The Girls, A Park, and Another Assumption
It’s hard to really call it “the next day” when we didn’t actually sleep. There were some brief naps, and I still had a serum that kept be going, but we all really needed to maybe stop drinking and get some food. Jade suggested the cafe down the hill, Carla said she was starving, and Caitlyn sat up at the thought of coffee, so off we went.
Oh man, I need coffee.
I hadn’t really met Jade before, although I’d seen her several times at the club. Caitlyn seemed to know her, but kept talking about how great Carla was.
I’ll admit, she was a hoot. I think she’s going to be a good friend. She’s quite funny too!
“I don’t know what you did, but I stepped on a duck!”
We lost it. I think we were still a little drunk.
After a few hours wandering the park around the cafe, Caitlyn wanted to head over to the park where I’d run into her wife Teagan, and we both met Creepy Guy. I didn’t see him this time.
I did spot Skyler out for a walk, looking… whoa! That kid’s coming in fast.
Caitlyn barbequed up some vegetables, although I really could have used a burger. Apparently Teagan’s a vegetarian, and Caitlyn has … “adjusted”, she said. I wondered briefly if there was any meat in the park I could catch with the stuff she’d cooked.
But it was a great day out with good friends. I wondered what Aiden was doing on this sunny Sunday afternoon.
By the time I’d convinced myself to call him, Caitlyn wandered off to the bar, and a friend of Jade’s had shown up. Lacie, I think she said. I wasn’t paying too much attention. Aiden said was just sitting around the house, and agreed to come down to the park! I was really looking forward to this.
About 15 minutes later, he arrived. Man, he cleans up well. He wasn’t wearing those glasses last night, but … yum. Kind of a sexy nerd thing going on. I’m sure I can talk him out of that ponytail, but …
Hey… where’re you going, Aiden?
He headed straight down to the playground. Seriously? I’M OVER HERE!
He spent the entire time down playing with the kids. I don’t *think* any of them were his, it’s just … I don’t know. I guess it’s really nice that he likes kids that much, I just wanted him to spend some time with *me*. It was heart-warming and -breaking at the same time.
Caitlyn came over to say goodbye for the day, and saw me watching Aiden.
“It’ll work out,” she said and hugged me. I mumbled thanks, but I was thinking less charitable thoughts.
He didn’t even wave. Or smile at me.
Hmph.
I went home, and napped. Maybe I’ll see him again, maybe I’ll avoid him like a hot box of cobras and go live in a cave with that robot from work.
Hours later, I woke to the phone ringing. It was Carla, asking if I wanted to head out for dinner. I agreed, thinking that a nice expensive dinner was what I needed right now.
After ordering and talking for a few minutes, I realised what was going on. Jeez I’m clueless sometimes. Caitlyn had set us up. I’ll have to have yet another talk with that woman.
I guess I’d really never talked with her about it, and only complained about Kimberley. Oh, and Skylar. Shit… Georgia. Wow. Okay, I see it now.
Carla must have noticed the stunned look in my eyes. She smiled sadly.
“Let me guess; Caitlyn’s meddling when she should be listening.”
“I’m sorry…” I started. She chuckled.
“No, that’s okay. I’m sorry for assuming. She means well, and I guess she thought two of her friends would …”
“Finally be happy?”
“Have what she’s got?”
“Teagan is really hot.” She almost spat out her … whatever the hell she was eating. But we were both laughing.
“To meddling but thoughtful friends.”
We talked well into the night, and I think got to know each other well. We won’t be dating, but I’m sure we’ll be good friends.
At least, I hope so. I’d hate to lose friends just because I won’t date them. That would SUCK.