Lifestyles of the poor and nameless

So yesterday I was talking about Michael--- the guy who hit on me despite the fact that he comes across as a gay male. I had concluded that Michael was gay and looking for a friend to hang out with but, since I gave my word, I decided to call him.

I called him that night and he wasn't around. When he called me back, he told me that he just got in from rehearsal (I was thinking some kind of Cabaret, but he said it was gospel choir--- my bad). So then he says "wow, I'm so glad that you called. You keep your word. I really like that." I'm pretty quiet up to this point. Just taking it all in. Then he says "well, Roseann, I just want you to know that I'm interested in getting to know you. I don't know if you have a boyfriend or anything, but from the little bit of time we've spoken, I can tell that you're a good person to know. So...if you have any time, maybe I can take you out for dinner or lunch, coffe.....something." At this point, my mind is racing because I have never been too good at flat out rejection (unless the person is disrespectful). Michael was very polite...he just seems very gay. So how to say "no" without saying "no, I think you're gay."? He already knew I was single. Hmmm.

I shifted gears and asked him how old he was. "37" he said. Jackpot! 37 is lightyears out of my dating range. I told him that I was 24 and 37 was a bit too old for me. He was unphased. "Would it be better if I was 24?" he asked. I said "actually...yeah it would have been." He replied "well...I can be 24 if you want me to be." I asked him why he was still single and he said he just hadn't met the right one. 37, no kids, no girlfriend or wife....but very strong gay vibe. Well, not my problem. I politely declined. He tried to get me to commit to coming to see or calling him, but I remained non-committal as I raced off the phone.

I recounted the events to a friend of mine and we got into a discussion about whether my rejection was about money: "would you really talk to a security guard?". For some reason, I tend to attract military/law enforcement/security personnel. I have no clue why. Sure I'd talk to a security guard....if he's in the 23-30 age range and doing it as a way to make money while he does something else. But at 37, the guy needed to be an account manager or an officer in the bank or SOMETHING. Go on. Say it. You think I'm "bougie". Fine....I'll be that.