The Gentleman…a rarity

Oy vey! It’s July already…how she flies! Time.

I’ve been thinking about the gentleman I met up with a couple of weeks back. I’m still harping about his gentlemanliness so many days after our meeting because I’ve lived a little and met far too few gentlemen. Especially of Kenyan descent.

I had convened the meeting and, as such, was fully expecting to pick up the tab. I was running a little late from work, having had to pick up some last minute slack. He got to the cafe before me and sent a text to let me know where he was seated. Nice touch, I thought. Once I got there and located him on the terrace we went inside to place our orders. I asked him what he’d like and he said, “I’ve got this,” indicating that he’d be picking up the tab. He caught me by surprise, but pleasantly so. He opened doors for me–I who find myself constantly opening doors for others.

We were back on the terrace, sipping our drinks in the dripping heat (all inside seats were taken), making conversation. I asked some hard questions; he didn’t shy away from them. He looked me in the eye and answered honestly; wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable. Now that’s someone I can respect! The sun sped across the sky and, all too soon, we had to wrap up our time together.

His vehicle was a stone’s throw away, in plain sight; mine was out of sight, round the corner. I assumed, again, we’d just say goodbye right there, he’d hop into his vehicle and drive away while I wended my way towards mine. “I’ll walk you to your car,” he quipped. You could have knocked me over with a feather!

All this he did, the non-romantic nature of our relationship notwithstanding.

I feel so privileged to know a true gentleman, of Kenyan descent, no less. What a rarity!