The Boys of Summer - Part II

Boy # 2 - The Doctor

After a fender bender, work stress, and a recently fizzled fling, meeting “The Doctor” couldn’t have happened at a better time. The bends, curves, and bumps in the road had been brutal and I was in desperate need of some stress free fun! So by a stroke of good fortune, I found out that I had won a happy hour party! Perfect!

After a harsh, snowy winter and a rainy spring, summer had finally arrived. Well, not technically, but based when you can wear a tank top out without a jacket – it’s summer!

Happy hour turned into happy two hours and then three. Friends had been floating in and out for a while when a few of us decided to take a load off. As we sipped on martinis and scoped out the scene, my eyes fell upon a table of about 10 attractive guys. Naturally, my attention was piqued. Aided by more than a few ounces of liquid confidence, I alerted my companions and dared them to dare me to talk to the guys. For a girl like me, who doesn’t shy away from a challenge, this was my chance to make a move. And for the friends who enjoy my antics, this was their chance to be entertained. They raised my “I dare you to dare me” with a “I double dog dare you” and “I triple dare you!”

With a one last gulp of my drink and a deep breath, I rose confidently from my seat and whispered, “I’ll be back!” At the table, there was an empty seat in between two of the guys and I took that as my invitation. I introduced myself as I slid into the seat. I was subsequently introduced to the assortment of gentlemen around the table. My gaze and attention was enticed by the beautiful man to my left who I soon found out was a resident at one of the hospitals. My previous pre-med days opened up our initial conversation and after that, it was as if no one else existed in the room. We talked about a little of everything – my accident, my party, his work, his work, our mutual interest in dancing. And as minutes turned into an hour, I was enthralled. In my head, I checked off boxes on my then list-of-what-I want-in-a-guy and was a smitten kitten.

Before long, Doctor and his crew of friends were en route to another location to which he invited me to join. I still was still in the process of coordinating between my friends that were game to being a part of my saga and the ones who were ready to haul me home because work would come early the next morning. So I pinky promised him I would meet him there and urged him to go ahead with his friends. After much begging and threatening, I managed to finagle my two friends to stay out just a few minutes longer so I could see what would happen.

My wonderful, selfless friends and I arrived at the new location and I quickly spotted Doctor and his group of friends and we picked up exactly where we left off. Before long, more friends departed and I knew I also needed to make my way home. We spent a few more minutes exchanging words and eventually exchanging numbers. With clasped hands, we walked out the door. A light, summer breeze filled the air as we watched for the white lights of an available cab. We made tentative, open ended plans to spend time together soon and I could barely contain my excitement. A cab approached and we hugged goodbye.

After the following exhausting day and relaxing evening, I found myself preparing for bed long before my post midnight bedtime of the night before. Much to my surprise, as I climbed into bed, I picked up my beeping phone to read his just-because-can’t-wait-to-see-you message. And as my head hit the pillow, I dreamed only of a world of possibilities with me and the Doctor.

I wonder...

Allow me creative liberty as I extend and stretch this analogy way beyond its intended means.

So I, like many others, love the Pussycat Dolls. Any ladies that aren’t scared to boldly proclaim their hotness, among other assets, are my kind of people! So of course their popular hit “Buttons” is one of my favorite. However, I have yet to hear or experience first hand any guy saying “what they are going to do to me” without them actually trying. That is not to comment on the success of any of those efforts, but merely setting the stage for what I am about to state.

Instead of physical buttons beckoned to be loosened, can’t we imagine that these are emotional buttons that we are desired to be loosened? If it is possible for someone to disappoint you in their lack of effort and follow through in turning you on physically, it is definitely possible for some to disappoint you in turning you on emotionally. From a woman of the school of thought of “say what you mean and mean what you say,” I think the disappointment develops out a lack of honesty. If you are going to say that you are going to be with me, then that’s what you should mean and that’s what you should do. But as in the lyrics of the song, “I ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”

While on the topic of lack of honesty, I must pick a bone with all the gentlemen (if you are worthy of that title!). If you say what you mean and mean what you say, you would avoid a lot of unnecessary misunderstandings and hurt feelings (if you are interested in not being a …take your choice of expletive). For the record, if your words are only out of obligation or formality, and are not going to match your actions, then don’t bother.

You’ve been saying all the right things all night long, but I can’t seem to get you over here to help take this off…

So I speculate, what’s the problem? Why can’t I get you over here to remove these superficial layers of who I am and find out what’s going on underneath it all? Yes, despite whatever initially lured you over, I do have a mind, and an interesting, creative, brilliant one at that. Does that make you nervous?

'Cause the love you said you had ain't been put on me…

Is it fear that fuels your empty claims and triggers this illogical need to ignore? Do you really have the capacity to engage and stimulate me mentally? Do you really have the strength and desire to support me emotionally? If so, I’m waiting.

I wonder. If I'm just too much for you…

Are you not strong enough for me to tell you what I want? Maybe I am just too much for you.

I wonder.