He'd taken up the game shortly after he retired. Having never played before, the man at the store had no problem selling him a moderately priced set of clubs complete with a bag. He found a couple of other newly retired duffers and in no time at all came to love the game. After five years he was still far from good, but he'd gotten to the point of returning home after a round with as many balls in his bag as when he'd left.
Shortly after he started playing he found a course near a small town some distance from anything! It was as close to being in the middle of nowhere as it could possibly be. And it was as inexpensive as it could be as well. The fees were less than half of what other courses nearer to his home were charging. It was well worth the extra drive.
He'd been going there three or four times a month for nearly two seasons when it dawned on him that the same young lady was almost always behind the counter.
"Hi! My name is Harry. And yours?"
She smiled. "Cheryl."
He really liked the smile! "It's nice to meet you, Cheryl."
He made a point of greeting her by name every time he saw her. And he was generous in his tipping, even giving her a $50 Christmas tip the last time he expected to play in the fall.
He couldn't quite put his finger on why, but she really intrigued him. She wasn't what you'd call hot, but she had something he just couldn't get out of his mind. He looked forward to seeing her behind the counter and saying "hi" to her as much as he did the round of golf that would follow.
As the course owner attempted to build his business, Cheryl was given responsibility for the wedding receptions and similar parties. She used the internet well and quickly boosted the business. One of the main drawing cards was a large house near the clubhouse. It had originally been a farmhouse, but Cheryl convinced the owner to allow newlyweds to spend a night or two after a reception. The convenience of not having to travel after a reception party soon made it a favorite place for the people in the surrounding county.
Sometime early in Harry's fifth season his buddies both became more involved in other activities. More and more frequently he would arrive at the course early in the afternoon by himself.
"Hi, Cheryl! How are you today?"
"Good! How are you?"
"I'm well, thank you. It is a beautiful day for18 holes!"
"It is, isn't it. Are your friends going to make it today?"
"No, I guess they've got other things going today. So I guess I'm alone, unless you'd care to join me."
Cheryl would laugh and point out that someone had to stay and run the clubhouse, or set up for the wedding reception the next day. He didn't really expect her to say yes. At 65 he didn't have any unrealistic expectations that a young lady 40 years younger than him would be excited about an afternoon in his company. But it didn't hurt to fanaticize a little. She wasn't what you'd call hot, but there was that smile!
As the season went into early fall, the frequency of playing alone went to an all time high. He sometimes played 3 or 4 times in a row without seeing either of his friends. And each time he'd extend the invitation to Cheryl. "I'm alone, unless you'd care to join me."
"I'm not really that good" she said one afternoon. "If I ever went out with you once you'd never want me to go again!"
Harry laughed. "What makes you think I'm any good!"
The banter continued every time he played. He understood that she was at work and that he was old enough to be her grandfather, but the fantasy was nice. And there was that smile.
At one point she'd laughingly asked if he was hitting on her.
"I guess if you have to ask, I must not be doing it very well!"
Another laugh, and that smile.
It was mid September and he knew the season would soon be over. He got to the course at his normal time Tuesday afternoon and was surprised to see one of the other girls behind the counter when he walked in.
"Hi. How are you today?"
"I'm fine. And you?"
"Good. Where's Cheryl today?"
"Right here!"
He turned to see her sitting at a table right near the door.
"You walked right past me when you came in!" She smiled that smile. "I took the afternoon off, just in case you didn't want to play by yourself."