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Running some errands I pulled into the shopping center to pick up some scotch at the liquor store. In the next row over I was treated to an interesting view. A woman wearing a short pleated dress was bent over, doing something in the very full trunk of her car. The dress was short enough that I could tell she wasn't commando but didn't know if I was catching sight of panties or shorts. Mentally shrugging, I went into the store to make my purchases.
I'm an introvert and, until I turned about fifty, very, very shy around women with low self-esteem. Prior to the advent of online dating, all the relationships and hook ups I'd had were initiated by the woman involved. Online dating sites were a revelation to me. I'm comfortable writing, and modestly like to think I'm half way decent at it. Breaking the ice through messages allowed me to form a fledgling relationship before talking and meeting.
But I had been consciously attempting to break out of my shell in real life. So after I stashed my scotch in the car, I walked over and said "There was a time when I would have given you a well-deserved wolf whistle, but I suppose that's no longer politically correct."
"That's a shame," she said, straightening up and turning to face me. "A woman always likes to be appreciated, so thank you anyway." She was smiling as she told me this.
"In that case..." I said and then whistled my appreciation, bringing forth a hearty laugh from her. "Quite a full trunk you have there," I said pointing to the car lest she think I meant her butt.
"Yeah, I'm staying with a girlfriend who had a spare bedroom when I dumped my cheating boyfriend a few months ago. But the closet is way too small for all my things, so I'm trying to decide what to donate." The Goodwill store was in this same shopping center, a couple of units down from the liquor store.
"Ahh, sorry to hear that. Been there, done that. It's no fun," I commiserated.
"Your boyfriend cheated on you?" she said with a grin.
"Quick but nope, girlfriend. Nothing against gays but that's just not for me," I explained.
"Good to know. I'm Lily by the way," she said, holding out her hand to shake.
I took her hand but rather than shaking I lifted it to my face and kissed the back of it. "Terry," I replied.
"Well, I think I've got this sorted so I guess I should drive over to Goodwill and let them take it. Nice meeting you."
"Look, it's about lunch time. I was just going to get a sandwich. Would you care to join me?" I invited.
"That would be nice. You made me laugh for the first time in like forever."
"Great. I'll wait until you finish your donations and then you can follow me over. I was thinking that little sandwich shop behind the Dollar General. Is that okay?"
"I don't know it so I'll rely on your judgement. You did whistle at an attractive woman so you have some sense of taste," she joked.
When we arrived at the sandwich shop and parked I escorted her inside. We stood at the counter reviewing the menu choices. Lily ordered a ham and cheese on rye with chips and a drink. I chose the small Italian sub, no chips, and a drink. I paid for everything and then we moved to the drink station. Lily got sweet iced tea while I selected sugar free lemonade. Then we selected a table and sat.
"So, you're not native based on your accent, or rather lack of one," Lily declared. "Where did you grow up?"
"The Hudson River Valley of upstate New York, with time also in the Berkshire Mountains, further east. They divide New York and Massachusetts," I explained. "And I'm guessing you are native as you have that sexy Southern accent."
"Bone and razed," she replied, adopting a grossly exaggerated accent. "Spent most of my life in the Atlanta area until the cheating incident," she continued in her normal voice.
"Big adjustment coming here from the big city."
"It is, but I'm learning I mostly like it here," she said.
"Mostly?" I asked.
"Well, I've been here about nine months. I've been hit on numerous times and even went on a few dates. But the locals here are pretty caveman - they seem to think women are possessions to use as they choose."
It was my turn to laugh. "I've heard that from other women, so I'm sure it's true. The guys I know aren't like that, but they've all been married for decades. I have similar issues with dating. Hard to find a woman my age who still has all her teeth - or at least crowns to fill in the empty spots!"
Lily laughed again, a delightful sound. I noticed she was one of those people who smile with their entire face, not just their mouth. It's infectious.
"Well, if you'll just give me your number, maybe we can solve both our problems," I said in a daringly bold move for me.
"Let me see your phone," she demanded, holding out her hand. I held it up to my face to unlock it and handed it over. She opened the phone app and entered all her info into Contacts. I was surprised that she gave me her fully name and address, something few women would do when first meeting a stranger.
Next she closed the phone app and opened messaging, sending herself a text so she, too, had my number. "Thank you," I told her.
"I hope you're not one of those guys who thinks he has to wait two days before calling a woman lest she think he's desperate," she said.
When she handed my phone back I opened the phone app and clicked on her number. When she looked at her phone and saw my number she grinned again and answered with "Hello?"
"Does that answer your question," I asked.
"It's a start. We'll have to see where it goes from here," she replied.
"I was thinking dinner. Tonight. Unless you have plans," I said, again shocked at my forwardness. By now we'd finished eating and walked out to the parking lot. We stood beside her car as we continued our conversation.
"Well, I was going to see if I could find a caveman to drag me by the hair to his cave, but I can probably reschedule that," she said.
