A small ad in the personals under 'Men Seeking Women' nets me two hundred letters each and every time.
LOST
Are you searching for a new way?
Would you like guidance?
I can help!
Most of the letters talk of workshops or seminars and the like; I abandon those. I watch for the quiet shy and often less confident women; these I call. We talk on the phone many times before meeting and because there is often a large age difference they seldom consider our meeting a date.
They talk about their lives and I listen.
Tam
Tam was a tomboy in her youth and the nickname stuck. We have talked often on the phone but this is the first time we've met in person. I am early by design, watching as she enters the coffeehouse amidst a bouquet of bags, purses and umbrella. Her shoes are the heavy, laced boots in style with the younger set, her coat is a ragged wool thing which has seen better days and her hat is a multi-colored tam of strange design, hence the appellation. She wears cheap jewelry and no makeup.
We make eye contact and I stand offering my hand to welcome her. With introductions behind us, I take a second survey of this little waif. Her hair shines from brushing; nothing in the way of a hairdo, just hair. Her eyes are bright with excitement, which I can hear in her voice. "I'm so glad we could meet. I so enjoy our talks on the phone, I' wanted to meet you in person." This delivered in one burst, the first blush of excitement past she sits back to check me out.
Her eyes survey me as she smiles and I take the opportunity to get a closer look at the person behind the voice I have come to recognize on the phone. The confidence is there, she just hasn't envisioned anything more than her youth. That vision would change her wardrobe and then her world. I wonder how much of that change I can partake in.
"I have two questions." I'm startled, because Tam has never been this forward. "First, am I what you expected? Second, what do you see?"
First, no! Because I've learned to avoid expectation, it only brings disappointment. Second, I see someone who sees herself as less than who she is. I don't mean to demean, but you are more than you see yourself as.
Our meeting is brief, no more than an hour. We agree to meet again for lunch the next week. I am optimistic about our future.
Kathryn
We met at the coffeehouse 6 months ago after many conversations on the phone. We've met for lunch often. A month ago I changed our relationship. I gave her a birthday gift, a full body makeover, massage, pedicure, manicure, hairdo and makeup the works. I delivered her to the salon, helped her choose a hairstyle, and made sure she didn't cop out of any of the treatment. I came to pick her up at 5:00.
If I hadn't seen what she was wearing in the morning I wouldn't have known whom to pick up tonight. This was definitely a makeover.
I open the car door for her and she thanks me again with a peck on my cheek. My arm circles her waist while my other hand lifts her chin; I kiss her on the mouth. I can feel her body melt into mine as we hold the kiss, slowly she yields to my tongue and I explore her mouth before separating. "You'll muss my lipstick." She chides as she slides into the passenger seat. "You're almost as old as my Dad, but I can't seem to picture you as my Uncle."
"Call me your friend" is my only response." Sliding into the driver's seat I turn on some heat and turn to Kay. "Are you tired or energized?"
"Oh, I feel like I could run a marathon. The last thing I am is tired." Her smile is mischievous as she curls her shoulders and presses her hands into her lap like a cat cuddling herself.
"Well I thought if you were tired I would drop you at home to get some rest. If you don't feel tired I would like to suggest a little shopping spree and dinner at my favorite Greek restaurant afterward." My smile is infectious; I am looking forward to the next blossoming of this beautiful rose.
My smile is returned as Kay responds. "I would love to have dinner with you but you don't have to buy me more things!"
"You've had all day enjoying yourself and your going to deny me a little bit of pleasure?" My mock anger doesn't carry to my eyes and she doesn't buy it.
"If you must, I guess it will be alright." She attempts a serious face and fails as her smile shines through.
I dial the restaurant and make an 8:30 reservation. "Now it's time to shop."
Kay's response is quick. "What did you have in mind for shopping?"
I consider her question and recall our past. "I bought a blouse which you seem to enjoy."
"Yes, I love the feel of it on my skin. But silk is so expensive I'm almost afraid to wear it."
"You are worth the silk, please enjoy. The peasant skirt, you liked it as well?" I'm leading I know. It's a habit I don't plan on losing.
"I love the skirt. I've never had one that wasn't second hand. It's so fine and I love the way it moves with me." Kay's excitement is rising. We haven't been more physical than kissing at this point but she can see a change coming.