From there they had tons of fun sending photos. Faith said she would send two or three a week, and he checked email incessantly until they came in. He wasn’t really good at this “sexy selfie” thing, so he just emulated her. If she took a picture of her bare shoulder, he took one of his. If she was standing in her underwear, so was he. If she had a hand on a hip, he did too. They agreed to never show anything above the neck because she said, “You know what my face looks like. Now it’s time to get to know my body,” and he thought that was a great idea.
It went on like this for more than a month. He would watch Channel 9 at night with his parents, who had no clue what was happening between him and Faith. But both his mom and dad were fans of Faith. “She’s as cute as a button,” his mother had said more than once. “And that earring forecast is clever.”
“Yeah, I never thought no one could replace Jack but she’s a good one they got over there,” his dad offered.
“Do you like her forecasts?” his mom asked, turning to Steve.
“Aww, she’s all right,” he lied.
Meanwhile, he was having a ball emailing sexy things withFaith but he also started to get frustrated that they couldn’t meet. He asked her for that first date multiple times but she always had an excuse or said she wanted to keep sending pictures.
Then one night she announced on the air that the whole weather team would be at an R&B festival Saturday with the Storm Chaser vehicle. The four meteorologists planned to greet people and sign autographs.
He decided to surprise her.
He put on his best jean shorts and clean white socks, plus he asked his mother to iron a polo shirt for him.
“Where are you going, Stevie?” she asked.
“Just out,” he replied, and she looked happy. He knew his parents were always pleased to see him leaving the house.
At the festival he ignored the food and music and beelined straight to the queue of viewers waiting to see the weather team. Matthew, Abby, and Chuck were there along with Faith. The line was long plus Steve was anxious, so he pushed his way past an older couple about midway through the line, telling them he had to cut because he was in a hurry. They glared at him.
As he got closer to Faith he felt his excitement rise. She was going to be thrilled to see him! A boyfriend who comes out to show you support! A boyfriend who surprises you!
She was standing at the end of the line of the four meteorologists, next to Matthew. She looked so good, in shorts and another station-issued polo shirt. She was saying “Thank you for watching Channel 9” to each person but he knew he would get something else. He imagined her eyes widening when she saw him and her mouth opening in shock. He figured she would whisper, “Steve! Wait for me when I’m done,” or something like that.
He did a perfunctory handshake with Chuck, Abby, and Matthew and he was next to get to Faith. He waited for her to finish with the woman in front of him and then to catch his eye.
Her gaze slid over to him but she showed no recognition as she put her hand out and said, “Hi, thank you for watching Channel 9.”
What?!He was tongue-tied. Why was she acting like this? She must not recognize him right off the bat.
“It’s me, Steve,” he said. She looked blank. He tried again.
“Steve.Your boyfriend. We’ve been having fun with the pictures.”
Faith looked uncomfortable. Matthew glanced over at the two of them.
“Uh, OK, hi, Steve,” she said. “Thank you for watching Channel 9.”
Then she was on to the couple behind him and he was being pushed to the side. He slunk away, confused and humiliated, and when he looked back he saw Matthew staring at him.
Finding a spot under a tree, Steve watched Faith until the line dwindled to nothing. He was thinking that he would talk to her again after the event and try to figure out why she was acting so aloof. Yet, as soon as it was over, Faith, Matthew, Abby, and Chuck all got into the Storm Tracker and drove away. He didn’t have a chance to get close to her. Pulling out his phone, he fired off an email right there.
What’s going on? You were acting like you don’t know me today.
It wasn’t until that night that he got a response.
I’m sorry, honey. I just didn’t want Matthew and the others to know about us.
Oh, OK, that made sense. He guessed he could forgive her, but if they were going to be boyfriend and girlfriend they also needed to step out in public at some point, so he tried again.
Want to go to Applebee’s tomorrow?
She didn’t reply, and the next day he tried yet again, asking the same question. Still no response. He was baffled and angry and was about to tell her that when she finally wrote.
You know what would be even better for me for now? Can you follow me home at night in your car and come out to every event I am at to be sure I’m safe? There’s a weird dude stalking me and I would love your protection. I will email you my schedule of events.
