“Like the song says, ’Don’t tell me, show me.’”
The next night, Toni was on the Internet, and from that time on, her life changed. She was no longer bored. The Internet became a magic carpet that flew her all over the world. When Toni got home from work, she would immediately turn on her computer and go on-line to explore various chat rooms that were available.
It was so simple. She accessed the Internet, pressed a key and a window opened on the screen, split into an upper portion and a lower portion. Toni typed in “Hello. Is anyone there?”
The lower portion of the screen flashed the words “Bob. I’m here. I’m waiting for you.”
She was ready to meet the world.
There was Hans in Holland:
“Tell me about yourself, Hans.”
“I’m a DJ in Amsterdam at a great club. I’m into hip-hop, rave, world beat. You name it.”
Toni typed in her reply. “Sounds great. I love to dance. I can go all night long. I live in a horrible little town that has nothing to offer except a few disco nights.”
“Sounds sad.”
“It bloody well is.”
“Why don’t you let me cheer you up? What are the chances of our meeting?”
“Ta ta.” She exited the chat room.
There was Paul, in South Africa:
“I’ve been waiting for you to check back in, Toni.”
“I’m here. I’m dying to know all about you, Paul.”
“I’m thirty-two. I’m a doctor at a hospital in Johannesburg. I—”
Toni angrily signed off. A doctor! Terrible memories came flooding through her. She closed her eyes a moment, her heart pounding. She took several deep breaths. No more tonight, she thought, shakily. She went to bed.
The following evening, Toni was back on the Internet. On-line was Sean from Dublin:
“Toni…That’s a pretty name.”
“Thank you, Sean.”
“Have you ever been to Ireland?”
“No.”
“You’d love it. It’s the land of leprechauns. Tell me what you look like, Toni. I’ll bet you’re beautiful.”
“You’re right. I’m beautiful, I’m exciting and I’m single. What do you do, Sean?”
“I’m a bartender. I—”
Toni ended the chat session.
Every night was different. There was a polo player in Argentina, an automobile salesman in Japan, a department store clerk in Chicago, a television technician in New York. The Internet was a fascinating game, and Toni enjoyed it to the fullest. She could go as far as she wanted and yet know that she was safe because she was anonymous.
And then one night, in an on-line chat room, she met Jean Claude Parent.
“Bon soir. I am happy to meet you, Toni.”
“Nice to meet you, Jean Claude. Where are you?”
“In Quebec City.”
“I’ve never been to Quebec. Would I like it?” Toni expected to see the word yes on the screen.
Instead, Jean Claude typed, “I do not know. It depends on what kind of person you are.”
Toni found his answer intriguing. “Really? What kind of person would I have to be to enjoy Quebec?”
“Quebec is like the early North American frontier. It is very French. Quebecois are independent. We do not like to take orders from anyone.”
Toni typed in, “Neither do I.”
“Then you would enjoy it. It is a beautiful city, surrounded by mountains and lovely lakes, a paradise for hunting and fishing.”
Looking at the typed words appearing on her screen, Toni could almost feel Jean Claude’s enthusiasm. “It sounds great. Tell me about yourself.”
“Moi? There is not much to tell. I am thirty-eight years old, unmarried. I just ended a relationship, and I would like to settle down with the right woman. Et vous? Are you married?”
Toni typed back, “No. I’m looking for someone, too. What do you do?”
“I own a little jewelry store. I hope you will come and visit it one day.”
“Is that an invitation?”
“Mais oui. Yes.”
Toni typed in, “It sounds interesting.” And she meant it. Maybe I’ll find a way to go there, Toni thought. Maybe he’s the person who can save me.
Toni communicated with Jean Claude Parent almost every night. He had scanned in a picture of himself, and Toni found herself looking at a very attractive, intelligent-looking man.