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 › Monthly Columns › Catch and Release: Chapter 2 | The Proposition

Catch and Release: Chapter 2 | The Proposition

Web Admin 02/03/2021     Monthly Columns

West Village Model Karen Rempel at Abbey Road Studio

West Village model Karen Rempel on that famous zebra crossing at Abbey Road Studio. Photo provided by author.

By Karen Rempel

Previously: Chapter 1 – Meeting Keith

My publisher George thinks his dating stories are better than mine. “Men can roam more freely than women. I’ve been all over the world.” He told me he dated a French woman (in France), the heiress of a famous line of Armagnac. She lived in a castle, and sadly rejected his offer of marriage, which he proffered along with a Greek ring from the 5th century. Years later, an antique dealer in the Village saw the ring and offered to look up the heiress. Once found, his long-ago love declared she didn’t wish to speak to George. Is that a great dating story? Yeah, I have to admit it is… But I didn’t hear about any hand-kissing or whispered sweet nothings. A gentleman never tells… Which is why I hold the advantage in the dating story game. I can kiss and tell, and I promise you, I will!

But before I do, I want to thank everyone who commented on the first chapter of this story at westviewnews.org, and even reminded me of dating stories I’d forgotten! Extra big cheers to the men I’ve dated who said they still want to be caught, are glad they were caught, or were caught and are worried that I might reveal our playtime details. Don’t worry, caro, some things are so naughty people would never believe me! 😉

When last we spoke, I was at Otto with Keith. Wine glasses sparkling, acid jazz smoothing the groove. We were the coolest people in the world. I looked into his darkened eyes and my cordovan leather barstool seemed to be on fire. I longed to run my fingers through his Rolling Stone hair, and wondered if it would feel soft or rough. It was hard to pay attention to what he was saying, but I tried to focus. “Listen up,” my inner cautionary advisor (let’s call her Prudence) told me. “Stop mooning!”

Now that we were sitting inches apart, Keith did most of the talking. For the first time, following Prudence’s advice, I listened for more than the sexy British accent. I noticed he had a slightly thick, toneless voice that could possibly indicate he was hard of hearing. I was familiar with this speech pattern from my almost-deaf uncle, and this vulnerability endeared me to Keith even more. “It’ll be fine,” I told myself. “No biggie!”

He told me he lived in New Jersey and showed me pictures on his phone of the lofty getaway he’d designed for himself in Denver. “I’m overseeing a luxurious condo development now,” he said, naming his client—a famous hotelier and nightclub owner who’s done jail time. “Over on Morton Street. I’m in the neighborhood all the time.”

“Did you design the building? My father was an engineer! He designed industrial logging mills,” I said. I’ve always had a secret weakness for architects and engineers. George Costanza was really onto something when he used this as his pick-up line.

“I think of this building as a work of art,” he said (ignoring my lame-ass contribution to the conversation, Prudence pointed out). “Fascinating! Tell me more!” I said, ignoring Prudence. He did. “Instead of being a rectangular block, the Sophia has curved sculptural shapes reflecting light off the river. We’re adding a beautiful landmark to the neighborhood.” Hmm. Lights on curves. Hands on curves. I went moony again.

He looked at me like I was the most desirable woman in New York and the cordovan beneath me shot up 800 degrees. “Darling, I have a marvelous idea. It’s a bit dotty. Why don’t you join me in London for a few days at Christmas time?” He kept talking but I didn’t hear another word. My heart was shooting ping pong balls.

London at Christmas! With a Rolling Stone architect! Was this really happening? Endorphins, oxycontin, adrenaline—all the good drugs were flooding my veins. Not to mention the six or eight wines I’d sampled tonight.

“Get a grip!” Prudence told me. “Aw, shut it!” I told her. She wasn’t going to mess this up for me. I looked at Keith and put my finger on his mouth. Soft, wide, so kissable. Wait, what was I going to say? “Darling, I’d love to.”

—

Tune in next month for the first kiss and second date… And take a peek at this month’s Karen’s Quirky Style.

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Embrace the Absurd

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52 Comments

  1. Timothy J Sullivan
    ― 02/06/2021 - 2:24 pm  Reply

    Does she really go???!!!

  2. Silvia Talavera
    ― 02/06/2021 - 2:38 pm  Reply

    Oh Please don’t stop…. give me more!

