In the previous stories about Mark and Eileen we learned how they both had a rubber boot fetish but were reticent to admit and would often accuse the other of having such. This story occurs some 30 years prior when they first met while doing graduate study at the University of Cork in Ireland. Please note that all of the characters at all time were over the age of 18.
It was September 1990 when Mark and Eileen had independently arrived in Cork to pursue graduate work: she would study contemporary Irish culture; he had enrolled in industrial archaeology, a special one-time offering that focused on the port that was also known as one of the best natural harbors to be found anywhere. They both arrived about two weeks prior to the beginning of class with the hopes of acculturating some. Knowing that Ireland was known for wet weather, Mark brought his six inch tall L.L. Bean boots which had served him well during his undergraduate days at the University of New Hampshire. Eileen, who had attended the University of North Carolina, was not as familiar with inclement weather and had only brought her leather knee-high boots.
Mark and Eileen first met at a foreign student reception during those first two weeks when they and their 80 colleagues attended the dean's welcome reception and were introduced to the campus. Over the next few days they each spent time finding where things were, both at the university and in the city. It wasn't long before most had discovered that fine Irish institution, the pub. It was during that first week that Mark had ventured out with some friends and at lunchtime ducked into an inviting place called the Giggling Pig for something to eat and to enjoy a pint. The morning had started out with a light drizzle so Mark wore his Bean boots and brought an umbrella. Eileen was not so lucky. As circumstances would have it, both groups wound up at the Giggling Pig. As the groups were about to leave that light drizzle turned to a steady rain. Mark was attracted to the cute redhead and seeing that Eileen was about to get drenched, offered her the shelter of his umbrella to which she readily accepted.
After walking barely a block and a half, the steady rain turned into a downpour. Eileen, wearing her leather boots, soon had soaked feet.
"I'm afraid that these boots will never dry out!" she exclaimed. Then looking around and seeing other students in knee high rubber boots added, "I think those kinds of boots are a better idea than what I brought with me."
"You're probably right on that," Mark replied just as they were walking past a shop that had some wellies in the window. "You mean like these?" he asked.
"Yes. Exactly!" she said. They went inside and were greeted by a middle-aged Irish woman who inquired of what we were looking for.
"A pair of rubber boots," replied Eileen, although Mark had not yet learned her name.
"Oh, you want a pair of wellies then," the clerk responded.
"Yes. I guess so if that's what rubber boots are called. I'm from the U.S. so a size 8."
"That's going to be a Euro 39. I have them in black, green, blue, and red."
"Black sounds the most versatile," Eileen replied.
As the woman disappeared into the stockroom, Eileen sat down and pulled off her leather boot. "I don't even know you," she said. "I'm Eileen."
"Sounds like a good Irish name. I'm Mark. Pleased to meet you." Moments later the clerk returned with a pair of boxes and explained that she had both size 38 and 39. Eileen tried on the 39 and decided to wear them from the shop, which because of the downpour was a wise decision.
Mark walked Eileen back to her graduate student residence, she thanked him for the use of the umbrella, and they parted company. Over the next week and a half Mark saw Eileen several times and each time she was always wearing the wellies whether it was rain or shine. Finally, when he had an opportunity to have a conversation, he noted how she had bonded with her wellies.
"Oh, yes, the wellies. I love them. They are so comfortable and practical." Mark invited her to go for coffee and she readily accepted. It wasn't until then that he got her life's story, they had several mutual laughs, and began to get along famously. Over the next several days whenever he saw a woman, even at a distance, walking across campus wearing black wellies chances are it was Eileen. It didn't matter if she was in jeans, a skirt or a dress, but it was always with those wellies. It was ironic, too, because Mark was starting to think that she looked pretty sexy in them.