I've documented my gentleman callers for years on these pages and in my facebook notes. They come from everywhere. Retired professionals working part-time at odd jobs, a friend's father, a casual grocery store encounter, someone I met having lunch with someone else. They never pan out. If you remember, the last one turned out to be senile. I haven't made much eye contact with men my age since then.
It doesn't help that I've been in the position to have many male friends over the years and today. I think nothing of it. Sometimes men get confused, however, and believe that I'm doing a little spooning of my own. A lot of the gentlemen my age have never had female friends. They think I'm out to get a husband, a dinner date, a ride.
I know the difference! I also recognize a gentleman caller when I see one. I usually back up, lower my head, and tense up my shoulders. They almost always want a wife, a dinner date, or a ride. Most of us in this group can no longer see to drive at night.
So I went into Publix to get some supplies for Granny Camp and a couple of umbrellas. The storm began as soon as I entered the safety of the store. I was still dry. (I've lost and broken all my rain gear this summer. It's been like monsoon season around here.)
My latest gentleman caller met me at the store entrance. "Find me when you get to check-out and I will take you out to your car." I shook my head. "I'm going to buy an umbrella." Sometimes I can't help smiling. "No, we'll let you wear a Publix poncho." He points to the stack of plastic rain gear near the door.
I wandered the aisles picking up child-friendly food. I snatched up the last huge, ugly golf umbrella. I selected a small purse umbrella. I've been soaked three times this week. I've ripped my coat and demolished my two purse umbrellas. I headed to the front of the store.
Of course, I ignored the idea of finding anyone special to help me outside. I never get help. It gives me a little exercise to wrestle with cat liter, cases of cold drinks, and big jugs of detergent. I paid for my items and looked towards the door. The gentleman caller was standing, hand on poncho. I gestured outside. The sun was shining brightly!
The moral of the story is this. If you want the sun to come out, buy rain gear!!!
