A Tail of Two Ricans

In the mist of axes, chains, bloody rats, and devilish attire, I saw a young man who took my breath away. He was tall, dark, and handsome - You're thinking quite the cliche, but it's true. He had long, wavy hair that reached his shoulders and dark mysterious eyes. I was awestruck at the sight of this man. I was also deeply concerned about my appearance. You see, I was wearing bunny rabbit ears, with a tee that had a huge white star, black jeans, and a vampire cape. No I am not a loony, I was working at a Halloween shop in the local mall.

As I began re-stacking masquerade masks to their proper places, I saw that one of my fellow co-workers began talking to this handsome stranger. They were chit-chatting for awhile, but to my dismay there were no looks my way. Stupid rabbit ears! As I continued stacking masks, I noticed a costume on the floor that needed to be put away. I nervously carried the costume just behind the rack of costumes they were standing in front of. As I made my way back to the masquerade section, the co-worker who was speaking to the handsome stranger made his way towards me. I smiled and said, "Wow, who is that you're talking too?" He looked back at me curiously and said, "Why? You like him?" I said, "He is really good looking." Then he smiled and said, "I'll be right back." I quickly grabbed his arm and said, "Where are you going?" He then looked and said, "Don't worry. He asked about you too?"

I was mortified. All sorts of things started popping in my head. What will he tell him? What will he think? I am such a loser to have a co-worker approach this man for me. After about two minutes, my co-worker came back. He told me to go over to the horror and mask section. I was dumb founded. I am suppose to meet him where? Everything was happening so fast... before I knew it I was being shoved over there. My heart begin to beat faster with every step. I approached and saw him waiting for me. He smiled and said hi. I shyly replied hi (looking mostly at the floor out of embarrassment of what I was wearing) and then he asked where I was from. I told him and then he said something that has stomped me to this day. "You have an accent", he said. "An accent?" "Nobody has ever told me that before", I answered. After a moment of awkwardness, he asked for my number. I quickly looked for a scrap piece of paper and pen and wrote in perfect penmanship. He took it in his hand and glanced at it once and then said he would call me. I watched him walk away with dancing butterflies in my stomach.

Two days later, I got the magical phone call that has changed my life. I met a handsome stranger that day. And now I'm on the road to being his wife. Until next time, take a Zen moment and reflect.

Student says
I am very discouraged
what should I do?
Master says
encourage others
Zen proverb