Aren’t you tired of swiping in the hopes of running into a specific someone you have an existing, lingering curiosity about? Here’s your chance to be brave—to take the active route instead of the passive one. Let’s connect again. (Entries may be minimally edited for clarity.)
With Your Dog at Lafreniere Park
Last weekend, you were at Lafreniere Park sitting on a shaded hill with your dog and you smiled at me while I was walking around the lake taking pictures of algae and clouds. I smiled back and then practically ran away, a failproof tactic in meeting new people. I’ve been working from home a long time and have forgotten how to people. You seemed cool and I am sorry I was a spaz. I would very much like to meet your dog. You can come, too.
Looking for the Backyard Show
I asked a punk cause my friend asked me
Where the backyard show would be
A punk told me and I told them
Ya gotta ask through Instagram 🥴
Interplanetary Heartbreak
First you stole my heart, then you stole my spaceship. Sometimes, you meet someone and you know she’s the only woman in the universe for you, and then you find out she’s not. My seven hearts are all broken. The sad thing is that even though you left me stranded on this pissy little planet, I do still care about you. You must have had your reasons for leaving, although for the life of me I can’t figure out what they were. Was it something I did, something I said, or were you lying when you said you loved my webbed toes? Let’s try again? —Fred from Geetlefluid 6.
Love in a Sandwich Shop
ANTIGRAVITY I need your help! I fell in love in a local sandwich shop. He didn’t believe that he changed my life over a Philly cheesesteak. In any case, thank you to Stein’s for helping me miss my wrong connection.
Rotary Phone at Goodwill
Tulane Goodwill on a Sunday. They were closing, and I think we both saw the cream colored, ‘70s rotary donut phone at the same time. I was playing eyes until I saw the phone and forgot how to act. Maybe I swiped it from you? Hung out in books after. I’ll teach you how to be quicker on the draw at the thrift. How about I’ll trade you the phone for cute dinner?
Submit your own close encounter to closeencounters@antigravitymagazine.com or through our new ANONYMOUS Google form. All email addresses will remain confidential. Don’t be a creep.
illustrations by Maegen Guidroz
