I'm Benny, I just turned twenty-eight. It had been two months since moving into my apartment here. So I was still settling in. Work was going well. I loved my job as an airline dispatcher.
I developed a physical fitness routine. It helped.
One day, while getting my mail, I saw a very tall red headed woman doing the same. She dropped her wallet and didn't realize and began walking away.
I scooped it up and called after her.
"Pardon me miss, you dropped your wallet." I handed it to her. She was at least 6'6". I am 5'5" tall.
"Oh, thank you!, I'm Fran Harris."
"Benny James." I extended a hand. I looked up at her and she smiled. She had freckles and shoulder length red hair.
I found out she was an artist.
A few weeks went by and we saw each other in passing. We exchanged pleasantries. Eventually we became friends. Our height difference never bothered us. But when we would go out, people would stare.
Fran asked me one day if I would sit so she could sketch me. I enjoyed it, because I loved spending time with her. I grew to trust her and felt safe.
Fran called me one day crying. She told me her latest boyfriend had broken up with her over her height.
I went over to comfort her.
"I think they look at me as a fantasy, then the novelty wears off and then good bye!"
"I'm thirty-six and I keep making the same mistake!"
I wasn't sure what to do or say as she sat there crying.
"Stay here tonight. You shouldn't be alone Fran."
Fran pulled me closer to her. "Thank You Benny." She whispered.
I slept on the couch and gave Fran the bedroom.
I got a text from Fran the next day. She wanted to talk to me. I told her to meet me at my apartment at Seven P.M.
"Benny, I appreciate you letting me stay last night."
She started asking about my dating experiences. I told her my horror stories. The speed dating, bar scene, singles events. I always suspected my height was an issue.
