Thirsty

 My car door opens to a sobbing Sharon. She had just seen her attorney regarding a malpractice lawsuit.

How horrific to rehash the death of a partner. Brutal.

Then the conversation changes to her reawaking experience with her handyman.

"am I a whore?" 

She goes on for what seemed an unbearable mind numbing eternity of naughty flirting. Who hasn't done this from time to time.

"No Sharon, you are not a whore, whores get paid."

And besides she has not even kissed the man. Not even laid laid a hand on him. Her thoughts and desires do not make her a whore.

"Sharon, you are a slut. You want to give it away free. Not that there is anything wrong with with that."

No one at our age wants to enter a long term relationship, what ever that might be. The rules are very different. 

"Not that I am an expert on any of this...." 

I continue to assure her that relationships have evoled even with the younger generation. Now that we have reached this age we have the privilege and maturity to define our space and needs as we please. We are not dependent on the construct of society to fit in. There is no job or social circle that hems in.

She misses the intimacy of a 40 year relationship. That doesn't get pushed quickly. Even if your goal is a one night stand. 

I think most people fear the connection, the power that a physical, intellectual  relationship with out the structure.

Friends with benefits.