Momma made it through that night.  She couldn’t imagine what her neighbors were saying about her, being someone who did not like to be the center of attention.  It soon became obvious that she would not be able to just ignore this problem and have it fade into oblivion.  

At Momma’s first conscious waking moment the next morning, everything seemed normal.  However, once Momma was fully awake she remembered and felt her world tilt a bit in the wrong direction.  In vain, Momma rolled over to try and tip the balance back in the right direction.  For the first time in her life, she actually considered “calling in” at work, simply so she wouldn’t have to face her co-workers, students, people waving at her from the street.  There was still that small glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, Momma would be able to ignore the signs, they would go away, and life would return to normal.

Momma left her bed, put on her robe, started her coffee pot and walked to her front door to retrieve the morning paper, hoping to find some solace in her morning ritual.  After unfolding the paper, any hope of solace was soon forgotten.  The first headline immediately caught her attention.

Local Woman Courted by Budding Poet
    posts signs on light poll
The signs first appeared on a light poll just outside the Johnson Elementary School. They appear to be an attempt to attract the attention of the Cafeteria Supervisor, Miss Evelyn Mead.

Momma groaned, “Well, I guess they got that right. I am the only eligible Evelyn who doesn’t live in a nursing home in town.” She turned back to the article.

The first sign was posted Monday morning and was noted by quite a few passers by. “At first, I didn’t pay any attention because people are always using those light polls to advertise yard sales. But then I realized it said someone’s name and it had a poem on it. I actually turned my car around to go read the sign,” stated Mrs. Johnnie Furst.

“Well, I just can’t believe it,” stated Theodore Plume, the principal of Johnson Elementary. “Our Evelyn just doesn’t seem the type to get involved with someone who would make such a public display of intent. She’s so little and quiet.”

Momma began to sink down into her chair.

Yesterday afternoon, a second sign was spotted and the other side of the highway where Miss Mead would see it as she left the school after a day’s work. This second sign attracted quite a few onlookers and even an audience by the time Evelyn herself passed by. Instead of stopping to read the sign with her fellow townspeople, Miss Mead made a series of U-Turns, so that she could, presumably, read the sign without having to get out of her car. “I’ve known Evelyn for a long time,” stated local librarian Minerva Tripp. “She’s very shy. I don’t think she likes this too much.”

No one has seen just who has been posting the signs, although rumors abound as to who it might be. Many in the town seem to think that Miss Mead’s admirer is from out of town as no one knows of any romantic involvements of Miss Mead.

“Then again,” stated a commenter who wanted to remain anonymous, “it’s always the quiet ones that fool you.” And this morning, a third sign has been posted right in where the first had been. It reads,

“Evelyn, Evelyn,
I long to see you,
To talk and to share.
What might the future hold for us?
Do you dare?”

Will she or won’t she folks. That is, indeed, the question!

Momma’s phone rang.  She picked up the receiver and quickly placed returned it, cutting off the caller.  Momma then called in at work, disconnected the telephone and went back to bed.