  3. Pat Duffy
    ― 02/06/2021 - 2:49 pm  Reply

    Wow! You have left us hanging on a quirky cliff! Can’t wait for the next part of the story–with the very “un-Prudence-like” excursion to London! This is fun
    : )

  4. Ralph Curcuru
    ― 02/06/2021 - 3:28 pm  Reply

    WVN needs to double the length your monthly chapters, if you’re willing. I’m just getting warmed up, and it’s over so abruptly!

  5. Irma
    ― 02/06/2021 - 3:53 pm  Reply

    Prudence knows best but that’s not always fun. Can’t wait to hear more of your adventures Karen, and George’s!

  6. Bruce Shaw
    ― 02/06/2021 - 4:06 pm  Reply

    Yikes! As the plot thickens. For a yet to be “caughtee,” my fantasies are running wild…!

  7. maggyktelus
    ― 02/06/2021 - 4:07 pm  Reply

    More! Please!

  8. jeffcharno
    ― 02/06/2021 - 4:32 pm  Reply

    Onward 🙂

  9. Larry
    ― 02/06/2021 - 5:11 pm  Reply

    Karen – love the story and need more. You know I’ve loved you since we met and while George sounds like he had his own adventures, I know you have had some amazing adventures. Don’t stop – tell us more – and don’t hold back.

  10. Gera Benoit
    ― 02/06/2021 - 6:17 pm  Reply

    Too short Karen…waiting for more!

  11. Esther Carter
    ― 02/06/2021 - 7:04 pm  Reply

    I love it Karen!! So well written I can feel your heart pounding 🙂 It would be nice if your stories would be a bit longer but I am definitely looking forward to the continuation on your dating saga

  12. patriciapucher
    ― 02/06/2021 - 7:42 pm  Reply

    Begging for more.

  13. Karin
    ― 02/06/2021 - 8:25 pm  Reply

    Karen – it’s such a fun read…can’t wait to read more!

  14. J'Ro
    ― 02/06/2021 - 10:06 pm  Reply

    The photo of you in Abbey Road gives away the next sentence. But is it the English architect holding the camera? Why don’t you write longer installments?

    1. Karen Rempel
      ― 02/07/2021 - 5:32 am  Reply

      Hi J’Ro, Yes, I wonder who is holding the camera? Time will tell!

      Some of our online readers from distant places (like you, dear J’Ro), may not know that WestView News is a print paper, with very tight space constraints. I’m lucky to get 500 words a month! 🙂

      I liked your pixels comment last month too! Thanks for reading and commenting.

  15. Urbanned - YVR
    ― 02/07/2021 - 1:31 am  Reply

    Copy so hot you could fry an egg on it.

  16. mdrinny
    ― 02/07/2021 - 7:03 am  Reply

    I’m waiting to hear what happens next!

  17. kwtalk
    ― 02/07/2021 - 11:00 am  Reply

    Sounds like George of the Jungle’s brass ring had no magic!

  18. Minister of Culture
    ― 02/07/2021 - 11:03 am  Reply

    So Rempellious!

    1. Karen Rempel
      ― 02/07/2021 - 11:31 am  Reply

      I love it!

  19. val
    ― 02/07/2021 - 12:01 pm  Reply

    Hmmmm, who’s caught whom? We shall see. I’m expecting a twisted-release….

  20. Pam
    ― 02/07/2021 - 12:26 pm  Reply

    Can’t wait to hear what happens next!

  21. shazam s (@zaphyrella)
    ― 02/07/2021 - 12:38 pm  Reply

    ☆꧁:..sO muCH FuN!!!:.꧂bEttEr thAn dinner & a movie!☆as iF We wErE ThERE!!!!
    ★but nowwww we hafta☆wait a whole month,,★tho the Abbey Road foto helps the suspense!

  22. Andrea Thurlow
    ― 02/07/2021 - 1:05 pm  Reply

    Can we make this weekly? I don’t wanna wait a month for more! ❤️

  23. hamishthedenizen
    ― 02/07/2021 - 1:11 pm  Reply

    Wonderful – I’m waiting impatiently for the next installment!

  24. Joan Sutcliffe
    ― 02/07/2021 - 1:31 pm  Reply

    You have left me on edge of my seat – just waiting for more. Don’t let Prudence get in the way!

  25. Tracey
    ― 02/07/2021 - 2:47 pm  Reply

    Agree with everyone who says these need to be longer… I can’t believe how hard I am waiting for Installment #3!

