[mef2101]

I am a happy man.

Like all of you, I am a big Charisma Carpenter fan. Very big. But, unlike many of you lucky folks, I don't live in the big coastal states, or near the big convention sites, so I figured my admiration of Charisma would simply have to be from afar.

After all, I work for Circuit City (blatant corporate plug...) in Indiana, in a nice suburban community, far away from the West Coast glamour.

But on the weekend of Father's Day, I'm helping sell a very nice woman a surround sound system. Our conversation is wide ranging, and she discovers I'm a fan of Charisma.

Then something interesting happens. She tells me her husband is Charisma's FATHER.

"Don?" I asked.

"Yes," she replied. Turns out he has been in Indiana for quite some time, and they actually live in my hometown now. I'm surprised, but I think I managed to avoid looking like the obsessed fan I was feeling. She and I chatted about Charisma's work, and that she was just done filming "Relative Chaos."

Since I read all the threads here, I sounded like I knew what I was talking about. I knew she worked with Terry Bradshaw, and that it was a reunion with Nick Brendon.

And then she said something that really got my attention: Charisma was flying in that very afternoon to come and spend more than a week with them! I managed to smile very warmly, and I hoped she would ask Charisma to stop by the store, since I was such a big fan.

Charisma's stepmom said she thought that might be possible, since they would have some time here in town.

"Is Damien and Donovan with her?" I asked.

"Oh, sure."

Man, oh man, this was terrific! I could hardly wait. I let most of my co-workers know that I was hoping for a Charisma visit. And I was to be called at home if she came in on my days off. (Yes, I am indeed a fan...)

But several days pass, and no visit. I remind myself that she's in town to see family, not shop at my Circuit City store!

I wondered where in town she might be staying. My town isn't huge, but it isn't small either. And I also wonder how the surround sound system is working out for Charisma's father and stepmother. So, I thought I would follow up for customer satisfaction.

So I look up the customer number, and yet again I find out something very interesting. Her father lives within a few blocks of me! And I drive past his place almost every day!

OMG.

I do call as a follow up to the audio purchase, and I spoke with Charisma's Dad. I asked if the system was sounding great, and I wondered if he had any questions or concerns. He replied they hadn't had a chance to set up up yet, and I laughed and said, "Ahh! Father's Day festivities, huh?"

We shared a laugh about the big to-do some Father's Days can be, and I told him to call us if he had any questions.

I couldn't figure out how to bring up his daughter without sounding weird or stalkerish, so I hoped to see him in the store soon.

Now, do I continue my routine and drive by his place like usual? Or do I go out of my way to avoid being too obsessed?

My wife hopes Charisma comes into the store soon, because she's afraid I will be devastated if I miss her.

Today, I'm thinking she probably won't get a chance to stop by the store. I'm in the middle of ringing up a television sale, and one of my friends comes over to me and leans close, saying, simply, "I think she's here."

I just know my heart skipped a beat. "Umm, who?" I was afraid this was a joke.

"Charisma. It looks like her, and it really sounds like her."

And it was.

I spent quite a few minutes with Charisma, and she is as gracious and friendly in person as she appears on every talk show.

She lost track of when Cheater's Club was to be on, and I told her June 26th. She remembered she was going to do some press about it, but came to her Dad's place for her family instead.

We talked about Relative Chaos, and she was happy to work with Nick Brendon again. My mind was spinning, and frankly, I do not remember everything I said. I mean, I was getting a chance to talk face to face with my favorite actress!

Charisma introduced me to Damien, and Damien is as warm and charming as his wife. He told me they visit her Dad somewhat regularly. I explained to both of them how I was surprised at how close I lived to Don Carpenter, and that I hoped their visit to Indiana was pleasant.

Donovan wasn't with them, so I suspect he was getting some quality time with the grandparents.

Charisma did some more shopping, and in a bit I remembered that I wanted to get her autograph. I approached her again, and sheepishly asked if I could pester her just one more time. She gave me the smile that always lights up the screen.

She knew that this fan wanted her autograph. No matter how cool and nonchalant I tried to be, I fervently hoped she would sign my copy of her Playboy issue.

And she did, happily: "To Michael, Pleasure meeting you in Indiana. Charisma"

She told me her stepmom wanted them to stop by my Circuit City, and I hoped that Charisma would thank her stepmom for me: this visit made me walk on cloud nine. (I always thought that expression was trite, but not after today.)

She gave me that smile again, and I wished all of them a safe flight back to California.

And then it was time to get back to work. But I still had a smile on my face. All day.