Chapter 3 It had to happen
Four days later
The bittersweet frustration has faded just enough to let me focus on other things. If anything, I'm a bit peeved that he led me on. If I ever see him again an appropriately disinterested communication will have to be formulated, not rejecting or huffy, just neutral. Business like, which is what I always would like to be.
I will tell him it was cruel, explain that no one has made love to me in years (technically correct) and that part of me had gone into hibernation. But he woke me, and now men my own age don't interest me. (damm true) But I can't have him, and ...whatever, you can't always get what you want. He is an itch I can't reach for scratching. He holds all the cards now.
Thinking about it in those terms made me sad, never angry, because he wasn't intentionally unkind. A little blubber came out, and I felt better. What lesson have I learned? Probably none.
Four months later
Garden guy has resurfaced, claims he is coming to see me on Thursday, when I return to Canberra for more comedy. He wants some pics, gently begs me.
Quote from texts
But by this time a lot has come to pass, and I'm in love with an old swinger who is also a true country gentleman.
I won't tell garden guy that's what I'm doing, but as Joan Didion said, "a writer is always there to sell someone out."
Over the months his texts would pop up on an almost cyclical basis. I should have noted the data set of our communications.
I decided he's just a tease, and told him so. He hasn't got the courage. He begged for a shot of my ass, and I obliged. Then I sent it to some of the others...
I was starting to understand the currency of sexual seduction. Men get turned on by visuals, women get turned on by touch. My son told me that, and it seems true. I crave caresses.
Two years later