Flirting 2.0

The hardest thing for a writer to do (well, at least this writer...) is to revise something they've previously written, especially if it means cutting WORDS!  My friend John suggested I submit one of my blog posts to an Essay Contest.  But here's the rub, the submission had to be 500 words.  I took my nearly 700 word recent post on "Flirting" and cut it to the bone and frankly, I think I improved it.  Just goes to show the old adage "Edit, Edit, Edit" is true.  So, humor me as I reprint the revised and slimmed down version of my recent post. (And, wish be luck in the Essay contest!)

Is Flirting a Thing of the Past?

Someone flirted with me today.  Frankly that doesn’t happen much anymore.  My reaction was dumb.  I said “Excuse me?” and when he repeated the compliment, I giggled.  The man was near my age (50ish) and had the roguish good looks of a life-long flirt.  Twenty five years ago I would have pegged him as “a bad boy”.  I was always drawn to bad boys.  I tried to redeem myself with a stab at intelligent conversation before I escaped.  Oddly, that little exchange made me nostalgic for the days when I was in the game, “out there” or to be blunt -- just younger and better looking.

The very first time someone flirted with me I was about 13 and in line at McDonald’s.  Obviously it made a huge impression given how I can recall it now, some 46 years later.  I had on an outfit purchased with my baby sitting money and was with a friend, not my parents.  “One small fries and a coke.” I said.  The young man behind the counter responded, not sure what he said I politely repeated my order.  He smiled and suddenly I realized he heard me-- he just wants me to notice him.  I was keenly aware that in spite of being 13 (albeit tall for my age), this boy wanted me to notice him.  I left McDonald’s a new woman.  This was a 16 year old boy, not some 7^th grader poking me in the back or my Dentist patting me on the head.  

Thus began the slow, delicious dance of romance; the give and take of mutual attraction; the heady feeling of first love usually followed by the crushing blow of heartache.  You’d think by now I’d be well out of this flirting thing.  I’ve had my fair share of crushes, a few first loves, one or two serious flings and a couple of husbands.  But, just short of 60, I’m back to square one.  Over the years I grew accustomed to men’s attentions (although I didn’t always welcome them.); but in my mid-50s I began to notice something -- I was becoming invisible.  Mostly I was invisible to younger people and to men of all ages.  

The decline of flirting was a relief at first.  Throwing on a raincoat over my pajamas for a quick run to 7-Eleven became a possibility, accomplished with nary a glance from the guys in the next car or the old coot buying cigarettes. They didn’t see me – but that’s okay, I didn’t want to be seen.  But for pity’s sake, I’m not dead!  I rarely go out without my hair in place and a little lipstick.  Today’s tiny little exchange made me feel good.  Okay, maybe this guy gives everyone a little ego boost, maybe he always says something to women – young or old.  I really don’t care, because for a moment I was back in line at McDonald’s and it was all ahead of me.