Looking for Love

"So, let me get this straight. You've been in a relationship for weeks online?"

Lisa felt uncomfortable. Susanne always asked direct questions, like darts.

"I don't need to be next to him to know that he's a good person," Lisa countered.

Susanne worried for her friend. She wondered if need had a scent and men were sensitive to it, either running a mile with one whiff or, if predatory, sensing the potential for emotional exploitation. For Lisa was one of those women who had to have a man and didn't feel like she was anything unless there was one in her life. Susanne found this really sad.

"Tell me about him," Susanne said and watched as Lisa's eyes lit up.

"He's a vet. He's always sending pictures of animals he's saved." Lisa's eyes widened excitedly as she talked. "He's based in Manchester and he lives in a flat in the centre. He loves walking, going to concerts and travel. He's funny too!"

"He sounds nice," Susanne said, and added, "So where do you see it going?"

Lisa looked at her friend and burst into tears. Susanne was completely surprised by the reaction and reached for her friend.

"Hey! Hey! What's this?"

"I'm never going to find anyone!" Lisa sobbed.

"You will, you will," Susanne soothed. "Of course, you will. I mean, this vet. He's interested, right?"

Lisa sniffed. "He seems to be but he lives bloody miles away!"

Susanne didn't know what to say.

Lisa gulped and mopped her eyes. "Do you know that this is the most stable relationship that I've ever had? How mad is that? And I've never even met him in person!"

Susanne stayed quiet.

"I know it's not right but I don't want to let him go."

Lisa continued, sniffling. "I'm scared to. In case there's nothing else!" She visibly shrank, her shoulders slumped, a weight lifted but its imprint still felt.

Then, looking directly at Susanne, she asked, anger and frustration in her voice:

"What sort of world do we live in if I'm looking for love through an app?"

Susanne did not have an answer for that. So instead, she held Lisa and gave her the warmth of friendship.

***

366 words

"I want love."

"There's an app for that."

There seems to be an app for everything. Perhaps we should all be reaching for "Appiness"?

The modern world sometimes makes me feel like I no longer belong here.

200 to go! This last 66 have felt like an absolute age!

Thanks for stopping by! If you do read this, please do leave a comment as I love to interact with my readers.

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