Story Of The Week – The Big Reveal

Story Of The Week

The Big Reveal

by S. Mallory

We were having lunch, and I was again pinching myself in excitement over my good luck.  I was sitting across the table from one of the most eligible bachelors in my city.  He was a television producer, who was tall, handsome, and fascinating.  

He was the kind of man who got out of the car to come around to open the door for you, and who would rub your back affectionately when sitting next to you.  He knew how to treat a woman and it was evident that he found me attractive and “interesting.”

He had been pursuing me for months, and I had allowed the rumors of his reputation as a player, to keep me at bay.   I met him at a conference for media professionals, and he had singled me out of a crowd of beautiful women, who all happened to be staring at him.  This was our third date, and I was thrilled to be in his company.  We were sitting in one of the finer restaurants, and I was feeling very special, because of the way he doted on me.

Therefore, when he pulled out a big red box from under his chair and handed it to me, I was excited, but I was shocked when he pulled out a beautiful dress and asked me to go to the ladies’ room to put it on because he didn’t like women in pants.  (I had on a pantsuit)   I was too stunned to speak or move.  While I was trying to digest his words, he went on to tell me that if I wanted to keep company with him, I would have to step up my game in the dress department, because he had an image to manage. 

As I sat stunned in shocked silence, he remarked that I had on wedged heels and that he preferred a woman in spiked heels.  He also mentioned that white was his favorite color, and he expected me to wear it whenever we went out together in public.

When he began to comment unfavorably about my “windblown” hair, (which was in a ponytail) I held up my hand to stop him.  I rose slowly without saying a word, gathered my purse and the box, and went to the ladies’ room.

When I closed the door, I burst into tears.  I was overcome with grief because it seemed that I’d had the hardest time meeting a true man of substance.  I couldn’t believe what had just happened.  I was hoping I had finally found Mr. Right, and he turned out to be a nut case.   As I was wiping the tears away, there was a knock at the door.  It was him wanting to know if I was alright.  I assured him I was and that I would be out shortly.  Before he left the door, he reminded me softly to be sure to put on the dress. 

When I came out of the ladies’ room, I took the box and placed it on the table where he sat with a puzzled look on his face.  I leaned over and spoke these words softly in his ear before I walked out the door.  “The dress doesn’t fit me and neither do you! Have a nice life!”