Last week, my mother gave me a New Year gift from a guy I haven’t seen in a million years. She ran into his mother at the flower market, discovered he had graduated from business school, and was now working for a hedge fund (ooh, bad timing). Evidently, his mother gave him a similar update on me whereupon he purchased the gift and voilà, a game of pass the parcel commenced.

The gift was passed from his mom to my mom and eventually, ended up on my dressing table, where it currently sits wrapped amongst a dozen perfume bottles. A subject of reluctant curiosity, the gift is unexpected and unwarranted, given that the last time I saw him, spandex and big hair were the height of fashion.

Having attended kindergarten and elementary school together, we lost contact (not that we had ever been close) after I left for boarding school in New Hampshire. Honestly, I was a little freaked by the gift, although one of my girlfriends squealed (literally) at how romantic it was. She believes he could be my Prince Charming and has taken to comparing my love life to fluffy happily-ever-after movies. Yikes.

Along with the gift, I also received his digits, but what would I say to him? Not to mention, part of me dreads the possibility of him asking me on a date, especially since I haven’t opened the present, let alone decided whether to accept it!

Needless to say, I haven’t called him. In the meantime, I’m determined to treat the gift like a rattlesnake. As long as I stay away from it, I won’t get bitten. My mom thinks I’m hilarious, while my girlfriend is exasperated at my unwillingness to elope with a virtual stranger.

On the flip side, I must admit that I am just the teensiest bit curious as to how he turned out. My mom let it slip that he’s over six foot in height. Remember my penchant for tall men? Hmm…Maybe I should unwrap the gift after all.

Image courtesy of Mysza831