This is a true Story. Some parts, especially the ending, I wish weren't true. When you've finished reading, and hopefully enjoying, putting yourself in the role of either myself or "Tea", I'd be very curious for feedback if you've ever had a similar on-line sexual encounter, thanks!
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Admittedly, I was very much a novice, a turtle peeking out of his shell when it came to on-line dating. I'd been in a long-term (seven years, is that long enough?) relationship that had run its course, but still left me in a bit crestfallen. Then, one of my female co-workers, who met her own new BF on-line, urged me to join snatch.com or match.cum (euphemisms, sure, but not entirely inaccurate ones).
I composed the witty profile, posted the All-American-male photo or two, one in a suit and tie, the other as a doting dad, all the non-beefcake stuff, I hadn't tried to seduce a woman by taking my shirt off in about fifteen years. Now, my pants, that's another matter altogether, but that's for private showings only. And, boyohboy, did Tea demand a private showing
I think my profile cleared approval for public viewing on a Friday, and by Saturday, I'd already received quite a few promising emails. I wondered could it really be this easy, I was hooked. However, I didn't respond to any right away, I was traveling that evening from my home in Northern Virginia, just outside of D.C., to go to North Jersey to visit my old college roommate, Dave, for the Eagles-Giants game that Sunday.
I told him about my foray into the wonderful world of electronic fornication (let's face it, that is the ultimate goal for any male on these sites), and gave him my password so he could peruse for himself. We had way too much sangria over dinner, and I turned in early in his spare bedroom. Dave, who in his divorce case was termed by his ex-wife as having 'an unhealthy appetite for porn', used the occasion to divert his favorite pastime for an evening, and cruised through the dating site to peek in on my latest would-be paramours while I was sleeping.
When I awoke Sunday morning, I groggily stumbled to the den and saw that Dave was still sitting at the computer. I wondered if he had been there all night. He looked at me with the shit-eating grin that only really old friends can truly appreciate. "How much did you pay for this membership?"
I told him the nominal fee for the thirty-day initial program. His grin grew wider. "Well, my man, I think you just hit the lottery. Look at this one. Jesus H. Christ!" (Sidebar, at the sake of being innocently sacrilegious, just what was Jesus' middle name, anyway, Harold? Do you suppose maybe his business card read J. Harold Christ, son of God?)
I peered over Dave's shoulder at the screen. Even before I got really close, I could see her main photo, a tall, slender, sparkling blue-eyed blonde with close-cropped spiked hair, smiling seductively into the lens, wearing a midriff cranberry colored tank-top with white short-shorts. I echoed Dave's exhortation to Jesus and let out a low whistle. She was stunning, if I had to paint a picture of a dream girl, she would have been a close approximation to the police profile sketch. I love 'em tall and thin. Opposites attract.
"It gets better, buddy," Dave smirked. "Read what she wrote. Too good to be true."
I hurriedly pushed him out of the chair and took command of the mouse. I noticed the address on her profile was Jacksonville, North Carolina, and immediately agreed this had to be a hoax of some kind, since I lived in Fairfax, Virginia. Yet, of course, I flicked to the next screen with the introductory e-mail, and read what she wrote, with amazement, the tent in my short rising with each paragraph.
"Hi, handsome! I guess you're wondering why I'm writing to you from the Tar Heel state. Well, you've got a long-distance admirer, and three things work in your favor, should you be interested in following up by calling me."
I read on, completely hooked now, but still understandably skeptical.
"One, there isn't much down in these neck of the woods except Marine boys in their teens. Two, I loved your profile, and find you very witty and attractive, not to mention extremely cute. Three, I've never been to DC, I've always wanted to visit, and it just so happens I have this upcoming weekend free. My daughter just started at East Carolina and I'm a lonely empty-nester looking for something new. Care for a guest to show around town?"
Love, Theresa (but call me "Tea", everyone does) #908-xxx-xxxx
I looked up at Dave who grabbed the mouse from me to click through the remaining photos that Tea had posted, all tasteful, nothing overtly provocative, but there was no need for her to be. She was a goddess, that incredibly erotic combination of wholesome, athletic, yet with that semi-slutty twinkle in her eye. Picture Elle McPherson with a spiky hairdo dyed blonde.
I shook my head, always the glass half-empty conspiracy theorist. "There's no way, this is one of those scams, has to be." I looked up again at Dave, seeking confirmation. "Right?"
Dave looked at me slack-jawed, incredulous. He pushed me so hard I nearly toppled from the chair. "Dickhead, jerkoff, stupid Motherfucker! I can't believe you! If you don't call her this morning, I'm going to. I just hope she has a thing for bearded Jewish men with good Giants tickets."