Anyone that knows me knows that I am notorious for purging. I often go
through my closets and house hold items to find things that I do not want or
need any longer then post them online to sell. My rule is – if it hasn’t been
used or worn in a year it must go.
Very recently I posted two very sexy pairs of shoes on Craigslist to
unload, you know, the killer “You can’t tell me shit heels (unfortunately my
narrow-ass feet won’t let me be great). I was overjoyed when I received an
inquiry not long after I posted as sometimes it can take quite a while to attract
interest in your merchandise.
General rules of web e-commerce: discretion and impartiality. Never do
I try to pry into a customer’s personal affairs. I play by the following rules:
·
Respond to the inquiry, confirming the sale.
·
Agree on a public place to meet.
·
Exchange contact info in preparation for the
exchange.
·
Regarding this particular transaction I did take note that the email
address seemed to indicate that I was communicating with a man. No biggie, in
the past, I had a gentleman pick up a pair of shoes from me for his sister, or
so he claimed.
As me and this gentleman, for the purposes of this story let’s call him
John, made arrangements to meet our correspondence took an interesting
turn. John asked me if I minded that he would
be purchasing the shoes for himself. He disclosed
that he like to cross-dress and recognized that some people were uncomfortable
with that.
I admit, I was caught a bit off guard. I mean let’s be honest, there’s
nothing nurturing about me, I don’t know this guy. It took a sec but after
pulling my world together, I reassured John that I was fine with our
transaction and proceeded to confirm the location of the sale. This is when
things got really interesting.
Apparently my reassurance to John that there was a lack of prejudice
here put him at ease. For the next several
days he began pouring his heart out to me, I became his email therapist, web
counselor, online life coach. John shared
pieces of his journey with me, his likes, his dislikes, his insecurities. He inquired
about makeup, shoes and clothes, even asked if I had any additional items to
show him that he may be able to add to his wardrobe.
Over the next few days our communications became consistent, corresponding
through email several times a day. I suspected that our upcoming meeting was
making John a bit nervous which made me equally anxious.
Our rendezvous occurred in a Starbucks parking lot. I felt like I was
walking into an emotional war zone and I wasn’t even close to being
prepared. My anxiety grew as I waited (I
always feel as though I may be meeting with a serial killer) but much to my surprise
John was not the young 20 something man that I had imagined. He was, in fact, in
his late 40’s/early 50’s and when approaching me had the air of a confident,
testosterone filled man.
We stood in the parking lot as we chatted a bit as he “browsed”
through the merchandise that I brought. We
made the exchange but before we said our goodbyes as he asked me to keep in
touch. Feeling a bit more comfortable after formally meeting, as well as being
curious, I obliged.
As John pulled off, I turned to get in my car and locked
eyes with a woman that had been ogling the entire transaction. As she began to
giggle and tried to bait me into a conversation, I gave her my legendary death
stare to silence whatever ignorance that she planned to share.
We kept in touch for several days. He contacted me and thanked
me incessantly for the new additions to his closet. John disclosed that he uses
silicone breasts to fill out his clothing and asked if I wanted to help him learn
how to do makeup (I most definitely not be of any help here).
Unfortunately I had to let him go. Although I am very
curious about his journey, John did ask if I wanted to see him dressed as a
woman. I want to, I truly do, however I do recall John telling me that he only
cross-dresses in the comfort of his own home.
I had to pass, this has all the makings of an ID TV or First 48 special,
after all, we did meet on Craigslist.
So ended our whirlwind friendship. I can only pray that our
brief encounter brought John some encouragement and confidence to live in his
truth.
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