STRAWBERRY LETTER Subject: White Mandingo-Keeping it behind closed doors Letter: Dear Shirley and Steve, Ima get right to it. I am a well educated, good looking 40 something year old single Mom. I have a professional career, and come into contact with many men. Only a small percentage are African American though. There is man, a white man, divorced and father to two college aged children who works in the upper echelon of my firm. Several years ago we began seeing each at the gym after work and became friends. Last year I began to sense that this man was developing an affection for me, and I let him know that I have only platonic feelings for him. We continued to work out at the gym after work and become pretty good friends. He began buying expensive gifts for me. Once he bought me a $7,000. dollar desk clock. I promptly returned it and explained to him that It was too expensive, and that it was an inappropriate gift to give to a co-worker. He accepted the clock back, but the gifts continued. He knew that I liked to read, and he began to give me rare books(One of which had been out of circulation for more than 20 years), His gifts demonstrate a deep thoughtfulness on his part. He remembers almost every thing I had ever said to him. He knows how much cream I like in my coffee, which he has delivered to my office each morning. I go down to the garage at work sometimes, and find that my car has been washed and detailed.(Reserved for the Senior Partners at my firm). Dry cleaning picked up and waiting for me in my office, He is kind and generous, easy to talk to, intelligent, independently wealthy, an all around nice guy. When I told him that I was not interested in him in that way, he didnt push things or try to force matters. I felt good about his approach and we became closer friends. Attending Laker games, going to concerts, afternoons on his yacht. Good clean fun. Last month we attended a week long conference in Palm Springs. He was a keynote speaker at one venue, and I was moved by his eloquence, his commitment and total command of his subject. That night was like seeing him for the first time. I never had the opportunity to witness him in his field of expertise. I caught up with later in the hotel restaurant. We had a sumptuous meal and later sat out on the veranda and talked and laughed under the desert sky. In that moment I was deeply attracted to him. I invited him to my hotel room, and we did the do. He turned out to be be a white Mandigo! Had me singing opera! Problem is, my attraction is purely physical. He wants a relationship and I dont. Im content to be friends with perks, but he wont hear of it. Last week we were riding up in the elevator to our offices. When the last person got off, and we were alone, I went to kiss him on the cheek. He stepped back from me and said that he doesnt hide to do anything, and that if I wanted him, I would have want him in public as well as private. Our friendship is different now. He still finds ways to let me know that he is thinking about me, and wants me, but I just dont want him in the same way. I see a sadness in his eyes now that wasnt there before, and it makes me feel bad that I may be the cause of it. How do I fix this?
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 13:31:25 +0000