Her long silky hair flowed in the air as she walked to the back of the teller line. Her high heels went ‘click, click, click’ on the marble floor and echoed throughout the quiet lobby. All eyes were on her and so were Ken’s. It was Valentine’s Day and the bank had long stemmed red roses in tall plastic bins, ready to be handed out to customers who came into the Lincoln Road Branch in South Beach.
Without hesitation, Ken grabbed the prettiest rose and walked over the Sandra, flashed his charming smile as he handed the rose to her and wished her a happy Valentine’s Day. Sandra blushed and wished him the same. Ken’s heart was throbbing as he walked back to his office, it was love at first sight.
It did not take much effort for Ken to locate Sandra’s customer profile. To his surprise, she was eight years older than him but that was quite alright, he could care less; but as he scrolled down, he felt angry to discover that she was married. Wasn’t she wearing a wedding ring? Or was he too overwhelmed by her presence and did not pay attention to details?
For years, Ken admired Sandra every time she walked into the branch. For years, he fantasized about her and was mesmerized by her aura, enchanted by her ‘light’ and her sense of humor; everything about Sandra was just perfect. It was so unfair, she was the most beautiful woman he has ever seen and he had to constantly remind himself over and again that she was married, and that was not alright.
Sandra always wore the prettiest smile and was so vibrant that people would stop and stare. It was the Holidays and the busiest time of the year, Ken was promoted to branch manager and was busily running his year end reports. His focus was drawn into the screens and bar charts but for some unknown reason, he looked up and saw Sandra standing by his door. She needed his help and he dropped everything to be there for her.
She needed a new account and as they were doing the paperwork, he noticed she checked the marital status as ‘divorced’. He could not believe his eyes, it was almost impossible to refrain himself from smiling or showing his excitement, yet he felt sad when he saw her near tears. If only he could hold her close to him and let him comfort her, it would have made that day the happiest of his life.
For the first time in years that they have known each other, they finally shared a real conversation and Ken took the opportunity to ask Sandra out for a casual coffee in Starbucks so they can talk some more. He was ecstatic when she said yes and they exchanged cell phone numbers. Sandra always knew Ken liked her, it was that obvious and the admiration was easy to detect. She also knew that she was older than Ken but for a friendly coffee during difficult times, why not? She needed a friend.
Shortly after the divorce she dated Ken for a few times. He was the youngest yet biggest gentleman that she had ever met. It would have worked out beautifully had it not been their age difference. He was everything that she wanted in a man and she was everything that he had dreamed of, but the age difference was a huge hurdle and she was unable to leap over; even if they were to become the greatest love of all, she was not allowing it to happen.
But that was then.
Sandra’s perspectives have changed drastically over the years and because she looked a lot younger than her age, she has been attracting younger men and ironically, has been in a relationship with someone younger than Ken.
In the back of her mind, she always wondered what would have happened if she gave Ken a chance. She was once frightened to ‘step out of the box’ and be named a cougar, but was now immune to society’s intolerance for the extraordinary. This time, she was not giving up her happiness and love just because she was afraid.
To be honest, she should be proud of herself for overcoming the boundaries of love. Meanwhile, society should consider refraining from careless criticism, as many great loves (and things) could be destroyed by intolerance.
Not only do people need love, the world needs love as well. Miami, let us begin from here.
Belinda Elkaim,
Miami Dating Angst Examiner.
www.belindapassion.blogspot.com
www.lovestoriesbybelinda.blogspot.com
** Based on true story where names have been substituted for privacy. Opinions are not to be conceived as clinical advice.
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