bluish in color with flowers, 3 or 4 inch heels, and what looked like beautiful breasts. Her auburn hair was very neatly curled, and was a beautiful accent to her face.
Carl was parked closer to the door, and made it there first. Being the gentleman he was, he opened it for her. She was a few steps behind, smiled at me and said "Thank You" as she entered the store.
Carl was thinking 'I'm impressed.' "You're welcome Ma'am" was his reply.
He headed over to the hardware section; she had went the opposite direction. Getting to where the needed hardware would be, he started digging through the parts bin, looking for the stuff on his list.
Hearing the voice again, "Excuse me..." she said.
Carl was so engrossed in looking that he hadn't heard her walk up.
"Oh, hello again." he said to her.
"Hi, " she replied. She reached out, and put a folded note in his pocket-t shirt pocket. Upon accomplishing her task, she walked away before he could say anything.
Carl reached into his shirt pocket to retrieve the note.
There were two things written on the note. The name "Nina", and a phone number.
Was she wanting to hook up with him?
He re-folded the note and stuck it back in the pocket. It took another 10 minutes to find the rest of the hardware he needed.
On his way up to the front to pay, this mystery woman was on his mind. 'Was that her name?' He wondered. 'What did she want? Damn, she was hot enough.'
The cashier rang up the purchase. Carl paid, and headed out of the store to his car. When he got to it, he looked around to see if she was still there or not, but he didn't see her car.
Carl got in and put his parts down in the other seat. He was about to put the key in the ignition when his voice said 'You should call her.' Was he being overly cautious about this? It's not every day a woman sticks a phone number in your shirt. In fact, it was the only time in his 45 years that a woman ever stuck her number in his shirt.
He reached in to the pocket and retrieved the note. Her handwriting was very elegant and neat. Looking at the name "Nina"... and raking his brain; he knew of no "Nina's". He pulled his smart phone out of his pants pocket, and Googled the number. Nothing. Hmmm...
Should he call? Carl sat and thought about it.
Curiosity won the battle. 'What would it hurt to call?' he reasoned.
He keyed in the number on the phone. A couple of rings, and he hears a "Hello?" that matched her voice.
"Hi Ms. Nina. You just put your number in my shirt pocket a little while ago."
"I was wondering if you would call me or not. Yes, it was very forward of me to do that. But you had manners, and that spoke volumes about you." She said.
"Thank you Ms. Nina. I would hope my Mother's influence in my upbringing would do me some good some day," Carl replied.
Nina laughed. "I'm so glad that your Mother did such an excellent job. What is your name?"
"Oh," he thought ... damn it... should have introduced himself. "My name is Carl."
"It is very nice to meet you Carl", she said. Carl could detect a slight bit of an accent, but couldn't quite place it. "I didn't see a wedding ring. Do I take it that you are single?"
"Yes, ma'am. I happen to be single."
"Good. Is it good, Carl?" she asked.
"It is Ms. Nina. I'm fond of thinking that everything that happens, happens for a reason."
"Well, Carl, sounds like you may be on to something there."
'Now what was that supposed to mean,' he wondered.
"Do you know where the parking garage is across the street?"
"Yes, I do," Carl replied
"There is a restaurant right across the street. Park in the restaurant's lot."
"But ..." he started to say when Nina cut him off.
"No buts, Carl. I'll be right there to collect you." Then the phone made the line disconnection tone.
Carl sat there with phone in hand and thought about it. He didn't know what to think, or what to to make of it. And at this point, nor what to do about it.
That part of his mind won out again.
Carl drove down the street and pulled into the restaurant's parking lot. He shut the engine off, and noticed motion off to the left side. Looking over, it was Nina in her car. He put her number back in his shirt, slid his phone back his pants pocket.
He got out, locked up, and opened her passenger door.
"Hello again Carl." she said.