I was literally reaching for the knob when there was a knock at the door. It was Thursday, my ladies night out at the 'Sixty Ninth Street Pub'. It must be one of my two tenants because it wasn't the outside bell.
What the hell. I'm the landlord of this big old house, close to the downtown, that's now divided into three apartments. They can damn well see me as I am. I open my door.
"Mr. Bohms. How can I help you?"
"Ah, er? Mr. Durham? Um? Mike? I just brought down the uh, rent?" He handed me his cheque.
He never expected to see me in my shoulder length brunette wig, maroon print long sleeve knee length dress, natural nylons and burgundy pointed toe three inch heels.
"Why thank you Thomas. Always prompt with the rent. I like that." With the middle finger of my left hand I stroke my hair back from my ear. Was I flirting with Thomas Bohms? Well this new pair of pendulum earrings are too darling to hide. Right?
"You just caught me. I was on the way out the door when you knocked. Say, I'm going over to the pub for a drink. Why don't you come along and meet some of the locals?"
"Um, thanks. I'd love to, but I've a pile of papers to mark. Maybe another time. But thanks."
Young Thomas rented number two from me. He just started at the high school here this fall, teaching grade nine English (I think). Nice looking young man. Fair complexion, blond hair, brown eyes. Must be ten or fifteen years my junior.
I drop his rent in the drawer of the hall table, pick up my keys and clutch, and snuggle my six foot silver fox stole around my shoulders and head out. I walk. The club is only a couple of blocks away. The 'Sixty Ninth Street Pub' is on the block of Maple between Wellington and Peel. Go figure. It's what the PC folks call and 'alternate lifestyle club'. A gay bar.
Mr. Bohms is soon forgotten as I join the 'girls'.
A few weeks later we arrive home at the same time.
"Hi, Mike. How are you?
Hello Thomas, I'm fine. And yourself?"
"I'm well. I was hoping to run into you. Is that offer still open?"
"Offer? What offer is that?"
"Oh sorry. I meant the offer to join you for a drink some time."
I must be getting slow. "Oh. Why yes, yes. I go over to the pub every Thursday for a couple of drinks. Are you free this Thursday?"
"Sure am."
"Come down and knock on my door when you're ready then."
"Sevenish? See you Thursday."
Is this a date? Or? Well it never hurts to dress your best.
My pink lace bra and panty set with my medium boobs for a start. Charcoal panty hose. Ankle length green plaid wool skirt and pastel green collarless blouse. Silver pendulum stars earrings, and a long silver necklace, and a few silver rings on my fingers. My short blond wig, and soft red lipstick. My dove grey ankle boots with the two inch block heels because the first snowfall of the season has left the sidewalks slushy. My raccoon jacket with the big soft collar will keep the cold at bay.
Knock knock knock.
Oh yum! "My, don't you look pretty tonight?"
"I was just about to say the same." Answered Thomas, who then blushed.
His straight white blond wig draped over the pink fur collar of his red leather bomber jacket. The pink fur repeated on the cuffs and around the waist. Below his jacket was the hem of a smoky blue full skirted knee length dress. On his feet were knee high soft white leather spike heel boots. Two inch hoop earrings flashed in the hall light. Coral lip gloss and subtle eye treatment looked just perfect. Over his shoulder was the thin white strap of a darling little purse.
I slip on my jacket, grab my clutch and lock the door.
"We're off like a herd of turtles. I always walk, it's only a couple of blocks, and with the R.I.D.E. program (Reduce Drunk Drivers Everywhere) in full swing this time of year, why take a chance." Just as we round the corner I say, "My friends at the club call me 'Mimi' by the way."
