Delbert Fandango had the dubious distinction of never accomplishing anything worthwhile in his life. He passed through school with average grades and without friends, academic or sports awards, or club memberships. Even on picture day Delbert was absent, and an empty frame appeared above his name. Delbert had no interest in girls because they had no interest in him.

After high school, Delbert took a job at the Bata Shoe Factory, where he sewed and assembled women’s shoes. The work was as tedious as anything he’d ever done in his life. The women who worked on the floor near Delbert took no notice of him, except for one chubby eighteen-year-old named Ingrid Gracey. Ingrid went through school just as Delbert had; no friends, no club memberships, and no reason to go to school every Monday. Ingrid staked her claim within a week of Delbert’s arrival. When Ingrid sat beside him at lunch, Delbert figured she hadn’t room to sit anywhere else, and he gave her no notice.

Ingrid introduced herself and started talking to him. Delbert was shocked to discover that a girl noticed him. He turned his full, delighted attention to Ingrid and they engaged in a lively conversation.

Within a year, they became Delbert and Ingrid Fandango. Delbert continued to work at the shoe factory, and Ingrid became a highly efficient homemaker. Delbert was grateful his life had inexplicably taken a turn for the better.

Thirty years on, Mr Fandango remained a stalwart employee in the Bata Shoe Factory. By ...