Singleman No More

By Kevin Riley

The struggles of the aptly-named Kevin Singleman to find both a life partner and to know Christ lead him on a tortuous and adventure-filled journey. As a natural introvert, he struggles with social situations. It's not until later in life that he begins to find success in both endeavors. Totally frustrated, he decides to give the Lord one year to help him solve his problems. During the following year, his life slowly but surely changes. His friend and former coworker, Paul McKay, is very strong in his faith, even through his struggles with multiple sclerosis. Paul is a beacon for Kevin and figures prominently in Kevin's accepting Christ as his Savior. At about the same time, Kevin joins a music therapy group through his father's battle after suffering a stroke. He becomes involved with Laura Antoni, a dark-haired, athletic caregiver for one of the patients. For the first time in his life, he experiences romantic success. "Have I finally met the love of my life?" Read the story to find out how Kevin becomes a single man no more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 28, 2017
• ISBN: 9781640285057

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Singleman

No More

Kevin Riley

ISBN 978-1-64028-504-0 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64028-505-7 (Digital)

Copyright © 2017 by Kevin Riley

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

296 Chestnut Street

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

1

The First Dance

It was freshman year at Olympus High School, and the three members of The B+ Club were sitting at the picnic tables outside the gymnasium during fifth-hour lunch. Kevin Singleman, Gary Fremont, and Milan Brewster had given themselves the B+ moniker since they were above-average students, but nowhere near good enough to reside in the top 5 percent of their class. All three were only children, and all had struggled socially throughout their lives. You could say they were somewhat geekish … not among the most wanted guys on campus. Their conversation centered around the upcoming First Dance, the social highlight on every freshman’s calendar. They looked at the dance as an opportunity to score points with one of the more attractive freshman girls and break out of a lifelong social slump.

Hey, Milan, you set up with anyone for First Dance yet? asked Gary.

No, but I wouldn’t mind getting to know Linda McCutcheon, replied Milan. Linda was a cheerleader, with shoulder-length black hair, brown eyes, and an attractive smile. Milan knew he’d have plenty of competition from the football and basketball teams.

Kevin Singleman picked at his sandwich and daydreamed of success. Known as an easy-going, reserved fellow, he’d dated very little. Success, to him, would mean finding almost anyone who would attend the dance with him. Secretly, he hoped that Karen May, a member of the pom squad, would be his date. Kevin and Karen shared an algebra class, and he found her very attractive. Approaching any girl for a date made him sweat bullets, and this would be a test of his courage. Rejection was never easy for Kevin.

Karen May’s my first-round pick, noted Kevin. I add x plus y in algebra class and the answer’s KM.

Aren’t you just the math whiz? said Milan.

Hey, a man’s allowed to dream, isn’t he? said Kevin.

I think we’ll all end up competing for Jane Jones, mused Gary. Jane Jones was truly Miss Average of the freshman class. Short, stocky, with thick, horn-rimmed glasses and light brown, bowl-cut hair, she wasn’t exactly every male student’s target. The leftovers, so to speak. There was good reason the B+ crew referred to her as Plain Jane.

Gary, I know what you mean. None of us are exactly John Travolta when it comes to attracting women. But why settle for second best? Or even twentieth, as the case may be? said Kevin.

Football stud or Kevin Singleman. Football stud or Kevin Singleman? asked Gary, moving his hands up and down with palms upraised, as if to signify a scale.

I know, guys. But there’s a first for everything, and this would be a great time to break through, said Kevin.

Okay, Mr. Confident. Let’s see you score the first point. I’m betting you don’t have the guts to ask Karen, sniffed Milan.

Uhhh … I think I can ask her. The worst she can say is no, said Kevin, his palms sweating at the thought of yet another rejection.

Man … I want to see this! exclaimed Milan and Gary, almost in unison.

At that moment, the bell sounded ending lunch hour. Gary and Milan got up and headed to their social studies class, while Kevin Singleman trudged off to solve algebra problems.

Kevin arrived early, as usual, and took his seat in the row nearest the door. With his analytical personality, algebra was one of his stronger subjects and normally captured his full attention. Today, however, his mind wandered from X’s and Y’s to a different problem. And right before the bell, the focus of his problem walked into the room … Karen May. There she is! thought Kevin, with a large knot forming in his stomach. Immediately, all his old fears washed over him. Should I approach her after class? What do I say without sounding stupid? What if she says no? Karen sat two rows in front of Kevin and four seats over. He was sitting between her and the door, so he knew she’d have to pass him on her way out. Kevin fidgeted and fussed as he planned his strategy over the next hour. Every so often, he furtively glanced at Karen. Finally, the bell rang and Kevin knew it was time for action. He was the first person out the door, and he waited nervously outside the classroom for Karen. When she appeared, he approached her and started talking.

Hi, Karen, how’s … how’s it going? he stammered.

Fine, Kevin. What’s up? Karen asked.

Umm … you know First Dance is a week from Friday, right? Kevin said, his mouth stuffed with cotton.

Yes. Who are you going with? asked Karen.

Well … I was wondering if you had a date yet, Kevin said before muttering a silent prayer to himself.

Oh! Thank you for the invitation, but Todd Ray asked me a week ago. He’s such a nice guy, and isn’t he a great receiver on the football team? Karen gushed.

Yeah … well, I just wanted to ask and see if you were available, Kevin mused, looking down at his feet, totally crestfallen.

Maybe we can get together sometime in the future, Karen said.

Maybe so. Well … have a nice afternoon, Karen, Kevin said.

Great! You, too.

You’ve heard the quotation Wait ’til next year? Kevin began to wonder if next year would ever arrive for him. As he walked home that afternoon, a car drove past with a Boston Red Sox bumper sticker. How appropriate, he thought. I’m cursed, just like the Red Sox.

2

The Future Unfolds

This wasn’t Kevin’s first encounter with rejection, just the latest. But it was becoming a recurring pattern. He’d asked two other girls to First Dance, and both had turned him down. To make matters worse, one of the rejections came from Jane Jones … Plain Jane herself. Kevin was crestfallen. What did I do wrong? he thought. Am I really that bad? Even his B+ buddies Milan and Gary found dates, albeit at the last minute. Gary had hit it off well with Jean Borgen, enjoying dinner, dancing, and getting home around 11:30 p.m. Milan was somewhat less successful, leaving the dance around 9:00 p.m. Kevin spent the evening at home, reading, listening to music, and wondering what might have been.

At the same time, Kevin found some degree of enjoyment in staying home. Crowds and loud places were not his forte; large gatherings made him fearful. As an only child, he learned to appreciate a quiet environment.