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| Never-Ending |  | Stories |
| What is a Never-Ending Story anyway ? | This is a participative novel-writing project which was kicked off by one of our Moderator. The story’s first chapter will set by one of our Moderator, and then we invite you to write the next paragraphs of the story. The best addendum to the story, gathered from your contributions, will be chosen by our Moderators, and published as the next installment to the story.
We again will write the next few paragraphs to set the story direction, then invite new contributions and so and so forth until the story begins to evolve and take shape.
In this sense, you’d be able to say that you have already written (in part, at least) your very own novel. Here at YOU, we encourage reader participation, and we see The Never-Ending Story as a way of letting you in on the action.
So catch the Never-Ending Story here in YOU and grab that chance to become a co-author of this participatory novel!
It is a choose-your-own-path story- like you might read in a book. But you can add to the story. Whatever you add will become part of it, anything you can think of.
We would apericiate, when you avoid any vulgare, nude, rude and adults stuff. In such case we keep the right to delete it anytime without pre notice.
Please don't add any comment or joke to the THREAD of this story. This will interrupt flow of story.
If you have any suggestions, critics, and questions. Please feel free to ask here in this Thread but not in the Story Thread.
Thank you. |
You can't hurry lovefrom seleck
2004-07-16 13:56:37 | As Matthew Morrison waits to ask the biggest question of his life, his face glistens with perspiration, and his cheeks and forehead turn a dangerous shade of red. His greenish-brown eyes are so frighteningly large, he looks like he’s going to have a heart attack.
He thinks he’s sure of Maria Calvaruso’s answer, but it doesn’t stop the fluttering in his stomach. Ignoring the panoramic view of downtown Chicago, he sits alone at a linen-topped table in the Signature Room at the 95th, atop the John Hancock Center. Waiting for Maria to return from the powder room, he’s oblivious to other people enjoying the tony restaurant, the scurrying waiters and clinking cutlery.
| from seleck
2004-07-16 13:57:17 | The only thing on his mind is will the woman he met eight months ago say “yes,” so he anxiously wrings his hands. Bubbly and talkative through the meal, Maria has no idea of what the unusually quiet Matthew is going through as he finishes his steak and she enjoys tender sea bass. To her, this is just an elegant evening out, the last event of their first weekend getaway alone. She returns, ready for dessert.
A platter arrives with a sparkling three-carat diamond ring. He drops to one knee; then, like millions of men before him, nervously awaits her answer.
| from seleck
2004-07-16 13:57:58 | For years, Matthew had been a lonely guy, searching for the right woman.
His wasn’t a frantic or desperate search because he enjoyed time with friends and family. Twice each week, Matthew rode his mountain bike at Island Lake State Park in Brighton. He browsed auto shows and tinkered with classic cars, his life-long hobbies. A classic car collector, the Livonia native repaired, enjoyed and sold them.
Successful in other areas of his life, the 37-year-old hadn’t had a girlfriend since high school. He often took women out, but they weren’t what he wanted, so he didn’t waste time. Usually, after a date or two, he dismissed them because they’d been married before or had children. He didn’t want baggage.
Many were beautiful, but the information technology manager wanted more than a blonde bombshell. He wanted a girl-next-door with old-fashioned values, one who wouldn’t smoke or swear. His ideal woman would be Catholic, independent and career minded, like himself.
In August, his colleague, Kelly McCarthy, mentioned a possible mate. This woman had never been married; she had no children. She was Catholic, professional, attractive, in her 30s and owned her home. Her name was Maria Calvaruso.
He made a mental note.
Maria’s name came up again on Oct. 15. But this time, McCarthy pushed a Post-It note with Maria’s phone number and e-mail address into his hand and insisted he contact her that night.
Matthew was hesitant to call, so instead, he jotted her this e-mail:
I’m 37, have an athletic/average build, and have never been married.
I know, your first thought is probably, “What’s wrong with him?”
Well, nothing actually.
When I was in my 20’s, I was focused on my career.
