The Squeeze

My heart was racing as I pulled up to her house. I knew she had money but this was a mansion. The carefully manicured lawn, split evenly by the white marble walkway, showed just how wealthy my crush was.

                “White marble walkway?” I exclaimed to myself in my car. Who has a white marble walkway? Coming from someone who had to share a room with 3 other siblings such a display of wealth took me off guard.

                “It’s OK, Dan. You didn’t even know she was rich before you got to know her more. She doesn’t flaunt it, her parents do! Would you even care if she did flaunt it? Stop! Damnit Dan, stop talking to yourself! Wait, what’s wrong with talking to yourself? Doesn’t everyone do it?” Closing my eyes I take a deep breath. No need to be so nervous, she already said yes!

                I step out of my truck, red door squeaking as I open and close it. Brushing myself off I start on the marble walkway. The further I walk the more the abode seems to loom above me. The giant glass windows seem to reflect the light right on me: A spotlight.

                I make it to the polished steps of the house and ring the doorbell. The sound that rings out resembles renaissance church bells. How am I going to take this girl on a date if I’m intimidated by her house! A man answers the door. He is a giant; I stand at six foot-one and he is towering above me. He is wearing pleated blue jeans and a polo shirt a few sizes too small. The shirt is stretching across this man’s chest; his pectorals fighting to rip it open. He must be a body builder, this is one of the biggest guys I have ever seen!

                “I’m going to guess you’re Dan! Good to meet you buddy! I’m Ralph, Katy’s uncle. She’s real excited to go out with you today, you seem to have made a great impression.” Ralph’s smile is infectious; the pearly whites behind that goatee shine out unnaturally. He must wear dentures.

                “Hello Mr. Ralph, it’s really nice to meet you. Is Katy by chance ready yet?” I dry wash my hands hoping she is ready to get out of here.

                “Well not yet, but me and her Father are in the kitchen, we just made some fresh iced tea, why don’t you join us and have a cup. Plus Michael wants to meet you before he sends you off with his only daughter!” Ralph turns and starts walking through this labyrinth of a house without a response from me.

                The hallways are lined with beautiful pieces of art from all different cultures. Some seem to be from ancient China while others resemble modern abstract art. Every few pictures there’s a wardrobe or small table with some kind of sculpture on it. Is Mr. Michael an art collector? We enter a bright room lit by a sky window.

                Behind a large dark granite island sits a man on a cherry wood stool.  He is wearing a light blue button up shirt with dark grey slacks, black socks and some black shoes. They look like those expensive Italian leather you see in fashion magazines.

                “You have to be Dan!” Michael stands up and walks over to me, he has the height of his brother but has a lean frame that contrasts his brothers muscular one.

                “Yes sir, it’s good to meet you Mr. Michael. You have a lovely home. I really like some of your art pieces.” I realize I have been dry washing my hands faster than before; I put them in my pockets. “Do you know if Katy is ready? I was hoping to get out on the lake before it gets too dark.

                “No, I think she needs a few more minutes. Do you want some tea?” Before I can reply he has already handed me a glass. It’s a heavy crystalline glass filled with a light brown liquid, a couple ice cubes, and a slice of lemon. I take the glass and take a sip. Unsurprisingly, it’s fantastic. “Tell me Dan, where exactly are you going to be on the lake, I like to know where Muffin will be.” His friendlier demeanor has shifted to a more serious one, arms moving from open to crossed. 

                “Well, there is a spot on the Western part of the lake. It’s almost cut off from the rest of it but you can get a small boat through. Most people don’t get in there because you have to have a really small boat, but I can get mine through. It’s quiet and the fish are small. I figure that will be a good place Sir.” Michael scratches his jaw with one hand, still staring at me. His face looks like one of his Greek sculptures I saw in the hallway; chiseled and hard.

                His face eases up and a small smile creeps across his face. “Alright son, that sounds ok to me. I think I know where you are talking about. Well, It’s good to meet you, I hope you guys have a good time. And just for traditions sake; bring back my daughter safe. If you don’t, Ralph will come looking for you.” Ralph looks me in the eyes and flexes. I think I heard the cotton screaming.

                “Yes sir! Nothing will happen to her, I promise.” I take my hands out of my pocket and salute.  Why did I salute? Why would I do that! I look like an idiot! Some movement catches the corner of my eye. It’s Katy. She is wearing a blue sundress, with matching shoes. Her golden curls bouncing as she walks towards us.

                “Hello Daniel.” Her voice calls out to me. It’s the beautiful serenade of a succubus. No! Shut up Dan. That’s creepy, don’t’ say that. “You look dashing. Are you ready to go?” I look down. I’m wearing a red T-shirt and some white-washed jeans. Dashing?

                “You look beautiful. And yeah I am totally ready to go. It was great to meet you Mr. Michael, Mr. Ralph.” Michael nods at me. Ralph gives my shoulder a squeeze and winks at me. That wink might mean, “Good luck out there buddy,” or “If you fuck up I’ll kill you.” Either is equally nerve wracking.

                Katy starts down the hallway we came in at; sundress flowing with every step. Her skin was a light sun-kissed golden. She must have tanned recently. She looks back at me, emerald eyes locking with mine. “You did park out front right?”

