Author's Note: As with many unrequited loves, there comes a make-it-or-break-it point when the relationship either changes or ends. This is such a tale. Hopefully, you enjoy the telling. Constructive comments and suggestions are always welcomed.
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"Hey, Jennie! Jennie!"
A cute Asian young woman stopped upon hearing her name and turning, looked in the crush of people before her for the person who had called out to her. Her large almond-shaped eyes widen in surprise when she saw me waving and broad smile of delight brightened her pretty face as we move towards each other.
"Lee! Is it you! My goodness, it has been ages since I last saw you! I almost didn't recognize you. You've changed so much. Gone are your glasses...contacts? And my, you've grown and gotten muscular...what's that...six-one now...and working out at a gym and running? Well, good for you. You're looking good!"
"You're sweet to say so, Jennie, but that was always the case with you. You're still as pretty as ever...my five-foot-two Korean gal-pal. Hey, I'm sorry that I haven't called or kept in contact. Soon after we parted, my cell phone got zapped and wiped of my contact information that of people, I didn't back it up. I was tempted to ask your folks for your number, but...well...you know how they were with me."
The words that rolled of my tongue came easily for in high school Jennie has been my best girl-friend. Besides her bright smile, clever sense of humor, and sharp wit, Jennie was just beautiful in my eyes. Just right for her petite form, her perky tits had enough heft to jiggle enticingly when she walked quickly to keep up with my long strides. Although her waist was slender, there was this slight pudge just below her bellybutton that I found to be ultra-feminine but was horrifying to her. As a result, Jennie made in a lot of dieting resolutions that were followed by pig-out sessions with me. Her legs were well-proportioned and shapely, but her tight butt was to die for and the subject of many wet dreams.
As you can readily tell, I was madly but silently infatuated with Jennie. But, while we were the best of friends, we never crossed the line that separated friends from lovers. Maybe it was because of her parents disapproving of ...no, rather, hating their daughter hanging out with a tall blond, blue-eyed geek. Or, it might have been that we ran with different crowds with Jennie with the popular group and me with the socially awkward nerds of the school's math/science/chess clubs. Yet, we were linked to each other by a unique friendship that no one, including ourselves, could understand.
But to me, the real reason that we never became a couple was that Jennie wasn't drawn to "nice" guys like me but to the proverbial "bad boys" of the school and community. The guys who thumbed their noses at authority, skirted the edge of criminal activities, or were disrespectful toward women, turned Jennie on to no end. When she was immersed in one of her 'scumbag affairs' (as I enviously referred to them), Jennie dropped out of my life. It was only after being used, abused, and finally dumped that she would turn to me for solace.
I was an ear that would listen with criticism or judgment, a shoulder to cry on, and the voice of reassurance and comfort. I was the one who helped her pull herself together, hung with her, and then sighed silently when another punk came along to catch her eye, Some might say the Jennie was using me, but sad to say, I didn't mind for when she returned to me, I had a chance to be with the woman of my dreams even if it was for a fleeting moment.
"You know, Lee, I should find a guy who is more like you. Someone who will be kind, comforting, and loving." Jennie lamented after her last disastrous high school romance with a punk voted 'most likely to go to jail.' Why can't I find a 'nice guy' like you?"
My response at the time (and as always) was "...because nice guys don't take advantage of women like you and always finish last when it comes to winning the affection of pretty girls like you."
"So, Lee," Jennie said, interrupting my recollections and bringing me suddenly back to the present, "sorry that I didn't stay in touch with you too after high school. I did go Pepperdine out a Malibu as I had planned...yep, communications...you know how I love to yak. Unfortunately, I continued my losing streak and stumbled through one after another miserable affair. I thought of calling you, but when you didn't call me like you used to do in high school, I figured you had moved on and found someone else. Now, let's see...as I recall, you went to...UCLA...right? And then what?
"Yep, UCLA for a bachelor's in electrical engineering...and then to UC-Berkley for a doctoral in the same field...hey, what did you expect a geek like me to do? After that, I landed a sweet program developer job with a major technology corporation and they have me doing some classified work for the military...which I can't talk about or else I'd have to kill you...ha, ha! The pay with incentives is good, but being able to work from home is great. In fact, I have a condo not too far from this supermarket...which explains the bags of food."
"Hey, I see that you're doing well as a vlogger on YouTube, Jennie. I catch your videos with your boyfriend, Harry, when I need a break and time allows. They were hilarious in the beginning, but lately...I hope you don't mind me saying...have become a bit... hmmm...edgy with dark humor from your boyfriend. I don't know if it's an act, but lately, you appear shocked and disappointed at some of his comments. But I'm probably reading too much into it because you seem to truly love him."
"How do you do it, Lee? Despite the years that have passed, you still can read me like a book even if it is through a computer monitor. Let me just say that Harry is the same kind of guy that I fell for in high school. Yeah, I know. You would think that I would have learned my lesson by now, but sigh, it ain't the case. Sad, huh?
"What about you, Lee? Has any special woman taken my place in your heart?"
"Nah, Jennie, you've always been the one...'big sigh.' Sad to say that without you, I'm forced to live a monk-like life of solitude, meditation, and abstinence...double 'big sigh.'"
"Oh, stop tugging at my heartstrings, you boldfaced liar. You always had a way with words...able to make me think, laugh, or be happy when I was down. I wish Harry could be more like you, Lee.
"But, hey, let's not spoil a good day by talking about my bastard of a boyfriend. I came here to get away from Harry and to get a bit to eat. Would you believe it that I immediately found a parking stall right outside and then unbelievably stumbled across my long-lost best friend? What is the next good thing that will happen to me today?"
"Well, Jennie, I walked here from my condo to get some exercise and food. If you give me a ride to my place, I'll cook us some lunch. I'm not a bad cook, trust me."
"Okie-dokie! The way to this Korean girl's heart is through her stomach! And we haven't chow do together in a long time. Let me pick up some wine, and off we go."
