I Crush You!

I remember a few years ago, when I picked my kid sister from school, I heard her male classmate say, "Mary Anne, I crush you!"

Believe me, I was fascinated and overwhelmed, not so much by the gesture but by the way the kid composed his sentence. Who could blame him? I mean, crush is love in a lesser degree, right? And you would typically be saying "I love you," so why not say "I crush you?"

Nice going kiddo, but you have to get past three older brothers before you could actually crush my sister into loving you!

Speaking of crushes, I was working out in the gym last night, biding my time before going home. Lo and behold, who do I see? It's my crush from way back in high school. Believe it or not, there is still something in me that says, "Go on, tell her that you like her!"

She is a batch lower. Back in high school, I would always go out of my way just to catch a glimpse of her. I know she takes the train going home as I do, but we were always waiting on opposite tracks. I would stretch my neck like a giraffe just to see her from the other platform. She's not that tall, but she is, for me, one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in my entire life who is a non-celebrity. She is a Rose McGowan deadringer.

Last night was no different. I just looked at her from afar, thinking how I could start a conversation with her. But as many of you who know me may have guessed, the torpedo in me worked its way out.

If only I could ask her out for a date. If only I could ask her for a small talk over a cup of tea. If only I could muster enough courage and tell her upfront, "I crush you!"