Cupid Missed ~ Thank God

My life has been blessed. I have a good life. I have a beautiful home. I have a good job. I have basically everything I would ever want. Except for one thing. A mate.

My entire life I've looked, for one thing, a woman who would cook, clean, give me children. One who would accept me with all my faults and support me in all my endeavours. Unfortunately, every woman I've tried to get into a relationship with… well, the relationship failed, and failed miserably.

There was always some reason why I just couldn't make things work. At first, I thought it was all their fault. They wouldn't acquiesce to my decisions of how things should work or how things should be done. Even when they did, there would always be something else that would cause problems in a relationship.

A good friend of mine told me I was being too picky. That the standards I was setting for myself and any eventual mate were not reasonable nor were they realistic. When we argued about it, as friends are won't to do, I could never see what it was that I was doing wrong. Finally, one day, I told him that I was going to give up. I couldn't find the right woman and I was resigned to live my life alone.

Later that night, I received a phone call from him telling me that he'd set me up on what he called the perfect date. Hesitantly, I agreed. When he told me her name I wrote it down along with the place he told me I would meet her. Her name was MaryAnne.

The date came for our meeting and I was actually quite excited about going. I showered, put on some cologne, and dressed in one of my favourite shirts, a nice pair of cargo pants, a pair of comfortable dressy deck shoes, and my lucky Fedora. I called my friend to let him know I was about to leave and gave him an idea of what I was wearing so he could let MaryAnne know.

The restaurant we were to meet at was one of the more upscale establishments that catered to the 'Under 40' crowd. I arrived a little early and went into the bar that had been set up as the place we'd meet.

I sat in the middle of the bar and ordered myself a drink. As I was sitting there, a young man in his mid-twenties came in. He looked around the room for a moment as if he were looking for someone then came over and sat on the stool next to mine.

Nothing was said for a few moments until he asked me, "What are you drinking?"

Slightly taken aback that this person who I had no idea who he was asking me something so casually, I decided to not make anything of it. I told him I was drinking a Fuzzy Navel. As he smiled, I noticed that he was quite a fetching young man.

This surprised me in that I had never considered any male 'fetching.' But, being honest with myself, that wasn't quite true. In my younger days I actually thought I might be… different. But I eventually convinced myself that it was nothing more than boyish musings and focused myself on finding the right woman to settle down with.

We talked, the young man and I for a few moments and I found myself really enjoying the banter he and I were having. We ordered another round of drinks (he'd ordered the same drink as I had) and were continuing our conversation when a woman stepped up to the bar and asked me the time.

I looked at my watch and told her it was 7:30. She said she was supposed to meet a man that had been set up for her as a blind date. I asked her what her name was and she said, Mary Ann. Instantly, I figured she was who I was supposed to meet.

"What time were you supposed to meet him?" I asked casually.

"Well, he was supposed to be here at 7:00 but it seems as if he stood me up." She replied.

"Do you know the man's name?"

"Well, I was told his name was James."

"Well, I may have some good news. My name is James and I was supposed to meet my date at 7:00."

"Really?" She seemed to look surprised. When she continued she said, "Please don't take this the wrong way, but, you're a bit younger than the man I was told I was meeting. You look to be in your mid-30s and the man I was to meet is supposed to be in his mid-50s. I don't think you're the man I was supposed to meet. I'm sorry."

With that, she turned and walked away.

I was a little upset. I am certain I was the person she was supposed to meet and for some reason, she decided to back out. I turned to the young man sitting next to me. I had been truly enjoying our conversation.

We talked a bit longer when I told him I was going to eat since it seems my date didn't want to join me. I asked him if he was supposed to be meeting someone.

"Actually, I am. I am truly enjoying our conversation though, and if you don't mind, I'd love to sit with you and join you for dinner."

At first, I thought this a bit odd, but, as I stated, I've enjoyed our talk so I agreed.

Our meal was superb and the company this lad gave me was even better. We talked as if we'd known each other for a very long time and I found myself staring at him several times during the meal. When the meal was finished, he insisted on picking up the check.

The waiter came by with our bill and he laid his credit card on top. The waiter was standing behind me so he asked me if I wouldn't mind handing it to him. Of course, I agreed. In the process of taking the card from him, I accidentally dropped it.

