I think this is a great short story.  You do have a feeling that is a little "off", but that is because the main character's life is off.  His life  is controlled by the expectations of his mother, he hates it but he goes along with it, occasionally getting glimpses of the life he really wants.  He sees the girl, imagines a life with her.  But this possible future is once again pushed aside by his mother's idea of what he needs, the pinup. 

i like it.. sad, but a bit... cautioning, perhaps? that the life path that is the easiest is not necessarily the happiest. and perhaps the second path isn't too far off from our typical choices anyway... nice motif.

Poor guy, he should have taken his life by the scruff of its neck and given it a jolly good shake!

That was a rather strange little story. It was well-written, but there was something about it that just seemed 'off' to me. Maybe because my own mother-in-law tried so very hard to keep my husband and me apart, I have a problem with the whole concept of his mother setting up a blind date. I do 'get' the quiet desperation, though.Thanks for sharing.

That's sad that he had the chance for sparkle slip through his fingers.

I like it.  You skillfully portrayed the sense of defeat that so many people just live with in their sad little cubicles and passionless lives, either following routine mindlessly or simply afraid to take risks.

Also, my real name is Patricia, so I liked that bit, too.

Well done :)

Okay, that wasn't what I was expecting. *Laughs at self*