This is how rumors get started. Here's the story:
Not long ago we were back at her alma mater for the big team reunion thing. I'm chilling with some of the other husbands at pre-meet reception and I'm having a great conversation with this guy that is in the same line of work. I ask him which one is his wife and he tells me that he's here as a guest of one of the current gymnast. I'm thinking he's her dad. Nope.
When Mrs. Finger swings back by I introduce them and tell her that he was here with one of the women she was just talking to. She's flashing that magnetic amazing smile of hers, but after all these years I know the eyes.
So, when we're alone walking over to the venue, I know what's coming. She tells me she thinks it is odd and creepy that a guy that age is with a college-aged girl. I remind her that I'm a bit older than her and met her when she was still in college. She concedes it, but it wasn't like I was 20 plus years older.
It was at this point, I should have taken the knee. Instead, I went for style points by waxing philosophical on the nature of male/female relationships. Perhaps the fact that I am, in fact, a middle-aged man who at that moment was in an area literally swarming with athletic, flexible, college-aged girls contributed to ire and acrimony of the following moments. Generally as a married man I'm prohibited from dating in general. It was pressed upon me specifically that dating a college-aged girl would be frowned upon. Thirties me would have doubled down and asked, "what if you died?" Forties me looked into those blazing eyes and and thought of how truly incredible the "show him I'm the best" sex was going to be if I played my cards right.