David kept close, smiled big and engaged me in conversation as often as he could. The big dimples, nice smile and bright eyes made it easy to pick up conversation with this young man. Even when it was my turn at karaoke, I could see him watching intently. After two songs and a cocktail, I found myself consumed in conversation teetering on debate with Young David. At one point when he excused himself to go to the bathroom, I realized that his friendly demeanor and genuine interest in my opinions incited my strong, almost bullying viewpoints.
Upon his return I apologized for being so strong with my dissenting opinions on politics and suburban living. I explained that he was so easy to talk with that I overindulged in debate tactics. He responded that it was fine. He liked it. At that moment, it dawned on me that Young David thought anything I did that night was fine as I saw smitten kitten in his eyes.
I stepped back and took it all in: the tête-à-tête, the dimples and the hopeful eyes. He was oh-so young, but I was becoming smitten, too. The strong emotions that stirred in me during conversation evolved into attraction. I smiled and responded to his attention with a light touch of his arm, then his knee. Next thing I knew we were kissing. And kissing. Pull back for breath. Oh yeah, then kissing again.
As we made eye contact, Young David noticed I was blushing. “Why?” he asked.
“Maybe because I had no idea that I’d be kissing someone tonight. And REALLY enjoying it.”
I then noticed beneath his darker skin tone, he was blushing, too. Little red apples resting above his big dimples. He wouldn’t concede that he was blushing. He just redirected discussion to my rosiness. I offered my number. He proclaimed he wanted to take me to dinner. I felt it fair to share exactly how old I was because even at his top guess, I was still in a higher age bracket. He tried his darnedest to look OK with our 14-year difference. I offered that it was OK if we didn't go out. The kisses were nice. That was enough. He was insistent that we were to dine together in the near future.
Even when I got home my face continued to feel warm and my heart raced. I marveled how quickly the night turned into one of the best kissing experiences I’d ever had. Perplexed. I could not see this going anywhere but something akin to shampoo instructions: kiss, rinse, repeat.
Over the next 24 hours Young David texted, and I replied. I normally do not like texting as a way to get to know someone, but our date would be Saturday night, and I was curious what Young David does with his days.
By Saturday evening, Young David called regretfully that his nephew had an accident, and he would not be able to see me that night. I was silent and saddened. I pined to exercise shampoo-instruction-similar activity. But, my mind raced to our conversations: He was deciding whether to finish the last few credits to earn his degree. I was contemplating whether to diversify my retirement portfolio into some safer investments as I was nearing the mid-point in my career.
When he offered to call me the next day to plan a date for the next weekend, I softly begged, “No. Thursday was great. Please don’t.”
“OK” he responded with what I believed to be disappointment and relief all in one. I would not take away my Young David kissing experience, but it was a moment not to be repeated.
What an unexpected suprise you had my dear! I once heard that “Kissing is like drinking salted water: you drink and your thirst increases” ... and you know if you drink enough salt water, it would kill you. I think you are wise to note to take pleasure in a fleeting moment but perhaps you misjudge that Young David yearned to be nothing more than a fleeting kiss? Ultimately, I say if by NYE you are not madly in love with another... you should text David ;-)
ReplyDeleteI completely agree w/ fb25.... my dear hubby and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary and our 10th dating anniversary this past summer. Nobody would guess that there's 19 years between us. :-)
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