She just walked up to me.
I was shopping at a local sporting goods store when out of nowhere an attractive thirty something blond walked up to me.
I had seen her when I entered the store, smiled and said, "Hi." Then I went about my business. She was very pretty, blonde with a figure highlighted by the form fitting outfit she wore. But other than that brief interaction I hadn't thought anymore about her.
"Hi, excuse me," she said. "My name is Renee. I don't mean to bother you, but you're the only in the store who hasn't tried to hit on me."
"Okay..." I replied. I didn't know what was happening.
"My car won't start and I was wondering if you have jumper cables? I'm sorry to bother you."
"I do have cables. Where are you parked?"
"Right in front of the store. Thanks so much!"
As I walked to my car, things didn't add up. Renee could have had her pick of customers to help her, but she had chosen me. I moved my car next to her CT 5 Cadillac, popped the hood and connected the jumper cables between our cars. I gave her a signal to crank her car and it immediately fired up. I disconnected the cables, closed both hoods, then I approached her.
"I think you're good to go."
"Thanks so much, you looked like the only normal guy in there. What do I owe you for your help?"
I wanted to say a lot of things, but only said, "No problem, glad I was able to help."
"Can I buy you lunch or something? I don't know what I would have done without you?"
"That would be nice, but no. Just helping."
Renee got out of her car and approached me and gave me a tight hug. Her body felt like heaven as she pressed against me.
As she released me, I noticed her plates were from out of state.
"Renee, are you passing through? I see you're from out of state."
"Don't think I'm weird, but I have a job that starts tonight. I'm a dancer." As she was talking she blushed and seemed embarrassed.
"I don't think you're weird. Work is work. Where are you staying?"
"I'm actually looking for a room to rent. But here's my cell number. Call me and I'll let you know."
My mind was spinning and before I knew it, words were falling out of my mouth.
"I have a house nearby, why don't you rent from me?"
I couldn't believe what I had just offered to a perfect stranger. I knew nothing about her, was she a criminal on the run? A female serial killer? Or, was she just really a stranger in town looking for a place to stay?
Then I started thinking she must be thinking the same thing about me. For all she knew I was a creep hoping to lure her into a trap.
"Really?" Renee asked.
"Sure. I've got room and I could use a little extra cash. Would you like to see my place and then make a decision?"
Renee said, "Yes, let's go look."
As I drove home, I started thinking I'm doing something stupid. I had been a widower for several years. Hadn't really dated or seen anyone and now I had invited someone into my home.
After the short drive, we arrived at my house. I pulled into the garage and waited for Renee. I showed her around and she immediately offered to pay me $2000.00 per month to stay in my guest room. I was blown away by her offer and she mistook my surprise for a poor offer and then said, "If that's not enough, does $3000.00 work?"
"No, no. $2000.00 is way more than enough. Are you sure you can afford it?"
"I don't mean to brag," she said, "but I often make more than that in a night." Looking at her, that didn't surprise at all.
Here was the situation Renee and I were in.
The age difference between us is, I discovered later, about fifteen years. She is twenty six and I'm forty. She is a single professional dancer, a well paid stripper, and I have a small financial counseling business. We were a definite mismatch, but we were now roommates.