Chapter 3. Gerry. (June 1993)
While having a sandwich in the park before setting out on the journey home, I became aware of an oldish guy eyeing me up from an opposite bench. He pretended to be reading a newspaper but spent more time ogling my legs! He hadn't made a move by the time I'd finished my sandwich though, so standing up and smoothing crumbs from my skirt I started walking towards the park gate. I'd almost reached it when, breathing heavily and using a stick, the old guy with the newspaper caught me up. I say old because at 29 he seemed old to me. Actually he was 57, which isn't particularly old.
"Excuse me I think you dropped this. It was near the bench where you were sitting." Breathing heavily he handed me a letter.
"I don't think so." I replied seeing at a glance that it was addressed to a Gerald somebody or other and with a local address. "Perhaps it was already there when I sat down."
I handed the letter back to the guy who continued to walk beside me to the gate. Seeing me unlock the car he asked about a lift.
"I live towards the motorway, right on the edge of town if you're going that way. I'll have a long wait for a bus so you'd be doing me a real favour," he told me, adding, "I'm pretty harmless, can't get about very quick since I injured my foot."
Well as I was driving in that direction anyway I told the guy to climb in.
During the drive I learnt that he was a widower, his wife having died nearly 6 years earlier, and was currently off work sick following the accident to his foot. His name was Gerry, the significance of which escaped me until I pulled into the road he indicated and realised it was the same as the address on the letter. Gerry, Gerald it had been a ploy to speak to me all along!
Well I said nothing to indicate I'd recognised the coincidence of the address and perhaps surprised Gerry by agreeing to his invitation for a coffee.
Inside, Gerry departed to the kitchen and I took my short jacket off wondering how he would play it from here. When he came back Gerry's hand shook as he placed my coffee on the low table beside the settee where I was sitting, my shortish black skirt displaying my legs to advantage. Sitting down opposite, Gerry loosened his tie while casting surreptitious glances at my legs. While we talked I crossed and uncrossed my legs several times, my hemline riding higher and the guy's face growing redder.
"Well then Gerry, or should I call you Gerald. Was the letter just an elaborate ploy to get me into your house so you can seduce me?"
"Ah you've realised. I apologise, it was a clumsy effort but I haven't had sex since my wife died and you looked so very attractive sitting in the park that I couldn't help myself." Gerry explained looking embarrassed.
