The Sterilized Brit
Height: 5'10
Age: 38
Met: At a pub
Above average looks, a blend of hot, cute and distinguished; super skinny
You know that it is officially summer in New York when you can sit outside with your girlfriends and enjoy a frozen margarita without goosebumps. There is people watching a-plenty at a sidewalk cafe in Midtown on a perfectly cool early summer's evening. After nearly a month with no social contact beyond my family it was great to sit down with one of my best gal pals and chat. When I told her of my new project she laughed and approved because it is going to be an entertaining year for her as well.
After nursing a couple of drinks over the course of several hours we said our good-byes and I began the long walk to my commuter train in stilettos. Maybe it was the new dress or the tiny buzz or the sheer delight felt from hours with a good friend, but the heels weren't bothering me so I strolled through Midtown Manhattan in a wonderful mood.
I decided to stop by my regular watering hole to say hello to my favorite beer slingers who I'd not seen in a month. With no intention of actually staying to have a drink I saddled up between a group of seemingly chatty, gay men and a couple of guys who were clearly tourists. I decide I am not ready to head home yet so I ask Rory if I can have a Smithwick's. After I have a pint in hand and we have been chatting a bit, he has to go, you know, work. As soon as he walks away the man next to me asks "what kind of beer is that you're drinking?"
For some people this is just a simple question. But I love to talk and can talk to anyone about anything for hours on end. Thus begins the next two hours of my night. I was right. They are indeed tourists. Medical tech guys in town from the south for a convention. One is originally from Kansas so we talk Big 12 football while his British friend stares at us blankly. Though he has been in the States for ten years now, he is still not really up on the American football talk. The high point for all of us comes when a guy, Jordan, come up on the other side of me with girlie looking drink in hand and says "I think we have something in common." I politely ask "and what is that?" "We both love the dress you're wearing." Gotta admit. It's a pick-up line I've never heard, but I respectfully decline the invitation to join him. We all get a good laugh.
It is getting close to 1:00 when our friend from Kansas, several beers for the worse, suddenly decides to leave. This leaves me alone with the Brit who, for the most part, had been fairly quiet. We fumble with conversation for fifteen minutes or so when he decides he should probably call it a night, too. Surprisingly though, he wants to see me again before he leaves. Done.
Same place. Next night. I come in to find my molecular physicist with a pint already in front of him. He looks better than the night before. Not like he was trying too hard but presentable. I am such a sucker for a guy in a nice button down shirt with good fitting jeans and he is no exception to the rule. I order a beer and grab the stool to his left. (I am blind in my left eye and sitting on my date's right leaves me with a crooked neck if I ever want to see his face.) It is now that I notice the wedding ring. Maybe I just didn't look the night before because I wasn't interested in him in a romantic sense or he wasn't wearing it but sure enough...
Nonetheless we delve into conversation. Work is always the first thing covered in a conversation. This will always bother me. We discuss medical sterilization, his arena which I know nothing about so am fascinated. I actually enjoying hearing about new things that most people find boring. He mentions his children, the "only reason [he] is willing to work as hard as [he does]" so he can provide for them. I ask how long he and his wife have been married. He doesn't hesitate to answer.
It is clear that this man is very much in love with his wife and has no intention to cheat on her, or even try. He did simply want the conversation! This is both shocking and reassuring at the same time. I have seen many a married man out on the prowl, looking for a night or two away from, what he sees as, the constraints of his marriage. These are the guys who scare me away from marriage. Why commit my life to another if he is going to pounce on anything in heels that bats an eyelash his way?
So me and the Sterilized Brit sit and talk for a few hours on a broad range of subjects. From family and heritage, to sports and movies, to science and religion. Never once was there a dull moment. Had it been a romantic date it would be borderline perfect. He finally offered to walk me to my train. He thanked me for being so hospitable and asked to keep in touch. As we hugged and parted ways he said "you remind me a lot of my Ann. I know good things are coming your way." And that was that.
I find it rather ironic that the first date in my Quest for Romantic Enlightenment ends up being with someone else's husband. But perhaps it is an appropriate reminder that there are wonderful men out there who know the priceless value of friendship and commitment.
Bonus Features:
*caring father
*welcomes a thoughtful woman's opinions
*British accent
*nicely presented
*stunning blue eyes
As-Is Defaults:
*married
*not close with any of his family of origin
*I could probably beat him at arm wrestling
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