Driving over I could tell Robin was nervous. I would know of course. He is my seventeen year old son.
He hardly spoke during the fifteen minute drive. Normally he would be talking ten to the dozen about this or that or girls as would most seventeen year old boys finding their feet in the world.
We parked and went through a discreet, undistinguished side door
into a large, rather bare and seemingly temporary reception area. A highly polished wood floor. Two tub chairs and a sofa. Red drapes hanging on all four sides. Just a few poster style photos of smiling, attractive girls; each sending out a different message.
The girl that greeted us was very attractive. Young, with slightly oriental features. Tight fitting blue dress with a shiny black belt around a very slim waist. Black stockings.
Her jet black, bobbed hair shined healthily. If she wore make up, it was minimal. Her fresh face exuded a confidence of someone much, much older. With an enigmatic smile on her beautiful face, she reminded me of The Green Lady. A famous print of a stunning oriental girl with coal black hair. That print had hung on millions of walls in the sixties and seventies. A reminder of my childhood.
I could sense her effect on Robin. His interest and nervousness increased.
“Hi” she said, ”are you Robin?”
He nodded but I answered “Yes. I phoned and made the arrangement for him. I’m his dad.”
“Great. I’m Veronica. Welcome Robin. How old are you Robin?”
“Seventeen,”
“OK, you’re seventeen and you haven’t……”
“This is his first time”, I interjected.
Veronica smiled.
Robin cleared his throat and asked nervously. “Will you be…the one that…? “.
“Oh, no.” she said “I am here to greet you and make you comfortable. One of the other girls will be along in a second to err, take you through it all. Don’t worry; you’ll be in great hands. We are all very experienced here. Don’t worry. She will deal with everything”
Soon another girl appeared through an unseen gap in the drapes. She was introduced as Carol. Perhaps a year or two older than Veronica but just as attractive and equally as confident in her manner. She was dressed in a maroon coloured outfit that hugged an enviable figure. Her professional smile showed glistening white teeth. She too wore black stockings.
“Hi Robin. Follow me.” She held her arm out to show Robin the way through the drapes as an air stewardess does when ushering you onto a plane. She smiled at me and said “Won’t be long”. I’m sure she winked as she followed him through.
The drapes muted most sounds but some got through. The occasional laugh. Men and Women’s muffled voices mingled together. At one point a sharp cry made Veronica look at me then smile easily as she slipped through the curtains to investigate. She was soon back but gave no explanation.
A few more visitors had come in. Of all ages. Regulars no doubt as they were greeted mostly by name. After a brief chat they were either led through the drapes by Veronica or another girl came through and took each one.
During a lull in the arrivals Veronica smiled at me. “I’m sure he won’t be long. Can I get you a drink while you wait?”
“No thank you” I answered. I asked “How long have you been doing this, well, job.”
“Oh too many years” she said, “I’m older than I look. Are you sure there’s nothing you want?”
“Err no, no thank you. I just wanted to, well um bring him along to err…..you know the first….” I stuttered, under her gaze. I actually stuttered.
“Its not uncommon to have dads bring their sons along. Or even together. We’ve had mothers bringing sons as soon as they are old enough.”
“Really?” The surprise in my voice made her look quizzical at me. “Oh why not ..I suppose. These days … you know… ”. Yet another stutter.
A while later, the girl Carol came through the curtains. She led Robin by the arm with an almost maternal yet somehow intimate touch as she delivered my son, the man, back to me.
She was smiling up at Robin.
She gave a last, familiar, touch to his elbow as she said “See you again I hope” and she was gone. Disappearing back through the red drapes.
“OK” I asked.
“Yeah, sure, no problem”. He said in an “Aw shucks” type of way
I stood, we said goodbye together and I opened the door for Robin to step through first.
“Goodbye Robin,” we both turned to face the lovely, smiling Veronica.
“Don’t be a stranger now.” she said “Come back as soon as you’re able. We are always in need of blood donors.” 820