Page 23 of His Long-Lost Baby
“…real nice woman,” Jen is saying.
I pull myself away from my thoughts, feeling ashamed for getting so distracted.
“I think you’d really like my friend Flo.” Jen picks up a few toys from the patio and tosses them into the toy bin. “She’s single, too.”
“Oh.” I could go on a date with her friend. Sure. Why not?
I went on three dates last week — with three different women. They were all… okay.
Fine. They were boring. The women didn’t do it for me, and I don’t get why. They were all gorgeous and eager to please me.
Maybe too eager. Maybe I’m craving time with someone who isn’t tripping over themselves to lay out a red carpet for me. Someone like…
“No way,” Carlos says. “You’re not setting Flo up with James. She’s too nice. He’ll crush her to pieces.” He looks at me. “Sorry man, but it’s true.”
Usually I appreciate his blunt honesty. Today, though, it’s bothering me.
People have called me even worse things than an asshole before, and I’ve always just shrugged the comments off.
But what if they’re true?
“Remember that girl last year.” Carlos snaps his fingers. “The one with red hair. What was her name?”
I try to focus on Carlos’s question instead of my own insecurities. “Lila?” I suggest.
“That’s the one.” Carlos nods. “What happened to her?”
“She moved away,” Jen says.
“No, I mean, what happened between you two?” Carlos cocks an eyebrow at me. “I thought for sure you two were going to be a thing.”
I know what Carlos means. Lila and I had a connection that was hard to ignore. We laughed at the same jokes and had similar taste in movies. But then, one day, I started feeling like I was being boxed in. Like I couldn’t breathe.
I stopped returning her calls, and that was that.
“I don’t know,” I lie. “It didn’t work out.”
“Too bad,” Jen says. “She was really sweet.”
I push Lila out of my mind and try to focus on the present. “So, about Flo…”
Carlos laughs. “Nice try, buddy. Find your own date.”
I grin, but inside I’m feeling more and more unsure about what I want. Maybe I do need to find my own date. Someone who challenges me instead of pandering to my every whim.
“I’m going to mix up the lemonade,” Jen announces, before heading inside.
The sound of cartoons fills the air. Alexa and Manny are inside now, watching TV. Which leaves Carlos and I alone on the patio.
“So, how’s work?” he asks, taking a sip of his beer.
I take a swig of my own beer before answering. “Work is work. Same old, same old. How’s the T-shirt business?”
“It’s been good, man.” Carlos leans back in his chair, a satisfied smile on his face. “We’re really starting to pick up some steam now the new location is open. And I’ve got a big order coming in next week.”
“That’s great, Carlos. I’m happy for you.” I genuinely am. Carlos has come a long way since our group-home days.
There was a time when the two of us were nothing but troubled teens without families, just trying to get by in the world. It’s good to see him succeeding.