Her Rich Mature Lover

In a matter of seconds they were kissing and she was pretty sure things would have escalated if his ride hadn’t turned up before he could even think of turning his chauffeur away. His personal assistant stepped out of the vehicle. He had an important engagement he couldn’t miss and only had a few minutes to freshen up and head out on time. His calendar was looking full for the weekend but he promised he would do his best to squeeze her in. She didn’t relish the idea of constantly looking at her phone waiting for him to call. It would feel like how she felt as a little girl always expecting her mother to walk through the door at any minute.

Even as a child she couldn’t grasp the concept of death no matter how hard her grandmother tried to explain it to her. Why don’t you wake up mommy Grandma, she looks like she is only sleeping? She cried when they lowered the casket six feet under into the freshly dug earth. It was only then the finality of her mother’s death sank in. She wondered if her dad was among the sea of strange faces that claimed to know her mom. If he was he never made himself known to her. She remember telling her grandmother that she wished it was her unknown father and not her mother in the grave. She never met her father so she would never shed a tear for him, her mother was another story.

She loved her mother dearly and treasured every memory she had of her. As she grew older the memories were not as solid as they were when she was young. She couldn’t help but worry that she would someday, somehow forget what her mother smelled or looked like. Those kind of thoughts about her mother did not sit well with her. Her psychiatrist believed that she harbored resentment against her dad for not being there and she had passed those feelings on to every man she’d dated as if punishing them for the sins of her father. She thought long and hard about it and decided then and there to forgive her father. So that she would no longer live her life in his shadow which was easier said than done.

Now that Alexis was home she confronted her about giving out her personal details to others without her permission. Alexis said she was sorry but she was so flippant about it that Trina didn’t feel her apology was genuine. She felt like if Alexis had to do it over she would do it again in a heartbeat. She believed that even though Alexis was misguided she meant her well. She could never stay angry at Alexis for long she had a way of cozying up to you and making you laugh even when you wanted to despise her and treat her like a mean girl. It was a wonder they considered each other friends when both of their outlooks on life was completely different.

Her therapist felt that she and Alexis had a lot to learn from each other. She didn’t see that happening anytime soon. She found the way Alexis treated men offensive as far as she was concerned Alexis only dated all her past boyfriends for their connections and money. When their usefulness ended she moved on to the next willing donor. Despite her reputation there was no shortage of men lining up to be used by Alexis. Trina drew the line whenever Alexis tried to pawn her off to her latest beau’s friends. Trina felt like it was only a matter of time before her wild lifestyle caught up with her. Trina wasn’t about that fast lifestyle. Her goal was to find an ideal man settle down with him have their babies and live happily ever after.

Except this was real life. When her therapist asked her what her ideal man was she was at a loss for words. She knew who he was but she couldn’t describe him. She felt like she would just meet him one day and just know that he was her one true love. He would somehow feel the same and return her feelings. That was her idea of the ideal man whether or not her theory had substance that was the question. She wondered briefly if Damon would turn out to be the clingy type. She valued her independence and couldn’t stomach the thought of a man watching her every move. She took after her Grandmother in thinking that she was better off alone, men weren’t worth the trouble that always accompanied them. So even though she didn’t believe or share Alexis’ view about men. She couldn’t help but find it amusing to entertain her theories. Which was how they found themselves having the following conversation.

“That’s the whole point of dating those snooty rich men, to get exposure for my art, you of all people should know that you can’t move up in such a society without connections.”

“I just don’t think sleeping around with potential sponsors is a good idea and it doesn’t qualify you to be so judgmental. Alexis, just because you are doing it doesn’t make it right and I definitely wasn’t brought up that way. It’s all well and good for a client to find you “useful.” Hurting yourself in the process by being used doesn’t make you look or feel good. There’s a huge difference.”

“Good grief, Trina all I’m saying is to give the man a chance. Don’t rule him out because of age, get to know him better. It’s your choice whether you want to sleep with him or not but at least you wouldn’t have to work like a dog to pay off all that debt you incurred. When you have a man that’s invested in you and willing and able to assist, life is much easier. Trust me on that. Don’t rule it out that’s all I’m saying.

“I’ve never used a man for his money and I’m not about to start now or ever. I don’t care if you think I’m living in a dream world. Do you, as for me, that’s just not my style.”

“Unfortunately, he likes you and not me. If it was all up to me I would be riding that money train all the way to the bank.”

“Yes, well, that’s enough on the subject of Damon Arlington. I don’t want to discuss him anymore,” Trina said.

“Whatever. Take my foolish advice for once and give the man a try. I also wanted you to know that I’m planning to have a party here to celebrate my birthday.”