ENDING THE YEAR… Odds & ends (Part 167l)
My intended purpose
was to have Woody process some banking transactions and I made sure I
let her know that was the reason for me being there. I apologized for
interrupting her proof and explained that some Board members would do
that from time to time. She took the materials but still wouldn’t really
look at me. I remember being a bit peeved that she was acting this way.
After she processed a couple of them and handed the receipts to me I
finally spoke up and asked what her problem was. She looked up at me and
I knew immediately she hadn't been expecting that. I took advantage of her
surprise and, for lack of a better description, ‘attacked’ her when I
asked if her attitude change towards me had anything to do with the
panties. I knew it was but I wanted her to admit it. But, she didn’t say
anything so I continued by saying that I just plain didn’t understand
females and how they viewed certain articles of clothing. By then I was
starting to get ‘wound up’. I don’t remember exactly how I worded it but
it had to do with why having a man see a woman’s underwear was so wrong
when the same woman sees nothing wrong when wearing a two piece bathing
suit made up of basically a bra and panties and is out in public while wearing them. I didn’t
stop there because I distinctly remember saying something about how
underwear got saddled with the title of ‘unmentionables’ and that didn’t
help the situation. There was more but that was basically it. Woody
still hadn’t said anything when we both heard Lorie call to see what was
taking so long. That was when she turned and finished up the Board
members transactions and I headed back to the Board room.
It was
on my way back downstairs that I had some second thoughts about my mini
diatribe. I’d used it on a couple of other occasions so it wasn’t a
topic buried in the recesses of my mind. What concerned me was how she’d
process what I’d said and what she’d do after hearing it. From a ‘right or wrong’
perspective I didn’t feel I’d done anything wrong ‘hanging my hat’ on
the fact that she’d been the one who instituted the subject of panties.
By the time I got to my desk I realized I’d been a little ‘rough’ on
Woody and became concerned how she’d react. However, still ‘worked up’ I thought
of Lynda, over at the stock brokerage office. I was positive that she’d
been teasing me with with panty peeks and got the idea to go over after
work and see if she was receptive to a conversation. I wasn’t sure just
how I’d lead into it but called anyway. From the sound of her voice she
seemed pleased that I’d called and that I had actually called to speak to her.
Normal quitting time at their office was 5pm but there were two trainees
who were there studying for whatever the test is that certifies you to be a
legitimate stock broker and she’d be there until 5:30pm. That gave me
some time to come up with some sort of segue to the topic I wanted to
discuss. Before leaving the bank I made an attempt to apologize to Woody
and although she seemed a bit ‘cold’ to it wasn’t visibly upset… a
definite plus.
Lynda seemed genuinely pleased to see me as she
asked why I hadn’t been around much. I don’t remember the answer but
changed the subject to her and how she was doing as the last time I’d
seen her she was upset about her Army reserve husband and his
deployment. She was at her desk and I was standing at the low rail that
separated the aisle and the work area. When she pushed away she did the
same motion I’d seen her do a few times before. Using her right leg to
propel the chair to the left made the space between her knees grow to
at least a few feet. And… she had her eyes on mine as she did it. After
getting to the rail I saw her display what would best be described as a
‘wicked’ smile, lips closed and a twinkle in her eye. I immediately
knew I had my ‘opening’ but the question was did I have the nerve to
pursue it.
I’m sure I took a deep breath or two before I spoke.
It was a question… “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?" All I got back
for and answer was a real smile. There was some casual banter between us
before she challenged me… “You liked it… I can tell…”. I know I was
blushing which was probably worth more than words as an answer. I think
that was when I looked around to see how ‘involved’ the two men at the
back table were and then asked if I could ask her opinion on something
that was bothering me. I’m sure she wasn’t expecting that because I
could see the formation of a frown on her forehead. I wanted to defuse
the seriousness of the topic quickly so told her I needed to get a
woman’s perspective on a pretty minor subject but one that had been on
my mind a long time. (I’d discussed it with Elle on a couple of
occasions but never got very far with it.). I remember her telling me to
go into Stan’s area (her boss and my broker) and to take a seat. I
actually liked it better when standing and not just because of the
potential for a view of her panties, but did it anyway.
I’ve tried to remember
exactly how I worded my question when I started and I can’t. I know I
‘beat around the bush’ a bit but I do remember finally asking why some
women take such offense when a man sees her underwear. I also remember
her quickly leaning forward in her chair and almost choking and trying
to stifle a laugh. I’m not sure what her exact words were but they were
along the lines of “You’re asking me?” and with a huge smile on her
face. I know I wasn’t smiling because I’d asked the question with all
seriousness in mind so I had to ‘back up’ a bit to give her some
background with how the question originated. While I was attempting to
do it she leaned forward in her chair again with a look that told me
she’d finally realized I was serious. Then she apologized for laughing
and not taking it seriously. I didn’t know where to go with the subject
at that point and didn’t say anything. I’m glad I didn’t.
Still
with a bit of a smile she stated that she wasn’t one of those women… and
added that she hoped I hadn’t included her in that category. That made
me smile and I might’ve even laughed. Then she added she hoped I wasn’t
offended by any of her “slips” and I definitely laughed at that. For
some reason she felt compelled to explain her reasons for doing it. In a
way I was surprised and yet, in looking back she had exhibited signs of
a ‘controlling’ personality. She told me it was a way for her to show
that she could elicit a non verbal response from a male if she chose to
and added that she’d done it a number of times with me. Again, I don’t know why
but in hearing her I felt embarrassed. It was a few seconds before I
recovered enough to try and get back to the basic premise of why so many
woman have no problem parading about, in public, in a bathing suit and then
make such a fuss when, by accident, some part of her underwear shows.
Seeing I was serious she hesitated before answering that it probably had
to do with history and it’s puritanical views. She hardly had those
words out of her mouth before I asked why she hadn’t bought into that
line of thinking. That brought forth a guttural laugh from her before
she said her mother had been very liberal in her upbringing. Even though
it was close to 5:30pm I wanted to hear more.
To be continued…
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