Pridon - Chloe decided to go for it

By Janice Pridon

Deciding to go for it, she turned to Jason and said, “I think I’ve seen you here before.”

“You might have – but it’s been a while,” Jason replied.

“Hi! I’m Chloe – B positive.”

“I try to be,” he said, and then laughed, realizing she had told him her blood type.

“0 negative. Nice to meet you, B positive.”

They were interrupted by the nurse who came over to Jason. “It looks like you’re finished. I’ve never

seen anyone fill up a bag so quickly. Let me get you unhooked. Go grab one of the cookies they have at

the table over there. Just take it easy until you know you’re good to go.”

Chloe was not going to let this chance go by. She quickly leaned forward – too quickly. She could feel

the blood draining from her face and she felt faint. She sank back into her chair, hoping that Jason

hadn’t seen what just happened.

He turned toward her. She really didn’t seem to be too interested. “What a shame,” he thought. “She’s

beautiful and, more importantly, has a heart to help others.”

“See you, B positive, “Jason said and slowly walked across the room toward the snack table.

He grabbed a brownie and took a seat where he could furtively watch Chloe. He really wanted to get to

know her a little better. But how?

“That’s never happened before. Just when I thought I could detect a little spark between us, I almost

faint. Way to go, Chloe.” She closed her eyes and thought she was going to cry for the second time that

day.

It looked like Chloe was upset. “Should I go over there?” he wondered. “What do I have to lose?”

“What’s wrong?” asked Jason.

Chloe opened her eyes and there was Jason standing in front of her. “I’m just having a bad day. And,

it’s taking me a really long time to fill up this ..... “

She looked toward the bag and suddenly realized he must be interested, too.

“What did you grab from the snack table?” she asked Jason.

“My favorite – a brownie. It’s delicious. Usually the snacks are stale or bland.”

“Which brownie?” asked Chloe. “I’ll get one – if I ever finish up here.”

“let me get you one before they’re all gone. “ He walked over to the table and noticed a new plate of

cookies.

“They’re out of the brownies. But, they just put out these. They look good and they’re shaped like

hearts. Would you like this heart . . . ah, cookie?” he said as his cheeks became tinged with red.

She took the cookie and their fingers touched lightly. Now her cheeks were turning red.

“Would you like to go out for coffee? There’s a quaint little coffee shop a couple of blocks away.”

He looked at his watch. “I would love to ... but I promised my parents I would be home for dinner by

6:00.”

“You live with your parents?” Chloe asked with a questioning look on her face.

He hesitated and thought, “Why did I say that? So much for first impressions.”

Chloe could tell she hit a nerve. She quickly replied, “I do, too! Up until now, I thought I was the only

person my age who was still living with their parents. It actually works out quite well for me.”

The nurse came over. “It’s about time. let me get you unhooked and you can be on your way.” She

looked at Chloe and asked, “Are you okay? Your cheeks are flushed.”

“Why did she have to say that?” She looked at Jason and they both chuckled. “I’m fine. In fact, I

haven’t felt this good for some time.”

Chloe and Jason started toward the door. He held the door open for her and asked, “Could I have your

number, Chloe?”

She was thinking, “I came here to give blood and ended up getting a heart . . . cookie. Ha! Ha! Suddenly

this day has turned around and it looks like my life has been transfused with possibilities.”

She went back to the table inside, grabbed a pen and paper from her purse and wrote down her

number. She wrote something else and then folded the paper and smiled as she handed it to him.

“Thanks,” he said. “I’ll give you a call.” She turned and walked briskly away.

He unfolded the paper. In addition to her number, she wrote: It’s always best to be positive!