Chapter 4: At the Masquerade Ball

For the rest of my life, I will never forget that Halloween night. I socialized and danced with several older men. There were the inevitable vampires, a musketeer, a King, a Queen (“Indulge me, please, you’re so pretty and this is for charity”), and Pharaoh Ramses II (shirtless, ooh!). They all treated me respectfully, warmly, and with patience—allowing for my wobbly dancing. Three of them asked for my number to see me again, but I regretfully declined. My excuse was that I was leaving the area and would therefore not be available.

I needed the excuse, because in any future meetings I would be maskless. I felt such a “naked” encounter would be a cruel joke to play on a man who was expecting to see a beautiful young woman. And I would feel horrible pain watching a man that I fancied turn away from me in disgust.

Better that I stay mysterious, for this one night.

Towards the end of the masquerade ball, I was sitting and talking with the Pharaoh, and feeling flirtatious.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I’m going to be a little forward.”

“By all means.”

I placed my palm against his smooth muscular chest. I had been discreetly ogling his six-pack all night.

“Ah, Mighty Ramses, I am glad to have met you. If I can attend this event next year, I will bring my asp and be your Cleopatra for the evening.”

“Delilah, this has already happened. I’ve been watching your truly spectacular asp all evening in that slinky dress you’re wearing. Now that we have talked, I would love to see you again! Can I call you?”

I gave him my “leaving the area” excuse. But he pressed.

“Oh, I’m sorry. It’s not realistic. Sadly, I must decline. I’ve had such a wonderful time tonight, and I’m so glad to have met you. Good night!”

I took his hand into my hands for a parting squeeze, and then flew for the door.

For fuck’s sake, I couldn’t even kiss the guy while masked, with my mouth being covered.

But I was nervous. I knew my exposed neck and upper chest had to be flushed, and my nipples were little acorns under my sleek dress. If I had worn panties instead of a little string, they would be damp. I actually worried I might have visibly wet the back of my dress. In my elegant outfit, at this gala masquerade ball, the only thing more embarrassing would be to stand in a puddle of my own urine.

So, I fled, before my lusty desire for Ramses was publicly revealed. As much as I was thrilled during my time with him, I still knew that he would be repulsed if he saw my deformity. I couldn’t imagine how much that rejection would hurt me. So, after gambling and winning big with my masked “Delilah” persona, I quit while I was ahead.

High school student Nora just couldn’t imagine romance, or sex, while always wearing a mask. In “health” class they don’t tell you about masked orgies.

Back at home, I fiercely hugged Mom and Tara. “This was the greatest night of my entire life. Men kept asking me to dance, some even offered their phone numbers. And you both made it all possible, helping me to make such an impression. Listen, I have to get off my feet and hang up the dress, but I will tell you more tomorrow. ‘Night, Mom, Tara.”

It was days before my excitement began to calm. I kept reliving the night’s experiences. “If only I didn’t have this damnable nevus.” And I depleted the battery in my electric toothbrush, too.