Finding the Woo by Shelly Knox

Finding the Woo

by Shelly Knox

Sarah sighed as the corner of her mouth turned up a delicate smile. Social Magazine released her first print article yesterday. The editorial group purchased her feature to replace a previous choice slated for this issue. The editor told Sarah her article was refreshing. Her pink nail ran across her by-line for the umpteenth time, as goosebumps peppered her arms. Sarah didn’t think anyone would purchase an outdated view on how the Millennials and Generation-Zs handle courtship; compared to the Lost Generation and the GI Generation, let alone be thrilled! She’d just enjoy it if the spotlight helped her find someone a little quirky like herself. Because, truth be told, she yearned for the courtship of those generations—when a man put forth the effort to woo a woman. She slipped the magazine into her satchel and headed off to her writer’s group meeting. Sitting in the overstuffed winged chair in the corner of the host's family room, Sarah let the steam of the lemon tea infuse her senses then took a sip. The tea soothed her throat as the sourness of the lemon ignited her taste buds. Several new faces stood out as the warmth of the chair’s fabric cuddled her. Jon opened the meeting. His loud, growly voice was a contrast to the short, effeminate man that stood before them each week. He introduced several new members; Gabbie, Mikaela, and Sam. Each new member stood up and shared a little of their biography; and the rest shared a brief reading of their writings since the last meeting. When Sam commenced, the smooth baritone of his voice caused Sarah’s heart to catch as their gaze locked. It may have only lasted a second, or two, but it was enough for the silver glitter to brighten his indigo-blue eyes. After a brief pause, he finished his short biography. Sarah didn't know what happened. He didn't look familiar, it wasn't what he said; but it was as if she recognized his voice, the deep notes seized her retrospection and promised more.

After the meeting, Sam approached her. “I know this is an old line, but have we met before?” He proffered his hand toward hers. His grip was gentle, just the right pressure. “It is a very old line, but I had thought the same during your introduction.” She finished stuffing her notebook and writing instruments into her satchel. After slinging his backpack over one shoulder, Sam asked, “I don’t mean to be forward, but, is there any chance I can take you for a cup of coffee so we can figure out where we met? It’s driving me nuts!” “I’d like that. There’s a nice place just a couple of miles from here called the Writer’s Nook. It’s a combination bookstore, coffee shop, and deli. I can give you directions and meet you there.” Sam agreed.

An hour later, still deep in conversation with Sam, Sarah had about given up. Neither of them could find a reason why both thought they knew each other. “It’s obvious! We met in a previous lifetime.” She pulled her notebook from her satchel and a copy of Social Magazine slipped out, falling to the table. Sam picked up the magazine. I just read a fantastic article in this issue. It’s called, Missing the Woo. He flipped his fingers through the pages, found the article, and then folded the magazine in half showing it to Sarah. After a second, he glanced up and said, “You’re the author!” “I use a Pseudonym. How did you know?” “Your voice, your word usage, the tempo of the article; I remember because I read this article several times. It’s a great article and you nailed what’s missing in the dating world—both from the male and female side.” The heat burned Sarah’s cheeks which embarrassed her even more. If she didn’t tap down her self consciousness, her cheeks would be a new color of red no one had ever seen. “Would you like to go for a little walk in the park across the street. I need to move a little. I’m stiff from sitting for so long. We can toss our stuff in the car.”

“Sure, a walk sounds perfect.” A half an hour passed hardly noticed. Sarah and Sam had kept each other laughing as they talked about their dating disasters. “All right, enough with the disasters. Tell me your best date,” Sam said as he took her hand in his and helped her up a rocky path.

“No, you’ll laugh—and not in a good way.” Sarah watched his dark brown eyebrows arch over his skeptical, deep, blue eyes that sparkled with specks of diamonds. Electrical quivers scuttled through every nerve ending the length of her spine. She froze as the déjà vu enveloped her. Finally, after a couple of seconds, he shrugged and said, “Come on. I’ll tell mine afterward— and trust me, I have to go so far into my past ….”

“Somehow I doubt that, but here goes. It wasn’t just one date, really. I was thirteen and didn’t fit in with any of the clicks in junior high. Yet, my neighbor and friend since pre-school and I were perfect for each other. We liked all the same things. Writing, reading, long walks … he even read me poetry!” Sarah’s thoughts drifted back ... She stopped walking. “His name was, Sam. Although his dad always called him …” “Jackson," he interrupted. “How did you know?” Sarah really looked at him, remembered all the familiar notions that crawled along her memories and raised the hair on the back of her neck. The strong sense she knew him that had overwhelmed her … She took in a sharp breath. “Sam?” “You’re Sarah Mitchell!” in his. His blue eyes answered her question before she could ask, but she asked anyway. “Sam? Is it really you?”

"It’s been almost twenty years. I thought I’d lost you forever when my Dad transferred oversees. It’s so great to see you, to see my best friend again,” he paused as his eyes looked down at the ground, his hand stuffed into his front pocket and his mouth squinted to the side. “Of course, I always wanted more. I wanted to ask you to junior prom.” “Then why did you set me up with all those blind dates? All I ever wanted was to date you.” Her dimples dug deep into her cheeks as she laughed. “I wanted you to know how beautiful you are and that it wasn’t only me who knew it. Maybe we can start again, and I can woo you the way you deserve to be wooed.”

The End

Shelly Knox has published over two-dozen short stories in National Magazines. In 2003, she took a break from writing to obtain her MBA in Healthcare Management. While she climbed the Department of Veterans Affairs’ career ladder in Research Oversight, she made time to obtain an MFA in Creative Writing. Retired now, Michelle has restarted her writing career, publishing three books: Twin Deceptions, Death Wore White and Betrayed. Her next book, Snatch and Grab will debut early 2021. Michelle lives in Georgia with her two Shelties. She hopes you enjoy her stories as much as she loves weaving them. Visit her at