Don't say it doesn't mean Jack...
Travelling to and from Prescott, Arizona is not as easy as just hopping on a plane and having someone pick you up at the airport. Phoenix, the only city of substantial size in Arizona, is a good 100-some-odd miles south of Prescott, meaning I could either rent a car, or take the glorious Prescott Transit Authority shuttle for the two-to-two-and-a-half hour drive through the hilly terrain. Renting a car was ridiculously expensive, especially since I would have no need for it once I got to Prescott. So I took the shuttle both ways.
On my return trip to the airport, I scheduled my shuttle trip with plenty of time, because Arizona is currently suffering from an onslaught of wildfires, and the interstate had had some sporatic closures because of it. I had a 3:30 flight, but I boarded the PTA shuttle at 11, just make sure. As I sat down with my book and my baggie of cashews, ready for the long drive, I said a hi and how are ya to the handsome guy next to me. Well, at least as good looking as a man can be with longish - almost mullet-like- hair and a big silver loop earring. (Don't be too harsh, he's from Idaho. They've got to be somewhat fashion challenged up there. It's in the middle of nowhere. They're probably just now hearing about the wonder that is the zipper...)
Seriously, though, the guy was really my type. At least 6'4", beautiful blue eyes, a fabulously manly build, and a killer smile. Unfortunately, we also had a wedding ring. Despite that fact, Jack and I had an instant connection, and kept each other entertained for the entire ride to the airport. I never even opened my book, or my baggie of cashews. We had some great conversations, pleasant banter, and all-in-all, I was sad when we reached the airport far ahead of schedule. I truly enjoyed this man's company.
Having arrived at the airport with plenty of time to kill, we agreed we'd both made our way through security and meet at a bar in the terminal. There, we sat for another forty-five minutes or so, wowing each other with witty reparte and dreading the ever nearing hour when his flight would board.
When he stood up to leave, he looked me in the eyes, put his hand on my cheek in a very comforting and not at all sexual way, and told me that I was one of the most witty, intelligent, and "uniquely beautiful" women he had ever met. It was our very first moment of awkwardness, and he started to say something about how he was unsure whether or not we should contact exchange information. Before he could get through the sentence, he trailed off, as we both knew the answer was no. He is married, and has a wife and two children under the age of ten. There was no reason for us to be in contact. I told him how much I enjoyed meeting him, and he told me how much he enjoyed meeting me, and we hugged and he left, and that was the end of that.
What Jack didn't realize is that he gave me something very special. I felt a renewed faith in myself, knowing that YES I AM a beautiful, witty, intelligent woman, and some day, some guy out there will, like Jack, recognize that fact.
Only hopefully, the next time, he won't already be married.
On my return trip to the airport, I scheduled my shuttle trip with plenty of time, because Arizona is currently suffering from an onslaught of wildfires, and the interstate had had some sporatic closures because of it. I had a 3:30 flight, but I boarded the PTA shuttle at 11, just make sure. As I sat down with my book and my baggie of cashews, ready for the long drive, I said a hi and how are ya to the handsome guy next to me. Well, at least as good looking as a man can be with longish - almost mullet-like- hair and a big silver loop earring. (Don't be too harsh, he's from Idaho. They've got to be somewhat fashion challenged up there. It's in the middle of nowhere. They're probably just now hearing about the wonder that is the zipper...)
Seriously, though, the guy was really my type. At least 6'4", beautiful blue eyes, a fabulously manly build, and a killer smile. Unfortunately, we also had a wedding ring. Despite that fact, Jack and I had an instant connection, and kept each other entertained for the entire ride to the airport. I never even opened my book, or my baggie of cashews. We had some great conversations, pleasant banter, and all-in-all, I was sad when we reached the airport far ahead of schedule. I truly enjoyed this man's company.
Having arrived at the airport with plenty of time to kill, we agreed we'd both made our way through security and meet at a bar in the terminal. There, we sat for another forty-five minutes or so, wowing each other with witty reparte and dreading the ever nearing hour when his flight would board.
When he stood up to leave, he looked me in the eyes, put his hand on my cheek in a very comforting and not at all sexual way, and told me that I was one of the most witty, intelligent, and "uniquely beautiful" women he had ever met. It was our very first moment of awkwardness, and he started to say something about how he was unsure whether or not we should contact exchange information. Before he could get through the sentence, he trailed off, as we both knew the answer was no. He is married, and has a wife and two children under the age of ten. There was no reason for us to be in contact. I told him how much I enjoyed meeting him, and he told me how much he enjoyed meeting me, and we hugged and he left, and that was the end of that.
What Jack didn't realize is that he gave me something very special. I felt a renewed faith in myself, knowing that YES I AM a beautiful, witty, intelligent woman, and some day, some guy out there will, like Jack, recognize that fact.
Only hopefully, the next time, he won't already be married.
posted by Flipside at 5:29 PM
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