The Paul and Charlotte Love Story -

Hammock Surprise.

This story takes place back in the early 20th century, when Lawn Tennis was only a few decades old. 

Thinking back, it was not the tranquil hammock in the woods that got them together, she recalled, nor the pleasant and  surprising times they shared there.

It was the tennis that brought them together.

Here's how things began.

They had coincidentally met at the shop, both searching for new racquets for lawn tennis.  Neither knew what to look for in a racquet.  After a while in the shop Paul had introduced himself when he realized they were looking at the same racquet model.  

They found they were neighbors as he had recently moved to the big white house down the road.  It was then that she recognized Paul, the mischievous boy from high school.  He seemed more serious now, but still playful, and no longer a boy.

They regained some lost familiarity and decided to venture on to the local lawns together the next day.   The courts were just through the woods behind Charlotte's house.

The court had been held for them and everything went smoothly that Friday afternoon.

The game was great fun, and good exercise too.  The players on the adjoining courts were quite accommodating.  How social this game is, and so nice to see some of my neighbors out and about, thought Charlotte.  Paul and Charlotte really clicked.

They agreed to play again, but it would have to wait because Charlotte savored her solitude and relaxation on Sundays.  "Hard to get?" Paul wondered.

 Almost three weeks had gone by without another trip to the courts together.  They saw each other in passing, but both to busy to stop for much more than cursory greetings.  

The third Sunday after their first 'tennis date' Paul decided to take his racquet back to the smooth lawns and see if there were any odd-lot players waiting for a go.  He knew also that Charlotte liked to relax on Sundays, and so his preferred option was out.

He decided to take the short cut through the woods, and what a pleasant surprise he saw.  But Charlotte had not seen him.   Always game to take chances on the court, he ventured to take a chance on his little stroll that day.   He was surprised at his nervousness, the stakes were high.

Here's Paul's chance:

Well, Charlotte's momentary recognition of Paul did not give her the chance, or lead her, to anticipate what had happened until it was begun, and quickly done. 

In the end they were both surprised, pleasantly.  After Charlotte recovered from Paul's surprisingly quick serve, and relaxed awareness took over the glen where the hammock was hung, both relaxed and the dialogue was warm and engaging.  

Paul saw Charlotte's racquet leaning against the tree.  Charlotte explained that there was no better form of Sunday relaxation than a game of lawn tennis.  Paul quickly accepted that change of tune, and wondered that Charlotte was still somewhat flushed.  

They played tennis three more times that week and saw each other every day except Wednesday.  When they met at the hammock the following Sunday things were more relaxed, and the surprises were done.

Or were they - well there was another surprise, oops.   

There is another surprise for this story full of surprises...

...no hammock meant more time for tennis.

What did you expect?  They played tennis happily ever after.

The end.