The meaning of a long sentence，please.
context：
Eli was the one who helped me realize, after hours of conversation, that a major part of my unfortunate attraction to young men lies in the fact that everything is still open before them, still shiny and fresh, even if they don’t end up pursuing any of their options – the power lying in the very promise is overwhelming. With Eli, for instance, just looking at him I can tell exactly how his life (or our shared life) would look in twenty years, down to the returns on our taxes, which obviously he’d fill out himself, because on top of his many virtues,
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The “I” is close 40 years old，had a relationship with a young man who is 26 years old. And then they break up., the young man abandon "I".
so what is the meaning of "that a major part of my unfortunate attraction to young men lies in the fact that everything is still open before them, still shiny and fresh, even if they don’t end up pursuing any of their options – the power lying in the very promise is overwhelming." Please, looking forward to your help.

Question

The meaning of a long sentence，please.
context：
Eli was the one who helped me realize, after hours of conversation, that a major part of my unfortunate attraction to young men lies in the fact that everything is still open before them, still shiny and fresh, even if they don’t end up pursuing any of their options – the power lying in the very promise is overwhelming. With Eli, for instance, just looking at him I can tell exactly how his life (or our shared life) would look in twenty years, down to the returns on our taxes, which obviously he’d fill out himself, because on top of his many virtues, 
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The “I” is close 40 years old，had a relationship with a young man who is 26 years old. And then they break  up., the young man  abandon "I".  
so  what is  the meaning of  "that a major part of my unfortunate attraction to young men lies in the fact that everything is still open before them, still shiny and fresh, even if they don’t end up pursuing any of their options – the power lying in the very promise is overwhelming."   Please, looking forward to your help.

Answer

Thank you Chris, I see.

Answer

She is attracted to the fact that young men have a lot of options -- they can pursue different things in life. They have "promise." But with Eli she could see how everything would happen -- even the tax returns. A bit boring for her, no?

Answers · 2

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