2/22/12

That Wonderful Attraction
By Michael Plesset


We were not a couple, but there was a group of us going on a picnic and I offered to pick her up, since it was on the way to where we were meeting. I looked forward to seeing her, she was always happy, cheerful and seemed really glad to see me, though I’m sure she was that way with everybody.

She came out the front door of the house when she saw my car pull up. She was wearing very short shorts, and seeing her bare legs for the first time startled me, she was really gorgeous. The rest of the afternoon I would look at her whenever I thought she wouldn’t notice, though she must have.

That night when I was back home I still had her in my mind. She was pretty, with that great smile and sweet, cheerful temperament, but now the image of those gorgeous bare legs was all I could think about.

I was really enslaved by the sight of those perfectly graceful thighs because I couldn’t get it out of my mind. If I hadn’t seen that I’d still be free, but now I have an image, that can’t be erased, of something I cannot hold, but holds me captive.

It’s so unfair to me, I thought, where was modesty, to protect and spare me pain, delicious pain, for what I can not touch.

Maybe some of those conservative religions have a good point, keep women at least somewhat covered up, to prevent the terrible frustration of all consuming, overwhelming attraction.

I tried to stop thinking about her, but no other subject would work. I pictured touching her soft skin and perfect curving shape, holding her and not wanting to ever let go, gently taking off all her clothes, then kissing her from head to toe and back again. It was the combination of all the things, her lively, friendly spirit and constant smile, and now those legs I couldn’t take my eyes off, or get out of my mind.

Over the next week I thought about her often, and looked forward to the next time I’d see her. Then one morning in the mail I got a letter that had her return address. It read:

“Dear friends:

Tom and I have gotten engaged, and we’re having a little party to celebrate, we hope you all will come and join us at this happy time.”

I know there’s a big difference between fantasy and reality, but I can’t control my feelings, and I’m sad, disappointed, and feeling hurt. Of course I didn’t have a real relationship, but even one that’s just imagined, or wished for, can have deep feelings, just like a real one, and it’s not easy to get over. It will take a long, long time.


- - -
Michael Plesset did undergraduate and graduate work in mathematics, philosophy, sociology and English literature, and attended seminary at one time. He has published poetry, short fiction and non-fiction articles. He has worked in the space program and the computer industry, wrote material for a stand-up comedian, and has taught English to Chinese students for the last 10 years.