KindTeach:   o, yes, hello 
          ALawyer:     excuse me but..... 
          ALawyer:     why did you leave so fast 
          KindTeach:   a little shy i guess 
          ALawyer:     do you want to chat 
          KindTeach:   sure, why not <s> 

     It started out just that simple.  He found out that her name was Melissa.  She was a kindergarten teacher in a school just outside of Baltimore.  At thirty-three, she seemed confident, intelligent, and personable; all of which came through in their conversation.  Alex was delighted to discover that she lived only a few hours up the main highway from his own hometown of Wilmington. 
     After about a better part of an hour of chatting with her, he asked if he might have her e-mail address.  She gave it to him without hesitation and he promised to drop her a line just as soon as he could.  They said their ‘byes' and she was the first to sign-off a few moments later.  Alex continued to surf for a little while longer but found himself thinking only of his newfound friend.  He logged-off and turned in for the evening. 
     In the meantime, Melissa amazed herself that she had so freely given him her address.  She had been asked to do this by other men that she came across while on-line, but had promised herself that she would never give it out; so why was this Alex so different?  Unlike most of the others who had been blatantly vulgar, he had behaved himself and remained polite.  Furthermore, he was easy to talk to and she took note of how comfortable she had felt while they were chatting.  The one thing that really impressed her was that he did not ask her for a physical description.  It seemed to her that he was the kind of man who cared more about the inner-person than he did the outer-packaging. 
     Early the next morning, Melissa checked her mailbox just as she had done countless times before.  The envelope-shaped icon appeared and the internet voice announced that she had new mail.  To her delight, she found that a message from an Alex Henry was listed with a few pieces of incoming e-mail.  She clicked it open and began to read..... 

"dear melissa...i really enjoyed our chat together tonight...i hope you did too...you seem to be very nice and i would like to talk to you again as soon as possible...will you be on line tomorrow evening...if so then what time...please drop me a note to let me know...that is if you are interested...i hope you are...thank you...sincerely...alex (aka alawyer)" 

     It was a simple note.  What made her smile was the obvious indication that he had written it right after they had finished chatting the night before.  He hadn't wasted any time to write her and she thought it to be a very sweet thing to do in spite of it's simplicity. 
     She quickly jotted off a note to him to say that she would be on the internet somewhere around 9 p.m., hoping that it would be a good time for him too. 
     On that day, Melissa Combs faced seventeen energetic five-year-olds realizing that she was smiling inside the whole time.  It was so strange,  she thought, to actually look forward to a chat with a man that she knew so little about. A man who was little more than a shadow behind some words that had appeared on her monitor screen. 
     Meanwhile, Alex was involved in an unusually hectic day at the courthouse and was beginning to feel tired from the stress.  As one who had become acclimated to the fast-moving pace of the legal profession, he had learned to make himself take momentary mental breaks as a coping device to deal with the normal pressures of his work.  Each time he did this on this particular day, he found himself thinking about the kindergarten teacher he had chatted with the night before.  He wondered if she had taken his e-mail to her seriously. 
     He made sure to sign-on early that evening to make sure that he would not miss her.  It was 8:45 p.m. and he made his way to the singles room where they had met the night before.  There he waited in the attic as he watched the jabber and kibitzing of those who had already gathered there.  It's strange how a quarter of an hour can go by so slowly when you are anxiously waiting for a special someone. 
     At almost the exact moment the digital clock at the bottom of his screen hit the top of the hour the greeter announced that "KindTeach" had entered the room.  He immediately clicked his instant message button and typed in..... 

          ALawyer:     so glad u r here 
          KindTeach:   hi <s> 
          KindTeach:   so glad you invited me 
          ALawyer:     Melissa 
          KindTeach:   yes 
          ALawyer:     how did your day go 

     She paused for a moment to look at what he had just typed on her screen.  The night before she had been so impressed that he had not asked her to describe herself.  Now, this same man was showing an interest in the everyday things of her life.  His gentle and caring spirit intrigued her all the more. 

          KindTeach:    a little boy kissed me today 
          ALawyer:      oh, really 
          KindTeach:    and then he handed me a card..... 
          KindTeach:    that he made..... 
          KindTeach:    and colored himself 
          ALawyer:      what did it say 
          KindTeach:    I Love You Miss Combs 
          ALawyer:    smart kid <s> 

     Their chats soon became a nightly occurrence.  Hours passed by quickly as they shared their thoughts and lives with each other.  He would tell her as much as possible about the daily happenings at the law firm and she would share cute little anecdotes about the children she taught.  They spoke of the history of their backgrounds, their philosophies of life, and even their religious and political views.  It seemed that the more they told each other, the more they had in common.  Yet, there not one time that either asked a physical description of the other.  Connections between two people in Chatville can develop into relationships even though the faces remain hidden behind words. 
     There was only one time when Melissa tried to bait Alex. 

