Gil made the turn and saw that the parking lot was almost empty. "Great!" he thought to himself. Over the last five years or so, the neighborhood had undergone gentrification and the population increase had made the gym overcrowded on most days. With the Thanksgiving-Christmas holiday season started, Gil figured that most of these new younger kids would be distracted from attending the gym with parties and heading home, wherever that may be.
Now 62, Gil still religiously went to the gym and for whatever genetic reasons, he was still very fit and could pass for someone in their 40s. Only his more salt than pepper hair and receding hairline would suggest he was older. As he scanned in and went upstairs to the weight and machine area of the gym, he smiled to himself already appreciating the emptiness of the space.
Taylor wasn't upset that a work assignment kept her in town this holiday. She was looking forward to just having time to herself and settle in to her relatively new city. There were several places around that she had wanted to explore but just hadn't had the time even though she had moved here over a year ago. Over the summer, she joined the gym hoping to get in to better shape for the snow sports and hiking that seemed to consume everyone here. At 32, most of her friends were in serious relationships but Taylor had no intention of trying to find anyone...she figured it would happen on its own timetable.
Ear pods in, humming to a Dua Lipa tune, Taylor was in her own world as she moved from one machine to the next. As she was setting up the next machine the release pin would not move. She tugged harder. Still no movement. Gil was moving across the gym floor and saw Taylor's frustrated efforts. He had seen her in the gym many times before, mixed in to the mass of 20, 30 and 40 somethings. As he walked over to help, he was able to get a better overall assessment than in the past. Taylor had her dark hair pulled back into a pony tail, ball cap on her head shielding her warm brown eyes and cute dimples.
"Excuse me, can I help?" Gil said as he reached her side. She didn't notice immediately since she was looking down and had her music going. A moment later she realized someone was standing next to her and looked up to see a handsome, mature man standing next to her trying to say something.
Flashing a smile and popping out one ear pod Taylor said "Hello, I'm sorry. Were you using this? It seems to be stuck".
"No, I saw you having a problem. May I help?" and with that Gil reached down to the release pin and pulled as he moved the seat with the other hand. The trick was taking pressure off of the pin. Taylor watched in amazement at how easy that was, and then flushed with a little embarrassment.
"Thank you!!!" Taylor beamed.
"No problem. Shout if you need help with anything else. This equipment is old and finicky" Gil replied, as he flashed his own perfect smile.
As Taylor went through the rest of her workout, she occasionally would eye Gil with a side look, or in the gym mirrors. She admired his physique, smile and general manner. Questions started to run through her head - why hadn't she noticed him before? Is he married? Girlfriend? What's his story? Oh well, time to get out of here and go clean up and meet up with some friends later for a holiday outing at a local bar.
Gil moved through his workout, glancing here and there at Taylor. Usually he didn't think much about anyone in the gym but those eyes and smile had done something to him. He watched her toned body go through the motions on the various machines and wished he was 30 years younger. She probably has a boyfriend, though he had never seen her with a guy in the gym or talk to anyone for that matter. He continued his workout and at some point Taylor had left the gym. Hopefully, he thought to himself, he would get to see her another time at the gym in the near future and maybe mutually smile or say hi.
After getting home from his workout, Gil saw that he had a few text messages from various friends. One was from Paul. He was going to be on Gil's side of town early evening and wanted to catch up over a beverage and bite. They hadn't hung out together much since Paul got married and moved to the other side of the city. Gil shot back a text saying "yes" and picked a location. A relatively lively new bar/restaurant, a type that seemed to be taking over every open spot in the neighborhood.
Gil and Paul opened the door to the restaurant and a medium roar of conversation and Christmas music hit them in the face. Holiday diners. Gil guided Paul to the right around a slight bend to a bar area. It was equally busy but they managed to find two bar stools just coming open and popped in. Gil ordered his standard - negroni, and Paul started with his usual Coors. Food was ordered and arrived, along with the next round of drinks. It was great catching up with Paul and hearing about his new married life. Those days of hanging out and looking for women seemed long ago, though it was actually only 5 years.
As the third round arrived, Gil felt a tap on his back. Turning he saw a familiar looking long haired brunette with a big smile. It was Taylor! She looked different with her hair down and out of gym clothes.
"Hey there, mister!" shot Taylor.
"Oh, hey back! I didn't recognize you at first, outside of the gym gear!" Gil replied. She looked amazing in a nice fuzzy sweater, jeans, and UGGs.
"I'm here with some friends, at the hi-top over there, for a holiday cocktail and saw you over here so I came over to say hi! I'm Taylor by the way."
Gil looked over her shoulder to the hi-top nearby and saw four other women chatting and laughing. "Looks like a fun crowd...I'm Gil. This is my friend Paul." Paul and Taylor nodded and smile politely at each other.
"You're empty handed." Gil observed. "Can I buy you a drink?"
"No way, Gil. I owe you for helping me in the gym!"
"Well I just got a new drink so maybe a rain check?"
"How about a shot of something fun then? Bailey's?"
"Sure!"
Three shots arrived, one for Paul too, and glasses clinked and a toast to happy holidays with the drinks going down immediately thereafter.
"Thank you, Taylor!" Gil. He leaned over and gave a brief, friendly hug. "Go get back to your friends. I'm sure they are missing you. See you in the gym soon."
"You bet, Gil! See you there!"
He admired her as she walked back to her friends. Once she reached the table she said something and they all looked towards Gil and Paul, and then went back to their discussion.
Gil and Paul talked for another 20 minutes and finished their drinks. Gil said "I'm calling it a night. Are you ok to drive home Paul?"
"Yes! We've been here two hours and I've only had three light beers and that shot, plus that huge dinner."
"Alright, but you know you can crash at my place if you need to."
They started to make their way to the door, and Taylor yelled out "Gil!"
Gil and Paul made their way over to the table and said hello quickly.
"Gil, would you please take a group photo of us?"
"Sure thing!" Taylor handed him her cell phone and Gil snapped a few photos.
"Ok, now one with you and Paul too!" Taylor took a group selfie photo.