1)
I took the afternoon off work so I could catch a baseball game. The Jays were hosting the hated Yankees. I met my buddy Dave outside the stadium. The first pitch was thrown out by a local celebrity. He was a soccer player who played on the Canadian national team. He also played in the English Premiere League for Arsenal. He was probably the best Canadian soccer player there was.
He also used to be one of our best buddies back in high school. His name was Ben Latimore. We all grew up in a town called Lindsay, Ontario. It isn't that far from Toronto, but it has more of a small town vibe.
"When was the last time you talked to Ben, Dave?"
"It was a while ago, 6 months maybe. He's having a blast in London."
"Yeah, about the same for me. He's famous now, but he's still the same old Ben."
"Yeah, he hasn't let it go to his head like some do. He's still a cool guy."
"Let's see if we can talk to him after the game."
"Sounds like a plan Wayne."
In case you didn't know, The English Premiere League is definitely one of the best soccer leagues in the world. The world's best players play there. Ben didn't score many goals. He was a defender. He got paid to stop other people from scoring. He was in Arsenal's regular lineup and Arsenal is perennially one of the best teams in the Premiere League and that means one of the best teams in the world. He wasn't world famous, like Ronaldo or Maradona or whatever, but all real soccer fans, or football fans over in England would know who he was.
Canada is not really all that good at soccer. We never make the world cup. Ben was the face of Canadian soccer. He was pretty famous in Canada. We were always hoping that we would be good the next year.
Anyways, the Blue Jays lost to the Yankees. Jeter had a great game. I hate that guy. We headed towards press row. We figured Ben probably got interviewed on TV during the broadcast of the game.
When we got closer there was an area cordoned off. We could see some old ball players hanging around along with the reporters. We caught sight of Ben over in the corner. There were even security guards making sure nobody got in who wasn't supposed to get in. We were able to catch Ben's eye and wave to him. Ben's eyes lit up when he saw us. He motioned for us to wait for him. He said his good byes hastily and came up to us in 5 minutes.
2)
"God it's good to see you guys. How you doin?"
"Good Ben, good. You wanna go for a couple of drinks?"
"Sounds like a plan Wayne. Lead the way."
We shot the shit for a while like friends will do.
"So what's it like to play for Arsenal, Ben? Women flock to you?"
"Oh man Dave, it's unbelievable. There are women everywhere throwing themselves at me. I'm not shitting you. Some of them are freaking gorgeous too."
"Wow Ben."
He grinned at us. "Look guys, I'm not gonna lie. I've had my share of quick sex hook ups with groupies. It gets old guys. It really does. I really wish I could find a woman who didn't know that I make millions of dollars a year."
Dave and I looked at each other. We shrugged. We just couldn't understand where he was coming from.
Two hotties butted into our conversation.
"Hey Ben. How are you doing? Could you sign these for us?"
Ben smiled at the girls and signed their stuff for them. Both girls pushed their titties up against him.
"Excuse me ladies." He nodded over at Dave and me.
The ladies smiled at him. "Bye Ben," they strutted away.
"See, that's what I'm talking about."
"They were hot Ben."
"Oh I know, I'm still a man, but all they saw was dollar signs. Trust me. I can tell."
"Hey Ben, have you seen Myra lately?"
Ben looked surprised. "Myra? Myra Freeman? No, Why?"
"She asks about you every time I talk to her buddy."
"Me too Ben," said Dave.
"Really? Myra Freeman asks about me? Wow."
"Ben, buddy. You're famous now dude."
"I know, I know. But Myra Freeman, wow."
Dave and I laughed.
"You should call her dude."
Ben was a popular kid in high school. Everyone liked him, but he wasn't really all that confident back then. He had always liked Myra. Heck, all of us had always liked Myra. Myra was the hottest girl in the whole school in my opinion. She was also probably the nicest person in the whole school. She was nice to everyone. It didn't matter if you were a math geek or a football jock.
I could think of only two people in the whole school who didn't like Myra. That would be the next two hottest girls in the school. They were stuck up bitches.
Anyways, Ben stared off into space for a while.
"I don't have her number guys. I can't call her."
Dave whipped out his phone. "Ready Ben?"
Ben looked at him and then pulled out his phone. "Go ahead Dave."
Dave announced the number and Ben added it to his phone.
"You really think I should call her guys?"
"She's here in T.O. Ben. And as far as I know, she's single. What have you got to lose buddy?"
Ben nodded. "I'll be back in a few guys. Don't leave without me."
Ben disappeared.
I had asked Myra out myself just after high school ended. She rejected me. She was very nice about it, but she rejected me. She made it clear that we would never become a couple. We were still pretty good friends though. She just was a really nice person. I talked about her with Dave once. He'd also asked her out around the same timeframe. He got pretty much the exact same result. She rejected him nicely and they were still friends.
We both agreed that whoever caught Myra would be a very lucky man.
Ben came back into the bar with a shit-eating grin on his face.
"Well guys, I hope you don't mind taking a little walk over to the 123 club?"
"What's up Ben?"
"We're meeting Myra there."
"Now? Don't you want to go alone Ben?"
"Naw, I'd rather if you guys came along with me. You've kept up with her. I've barely talked to her in years and even back in high school I hardly talked to her."
"Whatever you say Ben. Let's go."
3)
Myra had just gotten off work. She looked even more beautiful as a 23 year old business woman than she did in high school. She gave all 3 of us nice hugs.
We chatted away for hours. Time was flying by.
A couple of times people interrupted us for Ben's autograph but otherwise we had a great time. Ben was obviously smitten with Myra. Myra looked like she might just be smitten with him as well.
Ben and Myra left together.
"Well Dave, there goes the future Mrs. Ben Latimore."
"I think you're right. Oh well, at least Ben is a good guy. They will probably be very happy together."
Dave and I clinked glasses.
Two attractive women sat down at our table. They both were showing a fair amount of cleavage. I was having trouble keeping my eyes on their faces.
"Hi guys... How are you doing tonight?"
"Better now," I said with a grin.
The blonde one smiled at me.
"So that was Ben Latimore wasn't it?"
"Yes, that was Ben."
"What's he like?"
"Ben's a great guy. I think you're out of luck though. My friend and I were just discussing things. I think Ben is totally taken with our friend Myra.
"Damn it all," said the blonde.