The Priest’s Gaze

MEMOIR

While on an official trip, I found myself unexpectedly caught in the gaze of a priest, causing me immense embarrassment.

Being a new global traveler, I was still learning the ropes of appropriate travel wear for international flights. Before every journey, I made sure to dress in professional clothing while receiving a briefing about the trip from Mr. Hertzberg, my supervisor at our office in Rosslyn, Virginia.

I would also collect my official passport, complete with a visa stamp, from the bureau's office secretary. She routinely handled the task of taking my passport to various foreign embassies in Washington to obtain the necessary visa stamps.

During this briefing, I was wearing an elegant Ann Taylor skirt suit, the skirt with a modest slit on the side, a white bow blouse, cream-colored pantyhose, and a pair of Nine West black pointed‑toe pumps, adding a touch of elegance to my look.

Following the meeting, I hailed a taxicab to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and embarked on a flight to LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York. Once in New York, I met with my contact, completed our assigned tasks, and then proceeded to board the Finnair plane for an overnight journey to Helsinki.

After finding my seat in the business‑class section, I got settled and readied myself for take‑off. Eager to relax, I slipped off my Nine West pumps and switched them for a snug pair of socks. I then pulled out my captivating cozy murder mystery novel, Snagged by Carol Higgins‑Clark.

It was at this moment that I observed a priest sitting across from me in the opposite aisle. He was dressed in a flowing clergy robe, a striking gold crucifix dangling from his necklace, and a crisp white clerical collar completing his vestments. I have to confess, the priest was quite attractive!

Realizing I had forgotten to retrieve another book from my large tote bag, I got up from my seat to take it out of the overhead bin. However, to my horror, as I sat back down, my skirt with the modest slit slid up, revealing my thigh!

In a panic, I glanced over at the priest, only to find his eyes fixated on my exposed flesh! I couldn't help but think, "Oh, dear, I hope I haven't sparked any impure thoughts in the priest's mind."

Reacting impulsively, I jumped up from my seat, oblivious to the fact that the fasten your seat belt sign was illuminated and the plane was preparing to take off.

A flight attendant hurriedly approached me, urging me to sit down and secure my seat belt. In my haste, I requested a blanket, which she promptly provided, allowing me to conceal my compromised flesh from the priest's gaze.

Overwhelmed with shame and guilt for inadvertently enticing the priest during our flight to Finland, I eagerly awaited the moment when I could disembark from the airplane.

Following that regrettable incident, I made a conscious decision to carry a backpack containing a pair of comfortable jeans, a relaxed shirt, and sneakers to change into after my trip briefings for long flights abroad.

From then on, my professional wardrobe was solely reserved for those trip briefings and debriefings with my supervisor!