October, 1995 Murphy Robinson, State U's offensive line coach, says to Jeff Brownfield, "I'll bet - I'll bet you don't have even one single girl to ask, not a single phone number." What's Murphy talking about? Homecoming , the social event of the year at the small rural college. But why bother? Jeff's his best friend - and an easy mark. Murphy bets Jeff will be dateless for Homecoming, wager-ing tickets on the fifty-yard line and steak dinner after the game for Murphy and his girlfriend. Pride gets the better of Jeff and they shake on it. But how can Jeff find a date? He's got just three weeks and no phone num-bers . Jeff's a girl-shy college administrator and community volunteer who's unhappy he's still single. And he has a shadow. I call it the fog . It's a bil-lowing ground cloud that ebbs and flows in shades of gray, mirroring his moods and predicaments. With the fog underfoot, his long-divorced mother vexing him as usual, Jeff, all 5'7" and 148 lbs. of him, thrashes through three weeks of anxiety, miscues, and work.
About the Author: Chuck Emerson grew up in El Paso, Texas, the oldest of three sons. He sang in the church choir and often a cappella at weddings. He enrolled at Texas Western College (later U T El Paso) before entering the United States Navy where he served four years as a Communications Technician based in the Philippines and Spain. He returned to El Paso, graduated from UTEP and went into the insurance business. Later he was blessed with a very creative son, Stephen Charles "Tzoul Shine" Emerson. Chuck took up racewalking in the early 90's and later country western dancing. Chuck was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation and Meritorious Unit Commendation in addition to National Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal, two stars. He wrote a weekly editorial page column for U.T. El Paso's student newspaper, The Prospector, for three consecutive years. He served two terms as a member of El Paso City's Cable Communications Advisory Board, one as chair. Later, as a masters racewalker, he managed a top-ten-ranking for the entire western half of the USA two consecutive years in the 90's. He moved to Clear Lake City, Texas (Houston) early in 2003 and now lives a few blocks from the Johnson Space Center. Chuck has been recognized three times as Diplomat of the Year by the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. He has published six works of fiction and one year won 1st, 2nd, & 3rd prize for short story at the 15th Annual Conference of the Bay Area (Houston) Writers' League. At least two evenings a week, when he's not writing, Chuck dances two-steps, waltzes, & polkas for three to four hours. If you like to be spun around the hardwood to a fast polka, Gals, Chuck is your man.