Here are the winners of our Vindicator Love Story Contest, whose clever endings set theirs apart

Here are the winners of our Vindicator Love Story Contest, whose clever endings set theirs apart from all the rest of the entries — and in 500 words or less:

FIRST PLACE

Jay Brookes New Springfield

($100 gift certificate for Julia’s Bed and Breakfast in Hubbard)

Kelly wondered if she remembered Dave was handsome or just thought she remembered now that he was here. She hoped he wouldn’t see how nervous she was.

Clearly he would if she just stood there without saying anything, but the best she could muster was a hurried, “You’re a bit early. But that’s OK. I’m starved. Shall we go?”

“Dumb. Dumb,” Kelly thought. “‘I’m starved’ is all I could come up with?”

He seemed taken aback, not knowing what to say. Finally he stammered, “Umm, sure. I know a great Mexican restaurant with a mariachi band. Is Mexican OK with you?”

At the restaurant, Dave held out her seat for her, gallantly helped her with the menu, and ordered in what she believed must have been flawless Spanish. While waiting for dinner, he beckoned the mariachi band to their table and slipped the band leader a twenty for the serenade.

If he was trying to impress her, she thought, he was doing a very good job. She couldn’t remember when she had found anyone so easy to talk with.

Dinner was followed by a short drive to a nearby lake, where Dave put the top down and they watched the sun set. As the blazing gold turned to orange and then cream, Kelly sighed. “Dave, I really wasn’t expecting I would have such a wonderful time, but this has been the best evening I’ve had in a while.”

Dave looked at her quizzically for a moment and cocked his head, then smiled away the bewilderment on his face.

“I’m glad. I couldn’t have asked for a better evening myself.” He paused and added, “But I’m afraid one of my clients isn’t going to be so happy. Originally I was supposed to help him look over some legal papers this evening, but when the chance to have dinner with you presented itself ... well, I made absolutely the right decision. I’ll make it up to him and do the job for free.”

“You’re a lawyer?” She smiled. “For some reason, I thought you were a plumber.”

Dave chuckled. “Do I look like a plumber? That does it. Time for me to change my hairstyle.”

Dave drove Kelly back to her parents’ house where she had left Larry, making sure to get her cell-phone number, and gave her a gentlemanly kiss on the cheek at the door before leaving.

As Kelly walked in, her mother looked up abruptly from her chair with obvious irritation. “Where have you been all this time? You just left without a word. Oh well. It doesn’t matter. Dave Richards called a few hours ago to cancel your date. He said he decided to try to get back with his wife ‘for their kids’ sake.’”

“What? That’s not possible,” Kelly said.

“Well, it’s a night for getting stood up,” her father grumbled. “My lawyer, Dave Banks, was supposed to be here three hours ago to go over some papers with me.”

SECOND PLACE

Cathy Seckman East Liverpool

($50 gift certificate for Full Circle Florist in Youngstown)

“Catastrophe?” “No,” Dave told his sister, “just awkward. You know how you get stuck with people sometimes, and there’s no escape? It was like that.”

“Too bad,” Becky commiserated. “Maybe it was first-date jitters. Could you try again?”

“Nah.” He shook his head. “We may have a lot in common, but Kelly Lewis and I will never make a couple.”

Dave was so discouraged by the experience that he didn’t date again for months. When he finally met Tanya, they hit it off immediately. But after a year, when Tanya pushed for a commitment, he backed off. “Not going down that road again,” he said shortly.

Kelly hadn’t been as kind in her assessment of the blind date with Dave. “Unmitigated disaster,” she’d complained to her mother. “There was no spark at all. We tried talking about our families, then the kids, then — and this is the disaster part — we talked about his ex-wife and my late husband.

“Never again!” she swore. “No more dates with old family friends, I mean it!”

Mary Jo just smiled at her daughter. “Never’s a long time,” she said lightly.

In Kelly’s case, “never” lasted seven long years. They were lonely years, but Kelly was used to it. Little Larry filled most of the empty places in her heart, though he wasn’t so little anymore. Larry was extremely proud of the fact that although he was the youngest member of the high school basketball team, he was also the tallest.