I bent down to get the card and picked it up. In doing so, I noticed the name on the card. It read 'Marion Phillips' and all-at-once it hit me. I handed the card to the waiter who left to process it. I turned to the young man and asked, "What was the name of the woman you were supposed to meet?"

He looked at me with a sad expression as he replied, "Honestly? I hope what I tell you will not upset you but I wasn't here to meet a woman."

This certainly piqued my interest. I commented, "I would never have thought that you were gay."

"Well, I'm not in any way flamboyant."

"So, if I may be so bold, what was the name of the man you were supposed to meet?"

"Well, my friend Thomas' roommate arranged it."

I thought a moment. Jeffrey, my friend shares an apartment with another man named Thomas. I quickly dismissed this knowing that Jeffrey knew I was looking for a woman, but it kept niggling at me so I repeated my initial question, "Ok, so did Thomas tell you the name of the person his roommate set you up with?"

Marion blushed as he said, "I was supposed to meet you. Your full name is James Patterson, right?"

I was floored and I hoped I hid my surprise effectively. This young man was someone I felt I could become friends with and I didn't want to potentially damage that possibility. "Yes, my name is James Patterson. I must admit, I have enjoyed spending the evening with you."

"So, do you think you'd like to do this again?"

I thought for a moment and decided. "Why not, I think I would."

He signed the credit card slip and left a healthy tip. As we were walking out of the restaurant we agreed to meet the following evening. Before we parted ways, he gave me a hug.

I was initially reluctant, but I must admit, it felt good to me. More so, it felt right.

We parted ways and I headed for my home. When I arrived I called Jeffrey.

"So, how did you like meeting Marion?" He asked.

"Well, he's a nice young man, I must admit. I was somewhat shocked when I found out he was the one you arranged for me to meet. You must know that I have never dated men."

"Jimmy, how long have we known each other?"

"Well, it must be fifteen years now. But what does that have to do with it?"

"Did you know that I'm gay and that Thomas is my partner, not merely my roommate?"

I was quite surprised by that pronouncement. I have been to their home on numerous occasions and never once got the idea that they were more than just friends. "Honestly? It never crossed my mind."

"Does knowing change how you feel about me?"

"Not in the least. I consider you one of my closest friends and the fact that you're gay has no bearing on that."

"In that case, you won't mind me giving you my observations. Over the time we've known each other you've been going through the motions of trying to find a woman who would meet your standards, but none ever fit. Could it be that you weren't looking in the right place? In other words, for the right gender?"

"Honestly, I don't know. I have to admit I felt very comfortable with Marion. He was intelligent, and seemed to be sincerely interested in what I had to say."

"So, what do you plan to do next?"

"Well, he asked if I wanted to meet him again and I agreed. I must say though that you may have opened my eyes on this. I think this might be something I need to discuss with him."

"I'll be here if you need to talk about anything, but, just see how things go."

Jeffrey gave me a lot to ponder. After ending the call I sat down and looked deeply into my own feelings. I had done everything in my life to conform to what I felt was expected of me and basically ignored signs in my own life that might have pointed me in another direction.

I reviewed all of the women I'd dated and each one of them did nothing for me; sure I thought I could love them, but on a certain level they just never felt right. I looked at the card that Marion had given me, picked up the phone and called him.

We talked for a few minutes before I let him know the actual reason for my call. I told him what had happened with my telephone call to Jeffrey and asked if he felt like coming to my home so we could talk more. After getting his agreement, I gave him my address and ended the call.

 

Six Months Later

Today is the day. 6 months ago, I would never have considered that this might happen. Marion and I have been dating regularly and I must admit I have developed strong feelings for him. We agreed that we would take our relationship slowly to allow me to ease into the fact that I was truly gay.

About a month ago, I had my first experiences with gay sex. He was so caring of how I was feeling and trying to make sure I didn't feel uncomfortable or pressured in any way. That evening our relationship became something even more wonderful. The strong feelings I had developed over the previous five months flourished.

Over the past month, we have been regularly sexual and I cannot say that I have at any time felt wrong. Last week, I asked Marion if he would consider moving in with me and he agreed. I am so very thankful that Jeffrey took the chance to introduce the two of us.

Marion will be here in about 30 minutes so I sat in the lounge going over my life to the point when I met him. There were several times where I felt that Cupid was shooting his arrow for me to allow my feelings for whichever woman I was with to blossom. He missed… Thank God.

=end=

---

Comments, complaints, kudos gladly accepted at True Fan