Grace Under Pressure

I was taught to treat a woman with the proper respect on a date.  When a gentleman opens the car door for a woman, he cracks it slightly at first to give her a moment to ready herself.  She smooths out her skirt then places her clutch in her lap or holds it up near her chest.  She will then turn her head and her knees will rise slightly when she is prepared.  The gentleman then opens the door further placing himself beside the car shielding her from onlookers.  Her knees shift toward the door opening followed by both ankles together until her feet are firmly on the ground.  She will raise her hand for him to gently assist then make eye contact as she rises.  This is his reward for being where she needs him.  When she has steadied herself to walk, she will break the enticing stare, turn her neck toward him and allow a short bask in her scent.  He follows closing the door.  A gentleman does not give to the temptation of kissing her during her exit.  The kiss is during her return when the process is reversed and only if he has met her expectation.  It starts with one short medium firm lips only then a pause with upper lip touching hers allowing her to signal the lead.  On a first date, she will most likely finish there unless the evening has gone extremely well.  Only then will she allow a second pass then retreat down to her car seat.  If she knows him well, a magical moment of a soft longing kiss will happen, signaled by her hand to his neck.  This is the moment life is made for.  It happens in a split second, and an eternity at the same time.  You can see outside yourself at the moment it happens, and it is wonderful.  I was eighteen.  Grace was thirty-six.  A breathtaking woman if there ever was one.  I have no idea why she agreed to go out with me.  Maybe it was the excitement of a younger man.  Maybe it was to save other women from the tragedy that an unschooled man can be.  It was nothing crude.  She was a lady.  She taught me to be a gentleman and I am forever grateful.  Every once in a while, I will return to that Summer in my thoughts and feel her presence.  One of life's great moments.  It lives with me forever.  Chivalry is for both a man and a woman to enjoy that eternal dance of intimacy.  It brings them closer together until eventually they are one.