So I sucked it up and phoned Whitney. It took me awhile because I had an awful lot of sucking to do. This is new for me, and I didn’t want to screw it up. I had Canticle‘s recommendations to guide me. I also checked through a book that supposedly gave tips on how to pick up women. It said that you shouldn’t leave a message if you call back and get the answering machine.
So I phoned, and I got the answering machine. I think I was relieved at that, because this is a lot of pressure. I hung up and walked away. The phone promptly rang. I was Star-69-ed and suddenly I was in a conversation with Whitney. The book had given recommendations to avoid this situation, but I didn’t take them seriously. I’d feel like a stalker if I was taking that many precautions.
All the preparations in my head went away, but I still stumbled through them. I did learn it was a bad time to call, as she was in the middle of her own halloween party. So I, I can’t say gracefully, proposed phoning back tomorrow. She was open to the idea of meeting for coffee. She didn’t sound enthusiastic, but that may have been because there was a party going on around her.

At least I hope so.