A chance encounter... making a new friend.

[CJ]

Hi all,

Something happened this morning that put a decidedly jolly spin on my day. As I left home and started walking toward the subway station, I noticed there was a very, uh, scantily- (or, is that "sexily-"?)clad young woman walking about a hundred paces ahead of me at a brisk pace. She wore "wedge" high-heeled sandals, a denim skirt for which the term "mini" was invented, and what looked to be a fairly sheer, "blousy" top. At first, I only saw her from the back but, even then, I could tell she was a "looker"; she had a luxurious mane of auburn hair that bounced with her every step and she certainly "walked the walk"... self-assured and used to turning heads.

As we neared the subway station, I saw that she looked back at me a couple of times. True to my habit, I picked up the pace a little so that I'd soon be walking ahead of her. I figured she was probably a little uncomfortable having a man following her like that. (I had no idea she was heading to the subway as well.) As I came, er, um, abreast of her, she turned to look at me; our eyes met and she smiled. I smiled back. She must've been, oh, all of 23 or 24 years old. As it happened, we got to the subway pretty much together. While we were going down the stairs, she said, "Can you believe how how it is, already?" Yeah, I told her, I could believe it.

Long story short: within the ten or so minutes it took the train to pull in, she and I were chatting about our dreams and hopes for the future, about what we want out of life, about my job and her school, as if we we'd been friends for years. It was totally strange, in a way; I sort of started forgetting about her appearance (she was extremely pretty, by the way, with eyes fit to make a heart melt). But it got even stranger. As we sat there, on the train, next to each other, almost but not quite knee-to-knee, she started talking about a friend who, in her opinion, was weird enough to possibly be a schizophrenic. When I (gently) pressed for details, she said, "Well, you know, she just sorta looks weird; she dresses weird; she doesn't know how to put on makeup properly." To which I replied that this didn't mean that her friend was schizophrenic; she was just expressing her individuality, her uniqueness... which happened to be different from that of my travelling companion's. "Anyway," I added, "why don't you just sit her down and show her how to put makeup on? I mean, even I could do that!" (And, no, I have absolutely no idea where that one came from, I swear! I just blurted it out!) This, of course, piqued her curiosity and I told her that, yes, I dabble in both makeup as well as in the very kind of clothes she was wearing (which suited her well, I also admitted). She was totally intrigued by the whole thing. In the ten or fifteen minutes we spent together on the subway, talk turned to fashion, looks, femininity, individuality, and attempted definitions of "sexiness."

While we'd been waiting for the train, she'd almost told me what her true career aim was (presently, she's studying as an oral hygienist--no jokes please) but refrained for fear that I would think it's stupid. As I was getting ready to leave, I extended my hand and introduced myself, telling her that it had been a pleasure to meet her. "Likewise," she said as she took my hand. Her name is Marilyne. Just before I got off the train, I told her that I was hoping our paths would cross again (and she hoped so, too) and that, maybe, next time, she'd tell me what her true dreams and hopes are. I wished her luck and success in her studies and left before the doors closed. She waved goodbye. In a whoosh, she was gone.

You know, folks, even if I never see this person again, I feel something good happened today. Marilyne met a man who was able to chat with her as an equal, without drooling all over the place despite her striking appearance and her youthful exhuberance, and I met yet another person who wasn't intimidated by the fact that I'm a gender-variant soul (admittedly, it didn't show much today that this is, indeed, who and what I am but, still, she was curious and receptive, not offended or weirded out).

Be who you are. Others will feel more comfortable being who they are. It's actually no more complicated than that. It really isn't.

I'm off to my father's for a few days. I hope you all have a great weekend and I'll catch you some time next week.

Love,
CJ

[Jeannie]

Great story CJ. You made my day. I could see how people would like you. You're such a nice person. Gotta run. My daughter Katie called and I have to bring an air conditioner to her apartment tonight in West Hartford. She is having a birthday party for her boyfriend Kevin who is great. Tonight all the kids are going out at 10 so I will be alone for once! Sweet! Hope you had a nice holiday Hon. Hugs


Love
Jeannie

PS. If you ever are in Connecticut give me a call. I'd love to meet you. You could stay here and meet all the monkeys! They drive me crazy! You better like Hip Hop CJ or don't come near this place! That's all they listen to! I go down to the shop at night and run presses for peace and quiet! One good thing is you can dress anyway you want here. My kids and everyone else who comes here know what to expect. If they have a problem with it they don't come. Simple! It's a very gender friendly home and I'm so lucky in that respect. There is only one thing to worry about. If my wife Mini and her girlfriends show up and we are all glammed up they will beat us up and throw us off the 3rd floor deck! Hey CJ. It's not that bad if you land on the shrubs! Trust me!:lol:

[Gaven McLaren]

That was a great story. It is rather inspiring that there are people in the world that will still just start talking to people on the road that they do not know. For some reason in California it confuses people when you are nice and talk to them out of the blue. I hope you do run in to her again.

[Darth_Wolfenbarg]

That was a great story. It is rather inspiring that there are people in the world that will still just start talking to people on the road that they do not know. For some reason in California it confuses people when you are nice and talk to them out of the blue. I hope you do run in to her again.

Hmm... they seem friendly to me. The only problem is that they act like I'm a foreigner because I dress differently (like I'm from Colorado, not like a girl)

[Virginia]

CJ,
Isn't the world a special place? All we have to do is interact with those around us and sometimes miracles happen!!! It is the old saying about if you don't try it you will never know!
You touched each others lives if only for a brief time and that in itself is special. I hope, if it is your desire, that you two meet again and with more time to share.
Love,
Virginia

[Stephanie W]

CJ

Thanks for sharing that heartwarming story and your eloquent recital of same. I hope you get to meet her again and share some more with us. As you said, being yourself shouldn't be complicated and the rewards can be priceless.

Stephanie


P.S. Jeannie - Couldn't quite picture CJ falling from your deck into those shrubs but thanks for the "picture" and the smile though.

[Jeannie]

You're invited also. My kids and their friends are driving me nuts. If you're ever in Connecticut call me. There is a great restaurant down the street from me that is run by two gay men that have been partners for the last 20 years. They also own the hair salon and spa next door! Robert's lesbian sister does all the cooking and it's great Italian Food! You can dress as you like. It's very gender friendly! Hugs.

Love
Jeannie

[Loy B(SO)]

Wow what a dreamy story.I hope you and her get to meet again.You just enver know what each day will bring