subject.
“Again…you can adopt. Keep trying.” She sighs heavily, clearly losing her patience.
“Woman, I have a criminal record from a few years back. So, I don’t qualify for adoption.” I try to maintain a grave face. I fail.
“Why did I have to raise such a smart ass for a son? Fine. I won’t bring it up again until our next visit. I love you. You know that, right? You’re my world and I don’t want to see you end up a lonely, old man with women who are only with you for your money.” She says with concern deep in her delicate features.
“Mom, that won’t happen. They’ll be with me for my devilishly, handsome good looks. If I have to endure meaningless sex with beautiful girls for the rest of my life, it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.” I try to remain tactful, but this conversation is a broken record. The least I can do is pull the woman’s chain for a bit.
“You expect me to socialize and meet new people. At my age, it’s extremely uncomfortable for me. I can handle networking for your company or financial negotiations, but other than that, I’m completely out of my element. But, I’m willing to give it a try to prevent you from worrying so much about me. All I ask in return is that you make the same effort and try to meet a nice girl who wants to build a family with you in the future. I want to see you happy. I’m not asking for much.” She maintains eye contact with me and I can see her holding back tears.
“Okay.” I lie.
I would promise my mother anything just to see her happy, but she’s already asked enough of me. I haven’t forgotten.
My tiny fib is enough to pacify her and drop the issue for the moment. We end our visit on a positive note and I remind her I’ll be checking to see if she’s going out and being active like she assured me.
The next day goes by at a snail’s pace. I’m anxious to see Nina later tonight. Due to issues at work, I realize I have to stay over and miss seeing her.
I’m pissed. Damn it! Why the hell am I so eager to see this girl? Calm down, cowboy. You just met her.
I end up leaving work fairly late; tonight’s baseball game has already ended. Nick, the project manager who stayed over invites me to a game of pool and some drinks. After the day I had today, I’m game. When we arrive at the bar, the first thing that catches my attention is the grungy feel the place has along with the walls covered with pictures of dogs. I could care less about the décor; I feel tense and need to relax. Immediately, I order some beers and head to the back for a few quick games. As Nick and I are preparing to begin our first round, two brunettes approach us. They appear to be in their early twenties. They’re both pretty, wearing tight jeans, low cut shirts, and have predatory looks on their faces. They ask to join our game. I have no problem with it since I’d rather be in the company of women than a man’s. One of the girls admits to never playing before and requests that I teach her before we officially begin. She positions half her body over the pool table as I come from behind to demonstrate the proper way of holding a cue stick before a shot. Deliberately and in slow motion, she backs up and grinds my crotch with her ass.
Right at that moment, I hear, “Hey, Josh.” The sound of my name distracts me from my teaching lesson.
I look up and see Nina and Kade standing right across from the pool table. Kade has a smirk on his face and Nina looks irritated. My heart sinks. The situation between this girl and I just looks wrong. It’s not the type of impression I want to make on Nina.
“See ya, Josh.” They both say in unison and walk away.
I excuse myself from the girl and hurry to catch up with Nina and Kade. I apologize for not being able to make it earlier to watch the game with them. I also explain that I recently got off work and just met the girl. They both tell me I have nothing to apologize for or explain. They say goodbye, but before
Marina Dyachenko, Sergey Dyachenko