Love affair

Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw him walk in her general direction. Amid the noise and the heavy metal music, and the general smoky darkness, she could think of nothing to do with herself. Her friend had taken off to the dance floor with her partner for the evening, leaving her to morosely look into her drink and smile(a grimace really), and pretend she was having a good time.

All around her, kids… er… well, youngsters in their late teens or early twenties, seemed to be having a very good time. This was their place, their area of joy, their way of celebrating. A celebrating that seemed youthful and exuberant. Well… she was young too, young at heart at least. With a brave ‘I AM having a good time’ smile, she tossed her drink back and looked around. The world seemed slightly better. She smiled slightly at the young man at the next table. He grinned back in general joviality. She saw a glint in his eyes, a suggestion. And then, there was the barman, smiling at her, see her for what she was. Attractive, svelte, and young yet at heart.

Young men like mature women, she told herself, as her friend and her partner returned to the table. Some animated conversation later, she whispered to her friend, “Come on yaar. What are kids these days coming too??!!! That young man at the next table actually propositioned me!”

Her friend opened her eyes wide and looked at the young man at the next table with a slightly shocked expression. He, in the way of the young in pack mode, grinned back at her, lifting his glass in some kind of a toast. Her friend shook her head slightly, and looked at her partner. It was true he was a few years younger to her, she had not cared to ask how many. Yet, to have a kid as young as this proposition to a forty-something…

The music got better and the couple at the table jigged to the dance floor, holding hands. Left alone again, an empty glass in hand, she stood up, and wriggled through the crowd, closer to the bar counter. If she could, she would snag a bar stool. And begin a love affair. With the smiling barman.