This is a good thing, but it also is a big stressor. At the age of thirty-four, he is head over heels in love. He is completely consumed with thoughts of Phillipa Doughtrey.

 

Harold was a little twitchy at times, subject to nervous disorders, frequently had insomnia, tummy troubles, and small accidents. So, you could safely say he was well known by all at the corner drugstore.

 

When they hired a new junior druggist she was certainly noticed. To him, she exhibited the freshness of spring. She had shiny bright light red hair. Green eyes that seemed to make him feel calm, just gazing into them. They glowed with warmth. A real porcelain complexion with light ruby lips. She looked like she only used mascara and no other makeup was needed. She was five foot five and one hundred and fifteen pounds. She was marvelous.

 

But, he was not the only one noticing Phillippa. Harold is a professor of languages at Oxford. Historical ones especially. His competition is one Angus Bueller. The rugby coach. He oozed healthiness and strength. Harold had been interested in track. Harold was five foot eight and one hundred and fifty pounds. Not a lot of muscle, but no fat. Angus was a beefy two hundred pound powerhouse at six foot two.  Harold had thinning hair and wore glasses. Angus had thick curly dark red hair, and probably has to shave three times a day.

 

They had not known at the start that they were competitors. Harold was in the open market when he spotted Phillipa and started talking to her. Along comes Angus saying, "Here is your fresh dill, darlin'." 

 

Harold felt like he had his intestines removed . He turned to Phillippa and asked, "Am I still picking you up at seven, dear? 

 

"Yes, that will be fine," she replied. He kissed her cheek and left. Armstrong didn't look any happier than he felt.

 

When he got home he had a bulb of garlic in his pocket.

Oh dear.

 

That night Phillippa and he had a talk. He wanted to know why she never told him she was dating others. She asked him if they ever talked about that at all. He had to admit they never had any discussions. He told her that he had never dated more than one person at a time. It simply did not occur to him.

 

Phillippa said, "We are dating as friends currently. We hold hands sometimes, hug a little , and a little light kisses. Nothing more.  We are seeing if we can get along, and examining the dating waters. I do not consider myself a girlfriend to you or Armstrong yet.  We are examining if there can be more. Do you want to stop seeing me?"

 

He wanted to keep seeing her and told her so. As long as things were clearly spelled out he was more comfortable, although he hoped that Angus develops some kind of illness where he has to be quarantined. When he got back from his date his pockets were empty.

 

There was a dance at the Grand Hall and Harold beat out Angus  to ask Phillipps to go to it first. The college had received a very large donation from the Rutherford Trust due largely to Harold's efforts so he got the head's up before it was announced.

 

Harold was invited to her house for supper. She cooked  a mild dinner for Harold. A lemon roasted chicken with wild rice, a spring salad, iced mint tea, and sugar cookies for dessert. She knew of his delicate tummy.  At the door, she gave him a bag with chicken and rice, and a baggie of cookies. She also gave him a way better than average couple of kisses. When he got home, he had a paperweight in his pocket. He was going to have to tell her.

 

When he was in the library searching out items to put in his syllabus, he fretted about this, and walked off with a past due stamper in his pocket.

 

When Harold was standing by the counter at the drugstore that had the organic lotion, and custom lollipops, he watched a dozen long stemmed roses arrive from Angus to Phillippa. When he got home he had a "chock full of chocolate" and "cherry pie" lollipop in his pocket.

 

He made an appointment for a therapy session and avoided jewelry stores.

 

Nothing in his pockets for the last two weeks, and the dance was tonight. He hunted for pants with no pockets, but they just don't make them. 

 

The big night is here, and he is nervous. When he picked her up she was a vision.  His heart almost stopped at her beauty. The orchid he got her was off-white with lavender touches. It was perfect for her dress which was many light colors. She was his height now in her high heels. Her dress brought forth more colors as the gossamer swirls  swayed when she walked. Her heels were almost clear and so dainty. She was perfect. She locked her door, and took his hand.

 

He was beyond the moon. He escorted her to the passenger side of the car, and kissed her hand, before shutting the door.

 

When they arrived at the hall, all the men patted him on the back in passing, there were a few dropped jaws, and puzzled looks. He really felt like he was king of the known universe here. He could not get rid of his smile.

 

Phillippa said,"I know these parties can go on forever, and people have a tendency to over drink at these things, so, if you do not mind I would rather stick to club soda, than have to count drinks.  He felt the very same. She reminded him to get limes so it would look as if they were drinking alcohol.

 

They danced quite a lot. At one point Angus came up and he asked for a dance. Phillippa told him, " I am on a date, and when I am on a date, I do not dance with others. But I thank you just the same." 

 

"Are we dating?" he asked. She nodded yes. "Exclusively?" he asked. She nodded yes.

 

He started breathing harder, reached in his pockets for his pills, and the bottle was gone. Phillippa handed him his bottle and said, "Harold , take a pill, I have to tell you about my little problem." …