Gorgeous! It was the very first time I'd ever seen a woman wearing white opera gloves. In other words, a lady.
As this couple slowly walked in, sauntering as though to catch everyone's attention, the gentleman in question caught my eye with an expression on his handsome face that was unmistakable. His hairline moved back an inch, as when a predatory animal spots his prey and paralyzes it with "that look." It was obviously lust at first sight, and I remember thinking Whooo, this guy don't waste no time!
All of this happened in the wink of an eye while his white-gloved companion in the beautiful dress was busy trading hellos with friends. To me, though, their procession was taking place in slow motion as they reached their destination at the opposite end of the room. They were gorgeous.
For the rest of the evening, I played a private little game that I called "eyesies." Every time I looked this man's way, I would catch him sending me smoldering signals. They were so obvious and so shameless that I actually started to laugh. Whenever I caught him staring at me, I would point my finger at him as if to say, Caught ya! He didn't even blink.
I'm surprised that no one else noticed our game, but they were too busy looking at this beautiful couple. I was also stunned that a man with such a perfect woman at his side could be even remotely interested in the likes of me.
At one point, I asked Ann to take a look to see if she could identify him. "Oh, honey, who the hell knows?" she said. "They all look the same to me: rich!"
I want to add that, had I sent the most subtle I'm interested! What next? visual message, I have no doubt that this man would have sent someone over to my table to escort me upstairs. No doubt whatsoever!
Imagine my shock, then, weeks later, when the redheaded man who had flirted so boldly with me reappeared on the cover of Life magazine and I discovered who he was; the young senator from Massachusetts, John F. Kennedy.
Rita Moreno " Rita Moreno" (2012)
