The very first inkling I ever got about teasing and the power it holds happened my freshman year in college in a T-shirt shop of all places.
I was walking the boardwalk with my boyfriend David. We had known each other a few weeks and had been spending a lot of time together recently. He was cute, smart, and a lot of fun. I always sensed an adventurousness about him, but that afternoon I was going to find out just how deep that streak would run.
Along the back wall were T-shirts which had words of them. One was "Porn Star," another said "Sugar" and the third, in beautiful gold glitter script read "Tease." I passed the first two and picked up the third, smiling. I held it up to my chest, modeling it for David. "What'd ya think?" I asked, joking around.
I wasn't sure what to make of his expression, which turned from startled, to slightly embarrassed, to eventually calm, even uninterested. I shifted back and forth, posing, watching him.
"Cute," he said, half smiling.
I tossed the shirt back and we headed out of the store. David had grown quiet, almost introspective. I wasn't sure what was going on. We walked about three blocks down in total silence before we both spoke at the same time, our words tripping over each others'.
My "So, where do you . . ." collided with his "Sorry I'm so quiet."
I put my arm around him and asked, "What's the matter?"
He looked a bit somber. "Terri," he started, "I really like you." I felt my heart drop down to my stomach, knowing what usually followed a line like that.
"But," I interjected.
He nodded softly. "But, I need to ask you about something."
I furrowed my brow, the response unexpected.
"Why did you pick up that shirt?" he asked.
"That? That was just a goof!" I said, relieved. "I mean, I love that kind of stuff, flirting, teasing, you know." I smiled at him, watching to see if his mood lightened.