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Subject: {ASSM} Halloween 2010:  The Costume (MF, nosex)
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Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2010 17:10:06 -0400
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Yes, it could be longer.

Someday. Perhaps. For now, it was a much needed diversion from a longer work.
---

The Costume
---

The three of us were sitting in the food court and watching the ghosts,
goblins, skeletons and other creatures parade past us on their annual venture
into the real world.

Finally, I sighed, and turned to the older of my two companions.

"I'm sorry. There's no right way to say this, that will soften the blow."

"My online profile said I wanted honesty in the man I would accept into our
lives. I know the consequences of that honesty."

"That, you do. It's just one of the things that makes us good for each other,
yet so wrong."

She nodded, then reached to touch my hand and lift it to her cheek.

"Mom! In public?!"

'Mom' and I both laughed gently, and I did the little gesture that told her I
knew the young woman beside her was her daughter, and her responsibility, not
mine.

"Yes, Dear, in public. Young people aren't the only ones who can be in love
enough they want the world to know."

She let go of my hand and sighed. "Unfortunately, when you're older, and
honest, you know when to accept that the love you feel isn't shared by the
other person, especially when he's a man who wears his life on his face."

I stroked her face, then pulled my hand away. "If the two of you will settle
for like, I'll be your friend."

She sighed and looked down. "Let me think it over, before I make that
decision. There are others, but... I'll be comparing them to you, now."

"Thank you for that much."

"You're welcome. Do we get to know?"

I temporized. "Are you sure you want that much honesty from a man who can't
love you the way you wish? Wouldn't it be better to keep guessing, and
thinking 'perhaps, someday'?"

"You tempt me, Satan, but no. Leave me with the memory that even if we never
meet again, I had a brief interlude with that rarest of all things, an honest
man."

"I see."

I stood and gathered the remains of our meal, put it all in the nearest trash
can, then came back and held out my hand. "Come with me? This is not the
right place for sharing this particular truth."

"Oh? Where, then?"

"The nearest clothing store will do."

"An odd choice."

"An appropriate one."

They flanked me, and we strolled and made idle conversation about the people,
stores and decorations.

After passing several stores that were suitable, she gestured with her free
hand. "Will that one do?"

"It will be fine."

We went in and I led them to one of the full length mirrors.

"Stand beside each other, and see how beautiful the two of you are, and see
how much you resemble your daughter."

"I resemble my daughter? An unusual way to express it."

"You are an unusual woman."

"Thank you. And now, the truth between us?"

"Of course. Earlier, you said that what attracted you to me, was the way my
profile picture proved that I was willing to wear my life in full view."

"Yes."

She turned and stroked one of my cheeks, then used a finger to trace around
one of my eyes. "The scars, the laugh lines. Even the way your eyes are
sunken slightly, yet your brows are not furrowed, except when you are
thinking deeply. You're a very mature and experienced man, and it shows."

"Thank you."

I turned her back to face the mirror, then stood behind them and put a hand
on each of their waists to move them together so the three of us could see
each other.

"I said you resemble your daughter, and therein lies the problem. Your face
is unlined, your eyes surrounded by the smooth flesh of youth, instead of the
looser flesh that a woman earns by living her life."

I lifted one hand to gesture at a group of costumed kids who were giggling
while they stared at the sexy clothing on display, while they dreamed their
dreams of someday being old enough to wear it.

"I'm sorry. I could never love a woman who sees her flesh as a costume, and
removes the evidence of the person she is. Yes, you are honest, more honest
than most women I've met."

I sighed and touched her neck lightly. before I met the eyes of her
reflection. "But you've chosen to hide that honesty behind the lie of a face
that reveals none of who you really are. You've chosen the illusion of youth,
over the pride of a woman who earned every scar, every laugh line, that life
gave her."

She shivered. "Oh."

Her head turned and she met her daughter's eyes. "Let that be a lesson to
you. Your perfect man will be someone you lose before you meet, if you allow
vanity to make your decisions for you, as I did."

She turned the rest of the way and lightly kissed me on the lips "I'm sorry.
You offered friendship. Give me some time, and I will accept it."

"Mom? After the way he just hurt you?!"

"Another lesson for you, my daughter. Never let the good ones *ever* escape
completely. Sometimes you'll need a male friend, and not a lover, or a
husband, because you will come to value the kind of honesty he gives you."

"That's... Scary."

I felt her relax before she laughed throatily. "Well, it *is* Halloween!"

She took my hand and tugged me towards the door. "It's time for dessert,
before we go our separate ways. I'll pay, since you paid for our dinners."

-- 
Pursuant to the Berne Convention, this work is copyright with all rights
reserved by its author unless explicitly indicated.
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