We grew as close as ever over the following months. Not as close as I'd like, there wasn't a prayer of repeating the magical night in the Sheesh Mahal. She laughed off my innuendoes. As February ground into March, I was reminded daily how platonic our relationship was. I would have been better off with ice cubes instead of testicles, at least my eyes wouldn't be making love with Shannie every time she bent over. At least she wasn't bumping uglies with anyone else, I consoled myself.
A few weeks later, Linda and I were standing outside the rehab. She kept me company while I waited for Shannie, my ever-dependable ride. Linda is a sweet person, but dull and tedious - even for someone in my condition. She railed about not having a second date since college. "I don't have problems meeting guys. They don't want to go out after a first date."
I shrugged.
"Guys are pigs. They expect to get something on the first date. When I don't give it to them, I don't get asked out again. Hell, they're lucky to get a good night kiss."
"Not even a cheap feel?" I asked.
"I'm not that kind of girl," Linda snapped.
"Maybe that's the problem," I counseled. Good advice from someone who was never on a real date. If priests can be marriage counselors, I was within bounds.
"There has to be a real gentleman out there somewhere."
She had a point, we are pigs. I've banged two chicks, got one knocked up, but I've never been on a date. Steve Lucas probably gets more than me. My old man, since coming east was working on number two. I'm a bigger loser than Steve Lucas. I'm a bigger loser than Linda. Christ, she's not even a loser, she turns down getting laid. I'd take any piece that came my way. When I realized Shannie got more pussy than me, real self-loathing set in.
The GTI's purr sliced through Linda's prattle and my mental masturbation. "Are you getting some of that?" Shannie teased as I shut the passenger door.
"Very funny," I retorted.
"Ugh oh. Did someone shoot you down?"
"Shut up Shannie!"
"Be that way. I just got the best news in the world, you're not bringing me down."
"The miserable half-breed called and wants to kiss and make up."
"Fuck you!" Shannie punched my arm. "Take that back you prick!"
"Don't start." I resisted rubbing my arm. For her size, Shannie brought the heat. She didn't punch like a girl.