The Old Man in the Club Read Free

“So, it’s my turn to return that good deed.”
    Tamara looked him up and down. He reminded her of a teacher she had a crush on when she was in high school. She pulled a business card out of her purse. “Well, thank you very much,” she said, handing over her card.
    â€œI’m sure you’re on a date, so I’ll leave you,” Elliott said. “But Iwill call you or shoot you an e-mail to see if you have paid it forward… Enjoy your drink.”
    They smiled at each other and Elliott walked toward the theaters, right past Tamara’s date as he made his way back from the bathroom. He turned around and saw that Tamara was looking back at him as she hugged the man.
    That meeting led to an exchange of e-mails, a lunch date that Tamara did not consider a date a week later, and drinks at F&B restaurant a few days later that had the feel of a date.
    By the time they arrived at Vanquish, Elliott and Tamara had seen each other seven times. Before they met that night for her birthday celebration, he made it clear his intentions, telling her, “This is a date. I like you and I have grown attracted to you. So please don’t take it like I’m coming out just to support my friend. I’m trying to romance you, no matter our age difference.”
    He had to put it out there. Elliott did not want there to be any misconceptions.
    â€œYou don’t think I’m too young for you?” she said.
    â€œToo young to do what?” he replied.
    â€œHang out; there have to be women your age interested in you,” Tamara said.
    â€œSure there are, but their interest isn’t my interest. Is my age too much for you to handle?” he asked.
    â€œI don’t know. I guess that depends on your energy level.”
    â€œExcuse me?” Elliott responded.
    She laughed. “Wait, that didn’t sound right.”
    â€œYeah, well, you don’t have to worry about my energy level in any capacity,” Elliott said.
    She paused for a few seconds. “Okay, then. If you can handle it, I can handle it. And I’m talking about the age difference.”
    For Elliott, that meant he could help her celebrate her birthday in grand fashion. The bottle service at the Vanquish Lounge was $350 per bottle, and by 10:30, they were deep into their second bottle. And while the money did not mean anything to him, it would mean everything to Tamara on this night.
    â€œThank you, Elliott,” she said over the loud music. “This is so much fun. And I can’t wait to find out about this trip. I’m not saying I’m going on it, but I am excited to know where you picked out.”
    â€œYou’re going,” he said so confidently that it almost came off as a boast. “And you know why? Because by the time you get your passport, you’ll know me better and you’ll want to go.”
    â€œYou’re pretty sure of yourself, huh?” All the drinking started to have an effect; she was looser, in mind and body. She slid to her right until her body pressed up against Elliott’s. “I may be young, but I ain’t crazy or silly. Don’t think you’re going to take advantage of me because you have more experience than me.”
    â€œWhy would I want to take advantage of you?” he said. “That’s not fun. Whatever we do I’d like it to be mutually agreed upon. Now that would be fun.”
    Tamara had not heard a man speak to her in such a fashion, and it intrigued her. Men her age were fun, but the next guy seemed like the last guy; there was no discerning them. Elliott moved her because he was different. And to get her an application for a passport as a gift…who does that? And how could she not view it as charming?
    She had a unique quality for someone so young: she didn’t lie to herself. She understood her strengths, admitted her weaknesses and embraced criticism, even if it came off as “hating.” So, as the