“Will he get to play tonight?” Kelly asked her father anxiously as they took their seats for the season opener.

“I hope so,” Greg answered his daughter. “I’ve talked to Coach Andrews several times. He says Larry’s coming along well.”

They were interrupted by the home team’s arrival on the floor. The heavy bass thump of the pep band filled the gymnasium. “Look at that boy!” Kelly’s mother shouted over the music. “He’s even taller than Larry! Who is he, Greg?”

Kelly’s father consulted his program. “Josh Richards. Why do I know that name?”

Kelly and her mother groaned and exchanged rueful glances. “He’s Dave Richards’ youngest son. Remember? The guy I had that awful blind date with?”

“I remember that date.”

Kelly whirled in her seat, face already reddening. Behind her, Dave offered a sheepish grin. “Sorry to eavesdrop, but I heard Josh’s name.”

Kelly fumbled an apology. “I’m so sorry, Dave. That night was — I mean, well, we ...”

“Weren’t ready,” he finished for her. “It’s okay, no hard feelings.” He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Let’s forget that night ever happened. Look at our boys out there.”

Kelly turned her head. Funny, she’d forgotten all about Larry’s basketball debut. She smiled. “Aren’t they fabulous?”

“And they haven’t even started to play,” Dave agreed. “Hey, is that spot taken?” He pointed to the folded seat next to her.

Kelly smiled. “Come on down,” she invited.

Beside them, Kelly’s mother allowed herself a small, private smile.

THIRD PLACE

Emily Meals North Lima

(2-pound box of assorted chocolates from Philadelphia Candies, provided by The Vindicator)

Dave stared blindly for a moment, but quickly cleared his throat and introduced himself. Kelly did the same, feeling as awkward and uncomfortable as she had on her first date back in high school.

The tension was high, but equal, as both Kelly and Dave felt a sense of guilt. It was as if they were going against every fiber in their being by even considering another relationship.

And their kids, how would they react to such an unforeseen turn of events? How would they process the thought of someone coming into their parent’s lives?

Dave could see the worry on Kelly’s face. The date had lasted a full 30 seconds, and he was already regretting it.

He asked Kelly if she was ready to go. Instead of nodding yes and walking to his car, Dave spotted a single tear falling down her cheek. “I can’t do this,” she began. “I’m just not ready. I thought I was. I really did. And I know this is completely unfair to you, and I’m sorry for that. I just can’t do this, not now.”

Dave held up his hand to acknowledge that the message was clear. “I know,” he said. “I feel the same way. I’m just glad you had the nerve to say something.” Kelly nodded.

“Maybe another time, then?” she asked. “Sounds good to me.” Dave replied, and he walked back to his car feeling an odd mix of relief and rejection.

Three months had passed since the blind date made its abrupt end, and Dave was busy watching his son’s baseball game in the bleachers. It was a cold day, and the wind made it worse.

Dave scanned the area for a concession stand to get a cup of hot chocolate, but none were in sight. Instead, he saw Kelly, sitting on a bench with a winter coat, gloves and a hat that framed her face beautifully.

Dave got up and walked over. “It looks like you were the only smart one. I had no idea it was going to be this cold,” he said. “My wife always reminded me to bring warm clothes, but, well, you know.”

“Yeah.” Kelly replied. “Hey, I’m really sorry about …” “Don’t worry about it,” Dave responded with a reassuring smile. She smiled sheepishly in return and then turned her focus back to the game.

After the game was over, Josh and one of his friends ran over to Dave. Completely out of breath, Josh said, “Hey dad, can my friend come over to our house for some hot chocolate? I told him that you make the best in the whole world!”

Dave had never seen Josh’s new friend before, but smiled anyway and said, “Yeah, that would be fine with me, as long as his mom agrees.”

With a grin, Kelly glanced toward Dave and said, “I’d be fine with that.” Dave smiled back. Maybe it was fate, he thought. Maybe that blind date hadn’t turned out to be a disaster after all.