“I need a real dog, a dog with some intelligence behind its eyes. Not some dopey, Down Syndrome-looking spaniel that drools every time it sees a bird.”

Jenn’s Plenty of Fish profile half-jokingly stated, ‘Must love dogs.’ Yes. A cheeky nod to a mediocre movie. Maybe the ask should have been more prescriptive.

Admittedly, the next few moments were not Jenn’s best. She and he did not part ways well.

After Jenn a-matter-of-factly stated that they were done, his bruised ego lashed out, insinuating that she was a bad lay and that her dumb dog’s droopy eyes were like her tits. They were not. Jenn had fabulous breasts. But he insulted her dog, so Jenn lost her shit.

Jenn countered by clarifying that her perceived poor bedroom performance was due to his incompetent phallus being smaller than her dog’s docked tail. It would better serve as an implement to clean one’s ears. It then got loud, profane, and personal. Central Park hath no fury like a Jewish woman scorned.

Unfazed by the drama, her canine’s attention remained held by the park water’s guests.

“Gee-ZUS,” Jenn muttered post-battle. “I even considered having his babies.” The reminder caused Jenn’s body to twitch. Her ovaries threatened self-sacrifice and her uterus demanded a future-proofing extraction.

Jenn looked at her pooch precariously seated at the water’s edge. Penny’s sole thought was duck.

“Looks like it’s Jenn-n-Penn forever,” Jenn said as she gut-punched some much needed sunshine into the belly of her storm. As if she understood, Penny looked up, flashed her hatred-melting grin, before returning her spastic wag to the bounty of frolicking fowl.

Jenn too observed the ducks but it was within the water’s ripples she decided to check in.

“It’s time for a change,” Jenn vowed, confessing to her drowning reflection. “Never, EVER again. Promise me.”

With Jenn’s defiance high, but situational awareness low, a distant, pond-exiting duck triggered Penny’s instinct. Penny bolted for the escapee, ripping the loosely-held leash from Jenn’s grasp. An exasperated Jenn immediately took chase, again filling the park with colourful language. She knew from experience that calling for Penny’s return was futile.

As the waddling Mallard seemingly teased Penny, utilizing a sniper-avoiding zig-zag before it took flight, a woman in the distance rose from her bench. She raced to intercept Penny before Penny disappeared into the park’s grassy expanse. When Jenn arrived, she found Penny focused on a new interest that cuddled her and scratched her butt.

“Thank you so much,” Jenn gratefully said.

“No worries. Saw it unfold. Thought I could help.” The kneeling woman then spoke baby talk to Penny. “And who doesn’t like an enthusiastic butt rub?”

As Jenn knelt beside the woman, she smiled in agreement while regaining control of Penny’s leash. The stranger smiled back, albeit sporting a smirk. The exchange felt like a test.

“Whatever it was,” Penny’s saviour said, “I’m certain he deserved it. But swearing at a puppy, for shame.”

The stranger quickly flashed a wicked grin to ensure Jenn knew all was in jest.

“How did you… “

“The water. It’s like a megaphone.”

Jenn suddenly realized their dynamic had just changed. She was drawn in by the aura of her new acquaintance. Saucy eyes. Succulent pout. Dark chocolate skin. And that dreamy voice. Indian-born but educated British. All juxtaposed by a geometric tattoo of hatred under her left ear.

As they both rose, the beautiful stranger noticed Jenn’s focus. She turned her head to invite Jenn in for a closer look. Her neck’s scent of jasmine instantly mesmerized Jenn.

“It’s protest ink,” the woman said. “Who the fuck names their kid, Swastuka? I don’t care how traditionally Hindu it is, or that I’m one in a line of many of the same, damn it, read the room, Indira Hitler.”

“Oh my Krishna, you called your mom that?” Jenn asked, now unable to keep her face or desire straight. “Bet your mom didn’t care for that.”

“That, my adorably-witty and culturally-nuanced friend, would be correct. But the curry really hit the fan when I called my dad, Adolf Ghandi. He half-threatened a sugarcane thrashing, but didn’t, because he knew I was already sweet enough.”

Jenn uncomfortably laughed.

“The bastards appropriated a revered Hindu symbol. An impetuous teen tried to take it back.”

Jenn knew then she was in the presence of special. Never had she experienced rebound feelings so strong and so quickly. This was more than fevered attraction. It felt like the future.

“I’m Jenn, Jenn with two n’s,” Jenn interjected. “And you’ve met Penny, the one with the hairier butt.”

“How much hairier?” Jenn was asked. “Without electrolysis, my people win that competition every time.”

The playful banter made both women knowingly smile. They were having their moment. As they looked deeper into each other’s eyes, it was really the first time Jenn truly, seriously thought about changing teams. The men before. That clichéd college thing. All expunged.

“Call me, Sassy, Jenn with two n’s,” Sassy offered. “Thankfully, Chef A-Hole didn’t stick.”

“Chef?”

“Guilty. And you?”

“Food critic,” Jenn deadpanned. “Actually, wildlife photographer.”

After their reality checks were approved, the silence left both woman pondering next steps. Sassy moved first, invading Jenn’s personal space.

Sassy brought and held Jenn’s hand to her pounding chest, and placed her own hand on the Star of David necklace that rested against Jenn’s. “See? I feel it too.”

“I’m going to kiss you now,” Sassy continued, “And we’re both going to like it.”

“Alrighty then,” Jenn chuckled before meeting with hers, the pretty stranger’s lips. After their first, they slowly pulled away, revealing their giddy, summer love grins, before kissing again.

Jenn felt powerless while succumbing to Sassy’s supernatural Hindu lesbian powers of seduction, as they later laughed about and reminisced.

Suddenly, in her free hand, Jenn felt an impatient tug from Penny’s leash. Jenn gripped it tighter before eagerly anticipating another chef’s kiss.

“You hungry?” Sassy whispered with temptation. “I know this cute little Indian’s place… “