I had been in therapy for three months and had just come to the realization that I was in actual fact attractive to women. I'd spent the last twenty-six years thinking women had only been interested in me for money (That I didn't have.) felt sorry for me or in some way or had ulterior motives for wanting to be with me. However it turns out I'm sexy!
Times that girls had quickly turned away from me when I looked in their direction wasn't because they had realised what an ugly git I was, it's because I'm sexy and make some people feel self-conscious because of it. To think it only took my therapist to knock me about the head with a big, heavy book to make me see sense. Her words were something like. "When I first met you, you struck me as being amazingly self-aware but it has been a struggle for you to accept that you're attractive."
This was the first day with my new self-awareness; it felt good. So good I thought I'd take the day off work. I'd called in sick. Now I could strut about all day revelling in it. Indulgent of me maybe but I thought I had it coming.
I thought an early lunch would be a good idea so I headed to a little café in the nearby shopping centre. It was one of those self-service places where you walk along with a tray selecting you own meal. Not really busy yet but it had a quiet buzz of private conversations about the room. I got myself a tray and began picking my way along the counter.
The whoosh of steam from the espresso machine bought back memories of my Mum taking my sisters and I into cafés as children. I always liked to eat the little packets of sugar cubes that would be on the table. Mum always said I'd get diabetes if I ate to many of them. It's a shame this place didn't have red formica tables I'd have been transported back in time.
As I got near to the cashier I could hear her conversation with a very attractive woman paying for her food.
"What should I do? He's very good-looking but I think he's a bit shy. Do you think I should ask him?" The attractive woman was saying as I moved my tray up next to hers.
They both looked at me. I smiled then busied myself with finding my wallet.
"What would you do?" Asked the cashier, looking at me for an answer.
"What would I do about what?" I replied as if I hadn't been listening.
"What would you do if Beth here asked you out for a drink?"
This is the point where in the past I'd have gone bright red, mumble something stupid, then shuffled off thinking they where making fun of me. Not today!
"I'd ask where she was taking me."
"Really? You'd like being asked out by a woman?" Beth asked.
"Are you kidding? I can't think of anything better than being asked out for a drink by a sexy woman." Then I handed over my money and asked the casher if my coffee could be bought over to me. I winked then moved off to find a table.
Maybe the wink and the sexy bit were over the top but they both had big grins as I left. When my coffee arrived Beth had brought it over.
"Do you mind if I sit with you?" She asked.
"No, by all means, please sit." I said managing to keep my cool.
She was so good looking. Older than me in her late thirties I'd guess, red hair and a sharp but delicate face. I tried to act as if this happened to me every day.
"Would you?" she asked "Like to go out for a drink I mean?" Looking strait into my eyes with an unwavering stare that made me feel slightly uneasy.
"Sure I'd love to. When are you free?"
"How about today?" She said with a shy, mischievous, smile.
I laughed a little at this, it was the look on her face. Here was someone whom I thought was very sophisticated, at lest ten year my senior, looking like a naughty schoolgirl.
"I'm not busy today... Why not." I was trying to play it like I wasn't about to shout and jump for joy. Bliss, I think they call it?
"Where would you like to go for this drink?" I asked as nonchalantly as I could.
The schoolgirl look widened across her handsome face. Her eyes grow in size again. "How about a hotel. Down on the seafront?"
I was slightly stunned. I'm not used to being propositioned. I just looked at her for a moment, astonished. She started to look uncomfortable and shifted in her seat. I had to say something fast or she would bolt.
"I'm sorry, I'm not used to beautiful women asking me to hotels. I think it's a great idea." She looked relieved.
"I don't ask lots of men. This is my first time." She was trying to cover her self. I felt for her. It takes a lot to approach someone. I can only imaging what it was like for a woman. Our society is still hung up on old stereotypes.