Chapter One: Introduction

Part 1: Dating Advice from a Father

I talked to Dad about how this girl made me feel when I looked at her. He smiled knowingly.

“Son, she probably won’t look that way for long. She might, but don’t count on it. Enjoy looking at her for now. But here’s some advice: If you want to do more than just look at her, then don’t ever talk about her good looks or tell her she’s beautiful.”

“Why not?”

“Because everyone else is always doing that, and it gets old. Girls want a challenge, just like boys do. They don’t want the same old compliments, they want a challenge.”

“I don’t understand.”

When you play shortstop, do you want the boys on the other team to all strike out every time? No, that would be boring. You want them to hit the ball to you, so you can throw them out at first base. Maybe you’ll bobble the ball, and the batter will get on base, but you want the chance to make a good play, right? If you tell a pretty girl she’s pretty, you’re not hitting the ball to her. You’re not giving her any challenge at all. You aren’t in the game. Get in the game. Hit the ball to her. Give her a challenge.”

“How do I do that?” Dad grinned at me when he heard this.

“Tease her about something. Say something about her that makes her jaw drop, and then act a little surprised at her reaction. But always be calm. Don’t ever be mean, but give her brain a little tweak, see how she reacts, and then do it again. You’re good at thinking on your feet. When a fellow sees a girl he likes, he plays with her, only not with a bat and a baseball glove, but with words and body language and facial expressions. Do that with this Jenny girl. And never back down, no matter what happens. Never break eye contact with her while the two of you are talking—let her be the one to look away. Think about it.” He saw my face register some comprehension, and he added another thought. “Don’t worry so much about her. Make sure you have fun. Figure out a way to tease her. And have fun.”

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