Mark the Matchmaker (Part 1)

Mark sat on the sidewalk in front of the grocery store, reading a fat paperback, probably that damn Dune again.

Great! I hadn't seen him in a couple weeks and wanted an update so I slowed my vehicle down, found a parking spot, and walked toward him.

I said hello and Mark greeted me with his typical gusto. A can of Sprite and a container of fried chicken and roasted potatoes rested near him. It was the first time I'd ever see him drinking something other than alcohol. I took that as an encouraging sign.

An elderly Asian woman wearing a mask came up to Mark and handed him a couple of bucks. He thanked her.

I remarked about the Sprite and Mark said, “I'm trying to drink less and eat a little better.”

That was good to hear. I didn't ask him about housing. Had he tried a fifth time to secure it and failed again?

“Matt,” said Mark, “there's something I want to discuss with you.”

“Sure, what is it?” I said, figuring it was something in connection to the publication or distribution of The Old Crow Book Club.

“There's someone I want you to meet,” said Mark, “a woman in the neighborhood. I think you two would get along.”

WHAT?

“Are you setting me up on a date?” I said.

“Yes I am,” said Mark.

WHAT? A homeless man was playing matchmaker for me? Preposterous!

Mark said the woman was very attractive, in her 40s, and in some kind of social service field.

I asked if she'd read the book. Mark said he thought she had, or at least started it.

Jacob from the book club approached. I told him Mark was trying to set me up on a blind date. Jacob laughed and asked Mark who it was. Mark said her name.

“She's hot!” said Jacob.

WHAT?

I thought about the proposition for a second and said, “Why not?”

And indeed, why not? One never knows where anything will lead when it comes to members of the book club but everything so far connected to them had enhanced my life almost beyond measure.

I gave Mark my business card and said to give it to the woman and we'd see what happens.

The Matchmaker smiled and I walked away.