What I didn’t realize (when I was younger) was how difficult it would be to meet nice/honest people once you hit 30.
I’m an easygoing person who likes to laugh & make people happy (I’m a ‘giver’), and have never been into the ‘bar scene’ as a way to meet people.
Matthew had approached a woman much like himself.
| from seleck
2004-07-16 13:58:35 | At age 33, Maria Calvaruso hadn’t had a boyfriend in 11 years. The men she met were recently divorced or too old.
With her dark hair, hazel-green eyes, slim build and medium height, the Sterling Heights resident was attractive and tired of being single. Her younger sister had been married for four years, all her co-workers were married, and she’d served as a bridesmaid in 12 weddings.
A commercial interior designer, Maria enjoyed shopping for Ann Taylor separates and home decor. She spent much of her time with relatives and friends. On many Saturday afternoons, she shopped for groceries and prepared herself Italian meals.
Every two days, she hand-washed her black Volvo. When she got bored, she went to watch chick flicks or comedies with neighbors. Once, she spent eight weekends painting her living room with vaulted ceilings a shade of beige while her cat, Calvin, looked on.
Maria never sat still because in the past year, she began reflecting on these words: “I’d rather be single for the right reasons, than married for the wrong reasons.”
She held on.
Married co-workers sent her on blind dates and she joined the singles group, “Table for Eight.” But she always ended up at square one.
When her client Jan McCarthy, the sister of Matthew’s co-worker, encouraged her to go out with him, she was understandably reluctant.
But his e-mail made her laugh out loud. She was curious.
| from seleck
2004-07-16 13:59:17 | Hi Matthew. Or should I call you Matt? I am 33, never married, and just like you looking to meet someone compatible. I laughed when I read your e-mail, you sound so much like me. I too have spent many years working long days and not really pursuing a personal relationship. I never realized how much harder it would be to meet someone once I was older.
A couple days later, Matthew and Maria chatted on the phone and decided to meet on Oct. 19.
Opening her door, Maria was surprised that he was cute. Matthew handed her a bouquet of orchids and roses and she invited him in. While Maria arranged the flowers, Matthew looked around, impressed that her home was clean and stylish.
Matthew took her to the Rochester Mills Brewery Co. in Rochester, where they talked and laughed. He was smitten.
Maria she got a good feeling, and she knew she would hear from him again.
He e-mailed her the next morning.
Just wanted to say ‘thanks’ again for the nice evening; I enjoyed meeting you (& Calvin!) and would like to get together again if you’re interested. I’ll give you call before I head off to the ‘windy city’ this weekend (or feel free to email/call me).
She thanked him for the flowers and the nice evening.
In Chicago, Matthew couldn’t take his mind off Maria. She was so different — simple, yet sophisticated. A lively person, she talked with her hands and seemed happy with her life. He loved how crisply she dressed.
Matthew wanted to get her a gift to show her she was special. He selected a cranberry-colored pashmina scarf and Ghirardelli chocolates. Calvin got a toy mouse.
“This guy really likes me,” she told friends over the telephone.
The pair dined again on Halloween. After that, Matthew frequently made the hour-long drive from his job in Dearborn to Sterling Heights. He had to see her.
Since they both liked clean vehicles, they washed and waxed their cars together. They regularly worked out together at Lifetime Fitness Center.
On Nov. 23, Matthew took Maria to Northville to meet his folks, who were taken with her. He was falling in love, but he didn’t tell her. Instead, he sent her flowers every other week.
They spent Thanksgiving Day at her parents’ Warren home. Since it was his first time meeting them, he wore a suit and brought along a bouquet and a bottle of wine.
He noticed that she was much like her mother, Ava Calvaruso, who treats her husband like a king, dresses impeccably and cooks remarkably.
Maria talked as much as her father, Sebastiano “Busty” Calvaruso, who likes to tell stories and jokes.
