Midge King

Imagine yourself as a divorced single, back in the dating scene after two decades of marriage -- with vows taken in the 1990s, when the world still used pagers and payphones, Internet was accessible by dialing, and there was no social media. Now, imagine the person who makes you want to give dating a try in the new millennium is much younger, totally accustomed to digital life and instantaneous gratification. The result is Three -- an examination of recruiting executive, Lanelle Pratt’s adventure in the dating world, seven-years after her separation, divorce and recent acceptance of the idea of remaining single for the rest of her days. Set in the Baltimore, Maryland area, with texting and secrecy as its driving forces, this short story gives us a taste of what occurs when two people from different generations date in the less-than-forgiving digital era. Whether rooting for them to make it, or scratching brows wondering how they ever could, readers will enjoy the twists as things unfold, with Three reminding us all of the layer added to relationships in a social-media dependent world.