This story has scenes of mild domestic violence and hurtful language. If this is a trigger for you, you may want to consider skipping this story. The number of the domestic violence hotline with operators available 24 hours is:
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
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Simon
"Well, have you found ya' a big one yet?" My mother questioned in her Brooklyn accent. No matter how long she's lived in Upstate New York, her accent has never shown signs of waning.
"No, not yet," I whined. "You'd think after an hour and a half at this stinkin' Pumpkin Patch that I'd find her. Yet the 'perfect pumpkin' remains evasive. "
"Why does it have to be perfect, Simon? It's just a gourd you're going to cut holes in and leave to rot. I just don't get it."
While Mom continued talking, I take small measured steps, scanning the aisle for my pumpkin. As my weathered Vans crunch along the fall leaves littering the grassy field, I wrap my coat tighter around myself against the chill and press on.
"There are just so many things you could be spending your time doing besides wasting it in the cold." My mother was extremely good at reasoning. However, she just couldn't understand my obsession with wanting to find "the one." Probably because I didn't quite understand it well myself.
"I don't know, Mom. It just does. I gotta go though. I think I see a good one ahead. You're still free to judge the competition tomorrow, right?"
"Sure, sure. Is Ty gonna be there? I miss the ole' chap. I haven't seen him in a few weeks."
My Mom hasn't seen Ty in a few weeks because I kicked the douche bag out a month ago. She doesn't know that yet, though.
"No, he's busy this weekend, Mom. I've really gotta go though, my pumpkin might get taken by a handsome stranger."
My Mom chuckled and replied, "Alright, Si. I'll leave you to it. Love you, son. Good luck with the hunt."
"Thanks, Mom. Love you too."
I lied to my mother. I didn't see a good one ahead. I just couldn't keep talking about why I needed to find the perfect pumpkin. Or Ty. I knew the reason why I needed to find it so bad but I wasn't ready to talk about it yet. Admitting why would mean admitting I dumped Ty. I feel guilty about not telling her about Ty but I'm not ready to deal yet. I just know it's gonna be a big hassle and I'm not in the head space to deal with anymore big hassles for a very long time. It's also not that I'm not over him, its that I'm not over the lies and betrayal he caused me.
Earlier this month, I came home early from a work trip to find my boyfriend of eleven months hosting an illegal gambling ring in the living room of my one story ranch house.
I almost wished he were cheating instead.
When we got together, Ty told me he had a gambling problem but that he was going to meetings and had been "sober" from it for a year. It took me a while to realize he was lying through his teeth. I put up with the occasional night he would come home smelling of booze and disappointment but the last straw was the gambling party in my home while I was gone. Plus, he stole all the petty cash I had in my house at the time to set as collateral for the game. My Mom didn't know any of this though.
It felt good to kick Ty to the curb, but after that, a string of other bad luck events kept happening.
In the weeks after, my car had gotten two flat tires, I was moved from the best office at work into the worst room in the building, and I gained 5 pounds from eating instead of dealing with my problems. Ty also kept showing up at my work and home, wanting to reconcile. I sent him packing every time but he has yet to get the message.
So it's safe to say I haven't had a lot of wins in life lately. That's why I found myself at this patch, hunting down the 'perfect pumpkin'. She needed to be large, perfectly round, with no bumps or odd discoloration. This pumpkin is supposed to guarantee me my win at the annual, "Pumpkin Carve Competition" at my besties Stacy and Lauren's house tomorrow. I haven't won a single time in the last five years of our friendship, but this year I was determined to dominate. I just needed this one win.
I'm pulled from my determination by a flash of bright orange perfection out of the corner of my eye. I take in the pumpkin, with its impeccable symmetry, smooth surface, and bright coloring. I finally found her, the perfect pumpkin! In my haste to get to her, my vision disregards the entire human being making a beeline for the same pumpkin.
SMACK!
The stranger and I hit the ground on either side of the pumpkin. As I take collection of what just happened while still laying on the cold, hard ground, a hand appears in front of my face.
My mind suddenly clears as I look up into the most handsomest face that God and Cher has ever created.
Dante
I shake myself from the hit as I rise from the ground and dust myself off. The tiny human who smacked into me still lays dazed on the ground. The fact that he was able to knock me down at all is a miracle considering how actually small he is.
Quickly, I make my way over to him and offer my hand. It takes him a few moments to collect his bearings as he blinks up at me. Finally, he reaches upwards and clasps my hand while I pull his light body up.
As he comes to a full stand, I can't help but admire his graceful form. Standing below me by at least a foot, I take in his full appearance. From his light auburn hair and green eyes to his dark, tight clothing hugging his lithe form, I'm immediately enamored by him. So enamored in fact that I barely notice when he heads straight towards my pumpkin and begins to cut her off the vine.
"Um, excuse me there, sweetheart. What the hell do you think you're doing with my pumpkin?" I know I'm a pretty big guy so at times I can be intimidating. It's very likely that this is one of those times. I hover over the small man with my chest bulging and my hands clenched.
To my surprise, he rises to his full height and attempts to press his chest against mine. His height however makes this impossible and we end up standing with his head just barely grazing my pec, still in the middle of the crowded pumpkin patch.
"First of all, I'm not your sweetheart. And second of all, what do you mean "your" pumpkin, buddy?" I take a step back in utter surprise. I never thought a man this small could have so much bravado. I'd be impressed if he wasn't trying to steal my pumpkin.
"That pumpkin your about to take of the vine? I definitely saw it first. I was just about to cut her off the vine myself if you hadn't come barreling into me. You're welcome for helping you up by the way." I don't really care about this particular pumpkin, but I'll be damned if I let the little guy walk all over me.
The sassy thing in front of me scoffs and crosses his arms on his chest. It would be quite intimidating if he wasn't so innocent and young looking. Staying mad at him became harder and harder as attraction and amusement fought for first place in my emotions.
"Yeah, that's a likely story but there's no way to prove you saw it first. Who's to say we didn't see it at the same time?"
"Fair point," I conceded. "How about we just rock, paper, scissors for it? It's the fairest way to decide who gets the pumpkin."
Unsurprisingly, he scoffed again and rolled his eyes.
"What are you, twelve? Is that how you decide all your big boy decisions?"
I hid my smirk at his attitude and pressed on.
"What, are you scared you're gonna lose? Because I can just go ahead and take the pumpkin now to save you some embarrassment."
"That won't be necessary," he assured me. "Alright, we'll rock, paper, scissors. Best two out of three gets to take her. I hope you're ready, hot shot."
With that, we both held out a flat palm with our hand wrapped into a fist on top of it.
"Ready?" He questioned. At my nod, he continued. "On the count of three, then. 1, 2, 3!"