          KindTeach:   got my hair done today 
          ALawyer:     great <s> 
          KindTeach:   want to know what color it is 
          ALawyer:     it really doesn't matter 
          KindTeach:   are you sure 
          ALawyer:     beauty is in the eye of the beholder <s> 

     She couldn't believe it.  He had walked right by it.  She had given him an opportunity to inquire as to what she looked like and he had ignored it–or at least evaded it.  Of course, she thought, it does work both ways.  Perhaps he is not a very good looking man himself and is avoiding a query into her features so that he would not have to explain his own.  Although, that thought quickly left her as she read his response to her next question. 

          KindTeach:   want to know what i look like 
          ALawyer:     i already know what you look like 
          KindTeach:   you do? 
           KindTeach:   what do I look like 
          ALawyer:     here is Melissa..... 
          ALawyer:     sweet..... 
          ALawyer:     caring..... 
          ALawyer:     intelligent..... 
          ALawyer:     loves kids..... 
          ALawyer:    likes a certain attorney <s>..... 
          ALawyer:    easy to talk to..... 
          ALawyer:    a beautiful heart..... 
          ALawyer:    a lovely soul..... 
          ALawyer:    i see you very clearly 

     Melissa's keyboard was speechless.  There was only silence marked by a long pause.  The next line of words appeared on her monitor and asked..... 

          ALawyer:    r u there 
          KindTeach:  speechless 
          KindTeach:  thank you <s> 
          ALawyer:    <s> 

     Alex knew by her response that he had connected with her heart.  He wanted to reach across the miles and touch it for just a moment and now he knew that he had succeeded. 
     The kindergarten teacher went to sleep that night knowing that her lawyer was indeed a very sweet man; a very handsome man.  Perhaps beauty should be more appropriately placed in the "mind" of the beholder rather than just the eye. 
     It was Alex who first asked.  He was going to be in her area to do some research on a case he was working on.  He wanted to know if there would be any chance of their finally meeting each other face to face. 
     At first, Melissa was somewhat fearful of the idea.  The little place where they shared this pleasant internet relationship might be threatened if they were to meet and end up not really like each other.  As it was, she had been frustrated before in her past relationships because of her looks.  Although, a rendevous with a stranger might prove to be an exciting experience, it also might take away the innocency of what they had so far enjoyed together.  Then there was always the possibility that a disappointment on either side might bring the whole thing to a halt.  It seemed to her to be somewhat of a risky thing, but she could not escape  sensing that it was the natural and logical next step.  She would tell him that a meeting would be very nice, but it would have to be on her terms. 
     Melissa's next e-mail to Alex suggested that they meet at a large mall in a nearby suburb of Baltimore.  It was just off of an exit on the same highway that he would be traveling on to conduct his business.  She went on to write him that she would be sitting on a bench at the inside entrance of one of the department stores there.  Perhaps they could then enjoy a lunch at one of the mall restaurants.  She asked him to give her an idea as to what time he could be there.  The only means of identification she gave him was that she would be wearing a pewter cat pin on her collar.  Other than that, he had no other description of what she might look like. 
     As they chatted on-line that night, they decided to meet at noontime.  He told her that he would be wearing a dark blue pin-stripe suit with a burgundy and blue tie.  The anticipation was beginning to build for both of them. 

