Sarah and I have known each other for a number of years. I don't know if you would call us friends because we always seemed to see each other at parties and other events mutual friends would have. We each have a rather eclectic group of friends. All are well-educated and there are a wide range of ages. I am not sure of the age of our youngest member but the eldest is a spry 92-year-old woman who had taught math at Radcliffe College until it was merged with Harvard and finished her career there. We have doctors, lawyers, financial analysts, a screen writer, several people who do nothing at all, as far as I can tell, but who live off wealth handed down to them. I spent a career as an engineer, electronics first and then computer system design in an R&D facility. I was able to retire 10 years ago and have enjoyed traveling with my wife to many places around the globe.
One day I was at a local coffee shop in Cambridge when I bumped into Sarah, literally. What happened was I had just gotten my coffee and turned around a bit too quickly and knocked Sarah's coffee out of her hand and, no onto her, but onto me. I yelped a bit and she apologized.
I had not known she was behind me so after a moment of surprise at seeing her there I said, "Sarah, it's so nice to bump into you!"
"I'm really sorry I spilled my coffee on you."
"Well, actual it is I who owe you an apology as it was my arm that hit your coffee making it entirely my fault. Let me get you another." I could see immediately she was going to protest but I quickly added, "I insist! Not argument!"
She got her coffee and after I paid for it I asked, "Are you rushing off or do you have time to sit and chat for a while?"
"Well, actually, I am rushing off." I guess a little disappointment appeared on my face because she next said, "but you know what? I'd love to sit and chat with you for a bit."
We found a couple of open seats and chatted about friends, what was going on in our lives, the usual. Then unexpected our conversation turned to something we had mentioned to one another in passing but never discussed; we both suffer from panic disorder. That quickly turned an otherwise light conversation into one that was both deep and very personal.
Then suddenly the conversation stopped, and we just looked at one another waiting for something to be said. She then asked, "Can I ask you something?"
"Anything, and I do mean anything."
"Why have you always been so nice to me?"
Her question caught me entirely off guard. In my mind I briefly considered the virtues of being entirely truthful with her and saying something also true but not the real reason. "Sarah, you are a beautiful and attractive woman. What guy wouldn't want to be around you?" Those words did not sound quite right so I quickly followed with, "plus you have always been so nice to me in return. It just seemed to work."
"Wow, really?"
"What?" I asked mystified.
"You think I'm beautiful?"
I had had this discussion with other men in our group and we had all agreed she was every man's wet dream. "I can't believe you'd have to ask that question. Of course, I do. What guy in his right mind would not?"
"Oh, you'd be surprised!"
"Well, yes, I would."
Then she asked a question I had not seen coming, "Do you want to go back to my place? It's only a couple of blocks from here?"
"Okay. I thought you lived in the Back Bay (Boston)."
"No, I just work there, can't afford to live there."
Sarah lived just a couple of blocks down Brattle Street in one of the few apartments to exist on the entire street. I was an old apartment building but very nice. Her apartment was a bit messy when we entered and for which she apologized. Otherwise it seemed like a very cozy place to live.
"So, where's your boyfriend?" I asked as my conscience kicked in.
"What boyfriend?"
"Oh, I just assumed you had one."
"I took a hiatus from men over a year ago. You remember Paul, that asshole, he pretty much made me feel like all men are useless jerks." Before I could say anything, she continued. "Not you! You've always been nice to me and a total gentleman.
To describe Sarah, she has dirty blonde hair, is about 5 feet 9 and I doubt much more than 120 pounds. She has a very nice figure which I had seen via her Facebook account with her in a bathing suit.