Emily in repose at a Sturgeon Bay, Wis., bayside park.

Her name was Emily, and, to be honest, had I seen her cruising down Mass. Street or hanging out in front of Hy-Vee, I probably wouldn’t have given her a second glance.

Emily just wasn’t my “type.”

I prefer ’em lean and sleek and maybe a little racey, and Emily was none of those things. Despite some gorgeous curves, she was a little hefty, a little ponderous. She was especially wide in the seat. She just didn’t excite me.

But Emily was there for me when I needed her, and I for her, and I guess that’s the essence of a summer fling.

I was a halfway through my family summer vacation, and I really wasn’t feeling too good about myself. Too much cherry pie, too many fish boils. And — pardon the Grinch-speak — oh the cheese, cheese, cheese, CHEESE! (When in Wisconsin, doncha know?)

Quite frankly, I was feeling a bit like one of the googol (Google it) of cows we saw on the drive from Milwaukee to beautiful, pastoral Door County, Wis.

But Emily didn’t care.

There were other targets. Some flashier, perhaps, some too big or too small. Some were too high-maintenance.

But Emily and I just … clicked.

The wife was taking a nap, the kids having “quiet time,” so I announced I was heading out and slipped away one afternoon, and Emily and I stole away.

We started a bit too fast. I backpedaled. She slammed on the brakes.

But eventually we settled into a rhythm befitting a calm, summer day.

We both knew it wouldn’t last. I had to get back to the family; she was tired.

We went to a park. I snapped a quick photo, then we returned to our hotel, where we parted ways.

I saw her a few more times over the next couple of days, but only from afar, and I left town without so much as a goodbye.

I think it’s better that way.

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Note to Newbiegardner, who posed the question online, and the folks who asked me variations of the same question in person: No, I’m not done writing my “Rolling Along” blog just yet. A few events — professional and personal — conspired to force me to take a short hiatus, but I’m back now, and I plan to stick around awhile.