Just like that, we were making out

Taken advantage of by an older woman

(January 17^th, 2008 / 0 comments)

Jackie had been coming into the bookstore pretty regularly for at least a month. She was a friendly woman who laughed a lot, so having her around was never a bother and I think we all enjoyed her company.

Tim had first introduced Jackie to the bookstore crew. She and her young son had recently immigrated from Colombia and were attending his church. Tim was clearly smitten with her. The rest of us noticed, and we secretly hoped that she would return his affection, although she didn't seem overly interested.

Helping a brother out

So, it was a relief when Jackie approached me and asked if I had any pointers for how to tell someone that you like them. It looked like Tim's attentiveness and flirting had finally paid off!

I was only 16 years old - Jackie was 27. I'm sure I had far less experience with romance than she, but I was too excited about helping Tim out to mention that.

I suggested in my most confident, grown-up voice that she fess up and tell the object of her affection how she felt. Beating around the bush and playing games wouldn't get her anywhere.

She explained in broken English her concern that this person would reject her - that her feelings wouldn't be returned - that she had only known them a short time - that it was too complicated to just blurt out, especially since she was still married to her son's father, who was currently incarcerated back in Colombia.

Regardless, I pushed for her to come out with it and tell them. I told her the complications could all be worked through with the right person. I told her not to worry about rejection (I knew Tim would be thrilled.) I also suggested that she could write it in a note and give it to them if it would make her feel more comfortable.

She seemed to like that idea and left the store to compose her note. I couldn't wait to see Tim's face when he worked the next day. He surely wouldn't be able to contain his happiness. What a pal I was!

Wait, something's not right

Later that night, I closed up the store and walked out into the parking lot towards my car. As I got closer, I noticed a little piece of paper tucked under my windshield wipers.

Oh, crap.

"Daniel, I think I'm in love with you. - Jackie"

The chance every boy dreams of

As I stared at the note, confused and shocked, the window of the car next to mine rolled down. "Get in," Jackie said from inside, "just for a second."

I sat down in the passengers seat, still staring at the note. I was extremely uncomfortable and didn't know what to do, but I knew I had to say something.

"Jackie, I...I didn't think this is what you - "

And just like that, we were making out

I didn't even see her move towards me. All I know is that one second I was trying to explain my way out of an awkward situation and the next second there was a 27-year-old woman trying to taste the back of my throat.

As I mentioned before, I had very little experience with romance at this age and I was unbelievably unsettled and nervous about this impromptu encounter. Thus, I'm using the term "making out" very loosely. While Jackie may have been making out with me, I was merely fumbling around like a frightened animal, trying desperately to process what was happening.

I'm not sure how long the unwanted lip-lock went on. It couldn't have been too long because I had terrible sinuses in those days and would have died of suffocation if it had lasted more than 30 seconds.

Jackie leaned back in her seat and sighed. "I'm glad you convinced me to tell you how I felt," she said with satisfaction.

"Jackie, -"

This time she didn't even let my first word escape before she was practically on top of me again.

High-fives! Alright! I got an older chick...right?

Jackie was a good-looking woman. She was smart and funny and had a great smile. She would have had no problem finding a man.

In direct contrast, I was a scrawny 16-year-old kid with nothing to offer and no chance with the ladies. You might think that any young male in my position would be thrilled to have this opportunity - after all, isn't this what we all fantasize about?

You'd think wrong.

I could not have been more terrified about what was happening to me - that's right, I said happening to me. I felt guilty about Tim, who I knew would be mortified. I felt gross about the possibility of having my first real make-out session in an old car under the flickering, greenish glow of a strip-mall parking lot's failing lights. There was no thrill. I hated it.

But I was intimidated and embarrassed and unsure of how I was supposed to respond. I didn't have enough life-experience to know how to deal with something like this, so I just didn't.

Making my escape

Eventually, Jackie backed off and plopped back into her seat. I opened the door and stepped out of her car, closing it behind me. I didn't want to give her the chance to ambush me again.

"I have to go now. This isn't right. I'm only sixteen," I said through the open window. I turned around, got into my car and drove home, leaving her alone in the middle of the empty parking lot.

Post-violation stress disorder

Jackie didn't come around the bookstore much after that. She left another note on my car a few nights later, apologizing if she made me uncomfortable. The few times she did come into the store were polite and civil, but I couldn't help but feel weird about her and always found a reason to excuse myself to the back room. The last I heard of her, she had gotten a job with a television station and was doing very well for herself. This was many years ago.

I hope she's found the companionship she needed - preferably someone her own age. Good luck, Tim.

0 Comments

Designed and maintained by Hibernation9