  26. Louise
    ― 02/07/2021 - 4:53 pm  Reply

    Tantalizing 500 words! Waiting with bated breath for next 500 words.

  27. PHILIP
    ― 02/07/2021 - 5:04 pm  Reply

    I can’t wait to see what happens next with these two.

  28. Doris
    ― 02/07/2021 - 6:50 pm  Reply

    The adventures of Karen: always riveting. Can’t wait to see where this goes.

  29. Mog
    ― 02/08/2021 - 8:05 am  Reply

    Woo-hoo—we’re steaming up! I hope we go to London!!!

  30. Mrs. Reno
    ― 02/08/2021 - 3:11 pm  Reply

    Thank you for bringing back the cliffhanger, Karen. And thank you for this exhilarating new series – the first thing I’ll turn to every month!

  31. Lanna
    ― 02/08/2021 - 3:22 pm  Reply

    I’m hanging on to every word.
    I need to know more!
    I can’t wait to hear what happens.
    Your column reads like a book keeping me in suspense.
    I love it Karen!

  32. Liessi from BC
    ― 02/08/2021 - 6:39 pm  Reply

    I love the way you name-drop without actually naming names. It’s like a side quest while waiting (way too long) for the next installment. Your words pull us in so close, I can practically feel the two of you exchanging breath … and I can see Keith so clearly by now that I can probably describe him to a sketch artist. (Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that!) Please tell George that I’d really like to see the ring (and don’t tell him this part but sadly, the most romantic part of his whole dating story is the hardware). Staying tuned!

    1. Karen Rempel
      ― 02/08/2021 - 8:09 pm  Reply

      As Puff Daddy so famously said, it’s all about the Benjamins, baby! lol

  33. Maria
    ― 02/08/2021 - 11:11 pm  Reply

    Keep the West View News coming — I have to find out what happens next!

  34. Angela James
    ― 02/09/2021 - 1:01 am  Reply

    Riveting! Can’t wait for the next episode!
    Keep it coming ……love your writing style
    Karen.

  35. Annastasia
    ― 02/09/2021 - 6:47 am  Reply

    You are magic!

  36. Django Djenkins
    ― 02/09/2021 - 7:07 am  Reply

    Ripping yarns are always more than acceptable. More please.

  37. Sherri
    ― 02/10/2021 - 7:48 pm  Reply

    So what happened on the 2nd date ? Was the first kiss “dreamy” from Keith?

  38. Lisa
    ― 02/11/2021 - 2:44 am  Reply

    More please!!

  39. Alannah
    ― 02/11/2021 - 12:41 pm  Reply

    Amazing love story! Can’t wait to read more!

  40. Lew McFarland
    ― 02/11/2021 - 1:20 pm  Reply

    Really anticipating the next chapter in your checkered love life, Karen.

  41. Kat
    ― 02/11/2021 - 10:02 pm  Reply

    Can’t wait to find out if “Prudence” wins out or the pheromones, what a fun read!

  42. Austin G
    ― 02/11/2021 - 11:02 pm  Reply

    I need more!

  43. Alexandra Kargin
    ― 02/12/2021 - 11:50 am  Reply

    Carry on, Babe!! So much fun!!!

  44. Geo. Sanders
    ― 02/15/2021 - 4:35 pm  Reply

    It’s a shame you only get 500 words. It’s like “coitus interruptus”!

    1. Karen Rempel
      ― 02/23/2021 - 8:31 am  Reply

      Coitus Interruptus is the worst! We can’t have that. I hear you, George and all you dear readers who say you want more. So in March I will keep the print version within limits but expand in the online version. There’s so much to tell you about!

  45. Jean Burgess
    ― 02/23/2021 - 8:25 am  Reply

    Finally a Sunday morning and room in my head for a quick glance at Karen’s writings that turned into a long ride word to word to word that sparked images and feelings of the big city and a woman’s search for connection disguised as adventure. Honest and engaging. A great Sunday morning read. Looking forward to more.

  46. themartinhawkins
    ― 02/27/2021 - 3:47 pm  Reply

    Lovely – on tenterhooks for the next part!

  47. Donnette
    ― 03/03/2021 - 4:26 am  Reply

    Run faster Karen! You can still get caught.

  48. Garry
    ― 03/07/2021 - 2:19 am  Reply

    Will leave the gate open for more

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