The Greener Field

A Gentleman is Hard to Resist

         All that Sunday afternoon and evening Sarah thought about the date with Jess and how truly amazing it was that he did, in the end, not pressure her to sleep with him. And though she vaguely remembered wanting it to happen, she at least did not now have to feel disappointed in herself, or wake up feeling used. It was, after all, only their second official date. The fact was, Jess proved himself to be a real gentleman, and for that she was impressed. She thought about how incapacitated she was from the alcohol when they returned, yet could remember each detail of the lovely night perfectly. There was no doubt about it—she wanted to see him again, and enjoy his charming ways. 

            For this reason she picked up her phone three times that next evening with great anticipation. The first call was her friend Carrie who wanted to know how the date with Jess had gone. For it was she who had encouraged Sarah to not pass up the chance to see him again. When Carrie had heard that next evening through her own mother that it had happened, she of course wanted to hear every event of the evening in full detail. 

            "Listen, Carrie," Sarah admonished. "You know I'm not like that . . . to kiss and tell . . . This isn't high school anymore." 

            "I know . . . but I was just curious . . . if you had sex with him." 

            "Carrie! And NO . . . I didn't . . . but I wanted to. And that's been bugging me all day." 

            "Welcome to my life." 

            "No. Not like that.  Because I'll just be back. Back in that old terrifying place. Where you care so much for a guy . . . and then . . . it ends. All beyond your control." 

            "Hey, come on Sarah. We're not talking engagement here. Just use him for a while. To have a great time. You deserve it. Don't you?" 

            "NO, Carrie, I don't. And I'm sorry. . .  I just don't think like that. Besides, I really don't want to ever be hurt again." 

            "OK. I'm sorry. It's your decision. But he sounds perfectly delicious." 

            "Well, actually . . . he is delicious. Yes. Delicious. Damn!" 

            "So I guess you'll be seeing more of him then, huh sweetheart?" 

            "Carrie. . . Where are you? Back in the City?" 

            "Yup. Back on a big case, actually. Can't say what . . . but it's all about homeland security. I'm involved in this one. The heavy stuff." 

            "Well I don't want to know about that, OK Lara Croft? Just give me little Jose over at the clinic. With his severe speech impairment. And I'll feel my job is done at the end of the day." 

            "Yeah, OK. You see, you were always such a great athlete . . . but just no killer instinct, Sarah." 

            "Sorry, Lara, but I believe that weakness has served me well . . . at least most of the time.  And I've no desire to chase trouble . . . like you've apparently learned to do." 

            OK, sweetie. Well at least I'm glad you're back on track again with the furry beasts, anyway. As they say, 'you can't live with men, and can't live without'em." 

            "Well I don't know if you're right about that. But for now. . . yeah, I do want to see him again." 

            "OK. So when you leave him totally exhausted in bed next week . . . call me. I want to hear all about it."