Sunday Stroll

You never know what can happen when you go out for a walk...

Transcript: Oof, James sat down on the warm grass for a moment to rest his feet, being careful to keep his legs together as he did. There were just so many more things to remember when wearing a dress. It was James’ first time out en femme, the day had just been too nice to be spent indoors, and he was glad to have avoided causing a scandal thus far.

He’d chosen to go with a fairly conservative cotton dress, temporarily borrowed from his sister’s closet, but had paired it with a pair of eye-catching bright red heels, which he’d gotten on sale a few weeks ago. They fit well, but James was still unused to walking much distance in them, and mincing about the park had taken its toll. Right now he wished he’d had the sense to pack a pair of flats in the large tote he carried, but he wasn’t about to let a little foot ache spoil his fun.

The wind floated through his dark brown tresses, augmented by extensions, and the sun caressed his back as James took in the scene. There were children playing loudly, couples walking past hand in hand dreamily, and parents socializing cheerfully, as they always kept an eye on their kids, but it was the lone stranger on the park bench not far from him that caught his eye. A young man in his early twenties, he was well dressed, in a fitted, light patterned shirt that paired well with his short dark hair and olive colored skin. He had been reading a thick paperback novel when James had first arrived, but now seemed unable to keep his eyes away from James. James tried not to become unnerved. Okay, so maybe one person had figured him out, but that wasn’t the end of the world, right? At least the stranger had gotten up and gathered his jacket as he prepared to leave. No wait, he was turning, walking back, straight towards James! James fought the urge to turn and flee, though his right hand did find its way into his tote and around a canister of pepper spray.

“Hi, I’m Stephan. I’m sorry if I gave you a fright earlier, but I’m just going to come out and say it: you are the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen and I would love to take you out sometime. Can I have your number?”

James was too flabbergasted to refuse and sheepishly consented.

“Fantastic, I’ll text you later to set up a time. What did you say your name was again?” Stephan asked as he extended a hand.

“Jamie,” James decided after a moment’s hesitation. He could feel his cheeks grow warm as he watched Stephan depart. What a delightful stranger and now Jamie had a date, with a boy! So much for avoiding a scandal…