Choosing Her Lover

*****

Erin is, as I expected, in pieces. I know that she had high hopes for Rob.

“I don’t get it.” she cries, wringing her hands. “What do I have to do? I offer them everything. I tell them my life story. I make it clear that I won’t see anyone else….”

“I think you try to get too close, too soon,” I say. “Lots of guys don’t like it if you’re all over them straight away.”

“Oh, don’t talk rubbish,” says Ben. “When you meet someone, you know right away when they’re good for you.”

Keep your mouth shut. This isn’t the time.

“Cheer up,” says Ben, holding her hand. “I’ve got a friend who’s just broken up with his girlfriend. We could all go out together if you like, the four of us. I’ll introduce you.”

And just like that, her tears dry up.

“Really?” she says. “Thanks. You seem really nice. I’d love to meet your friend.”

“That’s settled, then,” says Ben. “How about tomorrow night? Is that okay by you, Kirstie?”

Jeez, I don’t want to do this….

“That would be lovely. Thanks, Kirstie,” says Erin, before I have a chance to open my mouth. “Do you want to pick us both up from Kirstie’s place, Ben?”

“I’ll do that. About eight?”

*****

The evening is as grim as I anticipate. Dearly as I love my sister, I have trouble with her infatuations and her conviction that Prince Charming is about to ride over the hill on his charger.

….. Dreams of White Horses….?

Ben’s friend, Larry, seems very much to be cut from the same cloth as Ben himself; straightforward, not bad looking, a nice guy…. vanilla. He’s very talkative though, and his main topic of conversation is himself. And as I listen to the drift of his views and opinions on life, politics, gay rights, the place of women….

thorough-going puritan

And he’s Ben’s friend….

more accurately at, Erin, with a constant stream of noise about his work, his family, where he grew up, what he likes,

wonder his girlfriend broke up with him. She must have been

drifting instead to Ryan and the dazzling sex

His mouth over my

What do

earth with

listening? Your mind on other things, maybe….” His hand settles on my thigh, with a clear implication. I’d like to move it away. The last thing I want is to get back into bed with Ben. But right now, with other people around us,

*****

first, leaving me alone with him. As he pulls up at my place, he leans in to kiss me. I give him a quick peck, but before he can speak, “If you don’t mind, Ben, I need an early night. I’ve got a lot

large. “Oh…. I hoped…. It was pretty mind-blowing last

Yeah… Right….

night.” I peck him on the cheek again and get out of the car, not looking back as I unlock my door and step

*****

day, working at my desk, I wait for the inevitable…. It’s late in the afternoon, but

arrives, in the shape of Ben,

happy about last

Play it cool….

you alright?

I’m not fucking

voice. “You don’t have to speak to

I didn’t mean to take it out on you. Yes, something’s bothering me and

It’s not me

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s Mike….”

“Oh….?”

a few months ago, and he dotes

“Charlotte? What’s the problem?”

“She’s screwing around.”