1. The Way to a Man's Heart

Lina often asked Luke to dinner. Lina loved Luke, but Luke loved Lina's cooking, not Lina herself. Lina accepted that for the time being. But she felt that, with enough meals and enough time, she would get her man.

Luke rarely stayed more than ten minutes past the last bite of dessert. Lina would ask Luke if he wanted to watch TV, or play cards or chess, or take a walk around the neighborhood, but Luke always declined. He always said, "I've got to go." They both knew that Luke didn't have to go anywhere. All he ever did was go back to his apartment and read books or go online.

Tonight was probably going to be more of the same. But Lina was a patient woman. She loved to cook, and she loved to watch people eat her cooking. Tonight she prepared shrimp, fresh green beans, mashed potatoes, and asparagus. Luke ate everything with gusto. Then she brought out her homemade cheesecake with vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Luke asked, "Are you trying to fatten me up for something? Every time I come over here, I have to eat celery and lettuce for a week to get back down to my normal weight."

"Oh, stop exaggerating," Lina replied. "You enjoy every mouthful."

"You're right. I apologize. I love your cooking, and if you didn't invite me over here, I'd be hurt and hungry."

Lina watched contentedly as Luke devoured the cheesecake and ice cream. Someday, she thought, I will be his dessert.

2. Female Seeks Mature Male

Julia was 12 years old. Her best friend Betsy was 13. Summer was almost over. School was about to start. Julia and Betsy were having lunch at BurgerBoy. Betsy had decided that Julia needed a boyfriend.

"But why?" asked Julia. "I'm okay without one. What good is a 12-year-old boy anyway? All they're interested in is playing baseball or riding their skateboards. Where does a girl fit into that picture?"

"Don't be silly," replied Betsy. "And forget about 12-year-olds. They're immature. You should go for someone more experienced—someone at least 13 years old. Someone who will carry your books and walk you to your classes. You need someone who'll give you a Valentine's Day card and remember your birthday. You need someone to comfort you when you're sad and lonely. You need someone to protect you."

"But my dad does that! That's what dads are for. He comforts me; he protects me. And he remembers my birthday, too. I've got a backpack to carry my books, and I know where all my classes are. I don't need an escort. And a Valentine's Day card means that someone loves you. What if I don't love them back? I don't want a Valentine's Day card from someone I don't love. I don't love anyone anyway. I'm too young. I don't think I even know what love is. Besides, you don't have a boyfriend. Why should I?"

"Because you're my first client. I've decided that I'm going to be a matchmaker when I grow up "Well, if I'm your first client, that means I'll probably also be your first mistake. No, thank you.

3. Let's Go Fishing

Dave needed to pack for Saturday's fishing trip. He went into his hall closet, where he had more than 20 rods and reels. Nowadays he went fishing twice a year at Big Bear, a huge lake in southern California about 7,000 feet up in the mountains.

California tries to boost the fishing industry by sponsoring a Free Fishing Day twice a year, once in June and once in September. That sufficed for Dave. He went mostly because it was a social event with a few friends, not so much to catch fish. Even by itself, the scenic drive up a twisty two-lane road was worth the trip. Not to mention the big, beautiful houses and trees that lined the shore of the lake.

Packing was a project in itself. Dave had even created a computer file named Fishing Trip. It was a checklist of 45 things to take to Big Bear. He took two rods, because on Free Fishing Day you were allowed to fish with two rods instead of the usual one rod. He took a hooded sweatshirt, jeans, two pair of socks, a heavy hooded denim jacket, winter gloves, and a scarf. He also took flip-flops, shorts, a T-shirt, #30 sun block, sunglasses, a big hat, and a lightweight raincoat. If you go to Big Bear in June, you'd better be prepared for hot or cold, rain or shine.

He packed a couple of magazines to read just in case the fish weren't biting. He and his friends joked that the fish were always biting - in the spot you just left or the spot you were headed to.

After about an hour and a half, Dave had gathered all the items on his list into a neat pile next to his door. He went to bed knowing that tomorrow's weather and fishing were unpredictable, but the good time with his friends was a given.