For long I was a loner with no serious relationship though active on dates. Nothing worked out in the long run. But I was happy and enjoyed a social life. When a man showed interest I would track sensibly given that I had many letdowns. With younger man I would be more conscious. I never thought I could get hitched. Much as I least expected or some would said fated I got into a relationship with a younger man. Though we knew each other, I could hardly call him my dream man. It started quite out of the blue though he showed inkling to get closer to me. He was my daughter's boyfriend. Things got into their relationship. I only sensed something wrong when he came visiting her less often. My daughter, Brenda, relationship with her boyfriend Tim seemed to be deteriorating. They used to be very romantic going out most of the times but now I seldom seen him coming to my house. I didn't query daughter; thought they were busy on their new careers as both just started on new jobs.
Once I met him on the street alone. As I was with a friend we didn't chatted much. He didn't let out too much on their relationship. Neither did I bother to find out more. Even if they didn't clicked well it was quite normal. As relationship is more often than not an on off affair, it was better to split than to carry on unhappily.
A few days later Tim came to my house in the evening. I told him Brenda was not in and he could come in to wait for her. He replied they were no longer an item; parted few months ago and hardly communicated since then. I was shocked and he said she found another man, his father.
He said on a particular day he asked her out but she said she was busy. He went home and went to bed early broaching over her. He thought he heard her voice and peeked out of his bedroom. He saw her coming out of his father's bedroom in skimpy nighties to get a drink. She didn't see him. He didn't confront her there and then, went back to his bedroom. He said he couldn't sleep that night lying awake.
I held his hands and offered my sympathy looking in his teary eyes. He didn't said much, gave me a hug and sobbed lightly on my shoulders. I hugged him and consoled him like a mother would for her child in sorrow. I told him there would be girls waiting for him. Just buckled up and worked on his career. Easier said than done I knew but at that moment I could only offer those words of comfort. Indeed he was any mother choice for her daughter; decent, affable, of good character. I liked him very much and was glad daughter picked him for a boyfriend. I expected them to develop further but then it was all in vain.
After he composed himself he asked me if I would allow him to come visiting me. I said sure you were a nice boy. After finishing his drink he took leave.
At the door, he put his hand round my waist, hugged me and brushed his lips on mine lightly adding see you soon.
I didn't know how to make out his actions on me. Was he so dejected and wrecked, he wanted a woman to fill his void and it happened he knew I was unattached. Anyway I had my social life with a few suitors and still without a steady relationship. I guessed he was lonely and needed a woman's company, nothing emotional about it.
He did come, in formal evening attire, knocking one day surprising me with a bouquet of flowers and invited me for dinner. Fortunately I didn't have a date. I gladly accepted saying it was good with advance notification so I didn't have to turn him down if I had a prior appointment. I would also have time to dress up for the occasion.
We had a wonderful dinner and chatted about his plans. I told him to go and mix around and not isolate himself. He could given time build another relationship, a better one maybe, be optimistic in life. He seemed to sober up and didn't displayed a distraught mood. We stayed till closing time. He sent me back home and at the doorstep kissed me goodnight. I didn't read too much into the kiss he planted on my lips. It was just brushing on our lips, couldn't really said it was a kiss. Just a courtesy gesture in a gentleman manner I supposed. I couldn't understand why daughter chose his father over him. I imagined a fatherly figure and a sugar daddy she fell for.
I had a word with daughter on their breakup. She said his father could provide her well financially and he was tender and caring to her. In contrast her ex was so simplistic. She would be moving out to his house and cohabit with his father soon. She had safe guard and even got a prenuptial agreement if he did not legally marry her within a year of cohabiting she would get a tidy sum from him. For a start he purchased a sport car and an apartment for her. I was so disappointed that she was so materialistic and didn't know the meaning of true love her ex had been giving her. It was her own life she wanted. I couldn't argue more and left it as it was. She promised to visit me often and be a filial daughter in deference to me.
Her ex was more cheerful each time I saw him though not that frequent as when they were an item. He got over the affair and on an occasion said it was a blessing in disguise as really their characters were so divergent and interests not exactly compatible. He was an outdoor type whereas she a party goer and materialistic. He thought over it after the breakup and glad they parted way. He agreed his father could take care of her materially. He wanted only to give them his blessings.
I couldn't believe he was magnanimous. I continued to encourage him to socialize more.
He was opened to me and tried as he did it didn't help though as a handsome guy, he could laid as many girls as possible. But there was no real satisfaction in not meeting the right girl. Each conquest was no more that a sexual surrogate for the woman he secretly admired for some time.
He wasn't specified except to say he had always admired maturity in a woman with tender loving caring characteristics. He wasn't enamored with girls who only possessed materialistic values. I guessed what he gone through had made him mature and in future relationship he value intrinsic beauty in women he would have long term relationship.
He confided he had a woman in mind whom he had secret feelings and been harboring thoughts of telling her. It would be appropriate time now that he was single again. I was glad for him and told him to confess to her sooner than later. But he was worried she might not accept him as she was a mature woman older than him. He would demonstrate to her feelings transcend age. It was important both had mutual feelings and compatible in characters and interests.
He looked at me attentively, clapped my hands and asked if I could teach him how to approach her. I was happy to be of help I replied.
I sensed he had been paying attention to me when he was dating my daughter. Ever often took opportunity to come close to me and had small talks glancing at me giving me a run down with his eyes. I thought it was a natural phenomenon for a young man to have ogling eyes. I didn't think it was anything more.
After the breakup he became more attentive to me. I accepted most of his dates to meals, movies, and concerts. He was picking fast on his mannerism with my advice on how to treat a woman to gain her friendship. He wanted to practice what he learned with me. I said OK perfect on me. He looked please closed his eyes momentarily. I couldn't fathom much access to his inner most feelings. It would not be easy to "fathom the heart" in such a situation. He had been hurt by daughter. He would know how to treat me like a lady, holding my hand on occasions. I couldn't make out his motive at that time. He was becoming more mature for his age.