                “Yeah, I.” I realize I am dry washing my hands again. I pocket my mitts and look back up at her. “Yeah, I’m in your driveway.” She smiles back at me and keeps on going. I walk a little faster to walk beside her. “Your house is amazing. Is your dad an art collector?”

                Her eyebrows shoot up like she is surprised at the question. “Art? Oh yeah, my Mom loves art. She is always around the world at different art shows. New York, London, Paris. I’ve been to a couple but it’s kind of boring. But it’s what she lives for apparently.” She shrugs at me.

                We reach the door and pass through without any more dialogue. We get to my truck and I open the door for her. We start on down the road to the lake, which just happens to be around the corner because they own just about half the lakeside property. That’s probably the reason her father had no problem with me taking his daughter out to the lake for our first date. It’s practically their back yard.

                Finally we get the boat in the water after a few minutes. There wasn’t much talking on the way to the spot; it was too hard to hear over the din of the motor. As we approached the spot I cut the motor and let us drift through the isolated “mini-lake”. We were kept private by a wall of fir trees. The azure water gave the boat a light, but steady rock.  We set up our fishing rods without much hassle. She knows what she is doing surprisingly.

                We sat with our rods in the water for about ten minutes before she spoke. “So, do you come out here much?” My heart is beating abnormally fast. Is this a heart attack? No Dan, you’re just a pussy.

                “Yeah, I really like to come out here and just think. Even if I’m really not doing anything, it’s a great spot to just reflect on things that have been going on.” She looks me in the eyes. Exaggerated by her long, dark lashes, her eyes look like deep green emeralds. I need to make sure she likes me. This girl is beautiful. I can’t pass up this chance. Katy just smiles at my answer. We go back to just sitting for a little while; listening to sounds of nature.

                Ok Dan, this is it. This is the moment of truth. You have to do something to seal the deal here buddy. You need a second date. She looks distracted. Maybe she isn’t having a good time? Ok, here it goes. I slowly move my free hand to hers. I slide my palm onto her palm and wrap my fingers around her hand. She looks over at me with a coy smile; she gives my hand a light squeeze.

I am posting this to RoyalRoadl.com under the name J. Anthony

              

Steel is a Cold Bitch

Distracted by the glazed look in her eye, my mind started to wander to less immediate things. Dancing last night, the way she looked in that dress, the way her tits bounced if she laughs just right. Could I spend the rest of my life with this girl? I even love that frown... frown. 

"Jake! Seriously! Are you even listening to me? It's a fucking nightmare to think with this hangover. The most you can do is just listen to what I can say." I love it when she is annoyed, she wrinkles her nose and her lips puff out a little. 

"Sorry, I was just thinking about last night. Remember when that guy tried jumping off the roof to confess his love for Manny?"

"He broke his legs, that was terrible."

"It was the most beautiful proof of love I have ever seen. Why don't you break your legs for me?" Looking up from her coffee, she puffs out her chest and squeezes her breasts together.

"Do you want me Jake? Do you want me so bad that you want to see me swan dive off a roof?" She whips her hair back and stares at me seductively. 

Immediately we both start giggling. Life is cruel. Becky is a lesbian. Even though I might be in love with her I can't tell her anything about it because it would just ruin our relationship as friends, instead of invoking another step in the relationship. "How are things going with Lindsey? You guys move in together yet? I heard that her Dad was giving her a hell of a lot of trouble about the whole thing."

Taking a sip of her coffee she gave me an unfortunately familiar look. It's the look that your mother gave you as a child when you wanted to know things you shouldn't. "Now that's none of your business. That's between Lindsey, her Dad, and whoever they chose to tell. I can't spread around things told to me in confidence. What kind of a confidant would I be then? A shitty one, that's what kind I would be. Besides, they are all being over-dramatic about the whole thing. It's like a fucking soap opera." Putting her head into her hands she sighs. I hate seeing her so defeated. 

What do you do when you love someone who will never love you back? How do you move on when that person has been your best friend for 10 years? I look at my hands, the light shadowing of dirt on them makes it look like I was out hiking. 

"10 years." She looks at me confused. Why did I decide to do this now? I can't stand looking at her anymore and not being able to do anything. It will hurt her now, but it will save me a lifetime of heartache. 

"10 years what?" She takes a sip of her coffee dismissing it as nothing.

"It's how long I've been in love with you. But... But I can't be friends with you anymore. Becky I'm sorry but I can't do this anymore..." Her cheeks turn red, but instead of her eyes starting to water her brow furrows. 

"You can't do this anymore? What?! You can't be a good friend to me when my life is going to shit! My girlfriend is pulling me into her family feud. My parents disowned me coming out as a lesbian. I lost my job because I wouldn't sleep with my boss! But being my friend, is just too hard on you?!" Standing up she puts on her jacket and stares at me for a few seconds. "Sorry for being such a fucking burden. Go ask Daddy to deposit some money in your bank so you can wipe your tears. You don't know what real pain is. You're a sheltered child." 

I sit alone for a few hours drinking the refills the morose looking waitress brings me. This date may not have went as planned, but I have another date at home. She's cold, but she can solve all my problems. All I have to do is pull the safety back.