There is a spectre haunting the suburbs- the spectre of dating.

Last time I went out with someone, was with this incredible teacher. That was last Monday, I think.

The sky was a fine sheet of grey rice paper as lit from behind by the whitest of light. Branches filled the horizon like black tombstones cracking the edges of the cold dead air as I drove to meet her at the bar.

The bar was much too large and empty to even bother decorating its walls with demographic wall hangings from the knicknack collection. Page 17 instructions: nail retro-junk item to wall, wait for bored conversation to ensue. Music played louder and louder as the night progressed in direct contradiction to the amount of patrons. Would it have been set to a more chill lounge type volume better suited for a studio apartment get-together over some Cabernet if the straight-from-work types were pressed tight against one another, elbow-to-elbow, wall-to-bare wall?

I sat by the edge of the bar closest to the front door, making it easier for her to spot me. When she sat down next to me, all was right.

Hers was a cascade of dark hair which flowed down to that area just inches above the small of her back. She had eyes the shape of almonds, the color of espresso. They brimmed with life when she spoke of everything from her job to recent obscurities discovered over a morning cup of tea, googling whatever curiosity struck her fancy.

She kept her arms folded throughout the evening. When she spoke, it was with a candy-coated voice that overflowed with thoughtfulness. With passion. She was oddly pretty with long hair and striking features, but her beauty laid in her complex ambitions.

Sadly, she is dating someone and we are to be just friends. Yes, relationship drama takes up a lot of time (whether in or longing for one) as my friend Teresa said in a recent email. But hey, I'm Greek so I know all about drama & tragedy don't I?