     The drive down Highway 95 was a tense one for Alex.  This whole thing seemed so out of the ordinary.  In a little while he would be putting a face to an internet nickname; one that he had already, as strange as it seemed to even him, come to have some feelings for. 
     As he pulled into the mall parking lot, he wondered if she might already be there waiting for him.  The realization that she was this close made his pulse quicken.  Suspense has a way of jangling the nerves. 
     Since they had agreed to meet at noon, Alex hurriedly walked into the mall rotunda as it was already a few minutes past the hour.  As he neared the spot where they were to meet he noticed the figure of a woman sitting on a bench with her back facing him.  He was immediately attracted to the beautiful frock of long shoulder-length brunette hair that fell from her head to her shoulders in rows of tight little curls.  Could this be Melissa? 
      Not being sure if it was her, he decided to take the long way around so that he could approach her from the front.  Making a sudden change in direction, he accidentally bumped into a rather large man and quickly excused himself.  His nervousness was showing and he didn't know what to do to control it.  He stopped for a moment, took a deep breath, and told himself to get a grip.   This was not going to be easy. 
     As he made his way toward the brunette, he began to see her features more clearly.  She was slender and quite attractive.  In fact, she was absolutely gorgeous.  Framed within that beautiful head of hair was a very attractive looking face.  Her large eyes and full lips caused him to stare unconsciously at her as he slowly walked toward her.  She was wearing a soft looking beige dress that covered a very feminine figure.  His heart was pounding as he tried to think of what to say to her by way of introduction. 
     Just as he was about to announce himself, the lady stood up, picked up her purse, and walked right by him.  She didn't even look at him as she passed.  Alex quickly glanced at her collar and noticed that she was not wearing the pewter pin.  Disappointment has a way of calming the nerves. 
     A long sigh escaped his lungs and, after shrugging his shoulders, he regrouped. 
     Knowing that Melissa must be nearby, he quickly scanned the area to see if there might be another woman sitting alone in one of the nearby benches.  His eyes fell upon a pudgy little gal who was busying herself  eating chocolates out of a little white paper bag.  Her small face was rather plain and the two-piece dress suit she was wearing looked to be a little scrumpy.  Just to make sure that it wasn't Melissa, he made a bee-line to the bench where she was sitting.  He looked down at her and there, on her collar, was the pewter pin in the shape of a cat. 
     By now, his nerves had completely disappeared. 
     "Melissa, is that you?" he asked. 
     The woman set her bag of candy down on the bench beside her and stood to shake his hand. 
     "Hello, Alex.  I'm so happy to finally meet you." she replied.  "Say, I'm hungry already.  What do you say we go get something to eat." 
     As they walked through the mall toward the restaurant, he tried to remind himself of the perception that he had of her.  She had turned out to be a rather ordinary looking woman but he was still impressed with Melissa's inner beauty.  They said little to each other until the hostess seated them at a booth. 
     He smiled when she ordered a super burger, a double order of fries, and a diet soda. 
     Her bubbly personality and happy disposition proved to be the source of her attractiveness.  She also had an infectious laugh that came easy.  Every time she smiled, her eyes lit up and a cute little dimple appeared off to the side of one of her cheeks.  Her style of conversation was very animated and full of expression.  Alex found himself to be comfortable and relaxed with this marvelous lady.  It was if they were two old friends who had known each other for a very long time. 
     When the waitress brought their food order, Melissa asked her for directions to the ladies room.  After excusing herself, she trotted off leaving him to his hot beef sandwich.  Alone with his thoughts, he decided that he liked her. 
     Within a few minutes she returned and they began to talk about their having met on the internet.  He noticed that the little cat pin was no longer on her collar.  It was rather oversized and it had obviously served it's purpose.  Anyhow, the gold chain necklace that she replaced it with looked much nicer. 
     As their conversation continued, he was surprised to find that she knew little about computers other than to sign-on and click her mouse.  Alex couldn't resist.  With a sober expression, he told her that he had recently broken his mouse so he bought a new one.  He went on to say that he was able to return it and get a full refund because it gave the old one ‘mouse-to-mouse resuscitation'.   There was a short moment of silence and then she burst out with laughter.  He was so tickled by her response that he found himself laughing just as hard with her. 
     For the next half of an hour they joked, laughed, and teased each other. Alex found himself beginning to be taken in by her charm and good natured spirit.  He determined in his mind that this kindergarten teacher was everything he had hoped for and perhaps even a little more. 
     After finishing a dessert of fudge-covered chocolate ice cream, she seemed to want to change the mood of the conversation.  As a matter of fact, she became very serious.  It seemed important for her to know whether or not he wanted to see her again, to see if he was interested in pursuing the relationship. 
     Without a moment's hesitation, Alex smiled and told her that he would really look forward  to seeing her again.  In fact, he suggested that the next time ought to be a real date with a nice dinner and perhaps an evening of dancing afterwards. 
     A look of delight spread across her face. 
     "Alex," she said, "you are a very sweet man and I have a confession that I have to make to you."
     She quietly reached into her purse and pulled out a small folded piece of pink note paper and scooted it across the tabletop toward him.  With a cute little grin on her face, she motioned for him to open it. 
     Inside was this little note..... 

"Dear Alex, 
     The lady sitting across from you is my Aunt Sally.  She agreed to help me today because she cares about me and wanted to make sure that I did not come alone to meet you. 
     I was concerned that, upon your finally meeting me, you might only like me for the way that I look and not really care about the person that I am inside.  This is why she stood in for me. 
     If you are reading this note it means that she has gotten a nod from me.  Please forgive me for doing this but I had to make sure. 
     I have been watching and listening to you the whole time.  I hope that you still want to meet the real person who has come to care about you very much. 
     I am sitting in the booth directly behind you. 
     Love, 
     Melissa" 

     As he turned around, the beautiful woman seated behind him flashed a big smile.  Her head was covered with shoulder-length curly brunette hair and on her collar there was a pewter pin in the shape of a cat.