Loud and animated, her family was so different from his own. He enjoyed himself, despite some of the 20 guests throwing hints of marriage. | from seleck
2004-07-16 14:00:15 | They soon became an official couple, regularly dining out, working out and helping one another with home projects.
Matthew dared to make his feelings known.
After a holiday party on Dec. 9, he said, “I have something to tell you” before whispering “I love you” in her ear.
“You do? I love you too,” Maria happily replied.
On Dec. 21, he told her, “You know you’re going to marry me one day.”
Maria answered, “Yeah, I know.”
For Christmas, he surprised her with a silver, gold and diamond cable bangle.
Then, in January, he took her to his parents’ condo in Arizona.
Matthew would do anything for Maria. He painted her bedroom and carried her purse.
He purchased a 1964 Mercedes Benz convertible. She bought a silver Mini Cooper.
For her 34th birthday on April 15, he gave her a white Ann Taylor shirt and a cherry jewelry box he special ordered online. A pair of earrings were tucked inside.
In May, he decided to shop for an engagement ring at Edmund T. Ahee Jewelers in Grosse Pointe. It helped that owner John Ahee knew Maria, who designed the store’s interior. Ahee knew exactly what to show Matthew because he once tricked Maria into trying on rings she liked.
Matthew asked to see rings ranging from $12,000 to $15,000. He quickly narrowed his search down to two, then chose a platinum design featuring 121 diamonds.
“I think I like this one,” he said. “Knowing Maria, with her being a designer, she likes design and detail and things like that. I really think this one would make her happy.” | from seleck
2004-07-16 14:00:57 | Matthew decided to propose on June 19, their eighth-month anniversary, in either Chicago or New York. Telling her it was just a weekend trip, he asked which city she preferred.
She chose Chicago.
Matthew spotted an advertisement for the romantic Signature Room at the 95th. At the top of the famous John Hancock Center, it seemed like some place special. He would pop the question there.
He surfed the Web and found plane tickets and a room on Orbitz.
Returning to the jewelry store, Ahee helped him keep his secret.
“When you go through airport security, take off your belt and any other things that will go off,” he said. “Keep the ring in your pocket.”
Matthew paused.
“I just hope we can keep it from her,” he said nervously. “Usually, I’m not a pathological liar.”
His next step was asking for her parents’ blessing. He set up dinner with them while their daughter was away on a business trip to Chicago.
Matthew grew anxious while her father told a long story about one of Maria’s high school boyfriends. When the story ended, he cleared this throat.
“Now, you have a new story,” he said. “Maria and I. It’s been eight months. She doesn’t know, so I ask you guys to keep it a secret. I plan to ask Maria to marry me on Saturday.”
Her mother wept.
Maria’s father remained speechless. But then he blurted out, “She’s nonreturnable! You take her, you can’t bring her back.” He laughed, but he was serious.
“Oh, Matthew,” her mother said. “I’m so happy for you... Oh, God bless you. You have given Maria so much joy.”
“She has made me so happy,” Matthew said.
Four days remained to finalize details. The jeweler suggested Matthew have “Will You Marry Me? scrawled in chocolate on a platter around the ring, so he called the restaurant to arrange it.
Friday came. He nervously tucked the ring in his pocket before leaving for the airport. In Chicago, the weekend quickly passed with a Cubs game, boat tour and visit to Grant Park. | from seleck
2004-07-16 14:01:30 | At last, Matthew’s unsuspecting girlfriend returns to her seat.
Moments later, a waiter whisks a covered platter across the dining room, stops beside the table and removes the top. He places it before her.
Maria doesn’t see the ring or the words “Will You Marry Me?” written in chocolate. She only sees the small box and screams “Oh, my God!”
Dropping to one knee at her side, Matthew reaches for her hand and, between screams, says “Will you marry me?”
Loudly, she says “yes” and continues to shout, “Oh, my God.”
She kisses him. He kisses her back.
“Would you like to see the ring?” Matthew asks.
He beams with pleasure when she sees the ring and screams, “Oh, my God” again. |
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