The townhouse was empty; most of the furniture was hers.
I sat down on the one easy chair I had, my favorite recliner, looking around.
I was fucked, plain and simple.
"What the fuck was I thinking?" I murmured out loud.
I wasn't thinking. That was the problem. A pretty younger girl showed me attention..I got caught up in it. I was 50 years old, good job, my divorce from my wife years ago finished..I felt free for the first time in years. I wasn't looking to be tied down again..but then she came along.
I'm not a bad looking guy..yeah, a bit bigger, a belly, but I worked out trying to stay somewhat solid..plus I looked about 40 instead of 50.
So when she expressed interest I wasn't surprised..a 35 year old hot girl. I should have been smarter. The red flags were there, but the sex was too good. But the prescription pills, the no having a job..the kid she had that was with his grandmother more than her..flags I ignored..until far too late.
She couldn't pay her rent..I offered to let her stay with me..there's the downfall.
The apartment I had wasn't enough..so there we were, looking at a townhouse that was way too expensive.
I held my head in my hands, remembering.
The first week here, her having a fit over something silly. Telling me I wasn't paying enough attention to her. That I was at the office too much. Yeah, I was trying to stay away from HER. Finally it came to a head when she was fucked up on vodka and pills and began hitting me..her 10 year old son actually called the police on her. She tried to convince the police when they arrived that I was hitting her, abusive, etc..but she was so fucked up and aggressive they ended up taking HER to jail.
I worked fast; paid a mover to move all her stuff in storage the next day, changed the locks. She wasn't on the lease, so easy enough to cut her out. Her mother came and got her son, the sad, weary look on her mother's face told me all I needed to know.
So, happy in a sense, but debt was now piled up.
I shook it off and stood up. Fuck this "poor poor me" shit.
I had about 10 months left on the townhouse lease..the place was huge, 3 bedrooms with a master bedroom. Why not advertise for a roommate?
I grabbed my laptop and posted the ad. I was determined to take control of my life again.
The next week, I had several inquiries.
A few were college kids, I nixed that right away..wasn't looking for party central in my townhouse.
A few more were obviously not in a stable income...I had to put them to the side as well.
I was about to give up hope when I got a message from a applicant. 35 years old, stable job, in the same industry I was working.
I sent a message back, asking for him to meet me at the townhouse the next day.
The time we setup was later in the evening..so I hit the gym and got a workout in before heading home.
I got to my townhouse, grabbed some water out of the fridge, and right on time, I heard the doorbell.
I probably could have changed and showered before, I thought..I was in a tank top and my gym shorts..but I just figured, fuck it.
I opened up and the applicant was there smiling.
"Hi, I'm here about..um..you needing a roommate?" He seemed nervous.
I did a quick look..slight build, about 5'6" or so, medium length blonde hair, very blue eyes..features that were soft. Dressed in a blue polo shirt and khakis..looking very casual professional.
I reached out a hand for a shake. "Yeah, hey, Evan, right? I'm Darrell, nice to meet you."
He smiled and I welcomed him into the house.
"Ahh, sorry, I don't look great, just got back from the gym."
He smiled..almost like he stammered a bit. "Oh, no..not a problem, I understand."
So, I showed him the townhouse. It went well, he definitely seemed interested.
The tour done, we sat at the dining room table and chatted. He was working as a system engineer, I was doing the same, so we chatted about tech stuff.
"I have some furniture coming for the living room," I said, pointing at the lone easy chair pointing at the big screen TV on the wall. I laughed. "I know, looks like I just moved out of my parents house."
He smiled. "That's fine, I wouldn't bother you."
I shrugged. "Nah, you could hang out in the living room all you want. Rather not have a stranger as a roommate, you know."
I could have swore he blushed a bit. May have been my imagination.
"Well," I leaned back in my chair. "I'm convinced. If you want it, you can be my new roomie."
He smiled. "Oh, great! I really like this area and the house is so great! But.." His face got very serious. "Ahh..look, i should tell you, right away..I'm gay. I hope that's not a problem."
I just laughed. "Oh, hell, I don't care. Why would I?"
He blushed a little. "Well, you know..it's the south..some people are..well.."
"Hey, its fine. Not a worry, okay?" He smiled at that.
We shook hands again, he signed the agreement and left with keys.
Things were looking up.
Evan moved in that weekend, I happily helped him get his things into the townhouse. He took the larger bedroom upstairs, I figured the other smaller one I could tailor into a home office at some point.
Evan was a great roommate; quiet, and yet not aloof. Over the next two months, he always paid his part of the bills, he even would cook for us, or I'd grab some steaks and grill, just two guys hanging out having a beer, or he would have some wine.
My money situation was turning around, I could see the end of the tunnel, I was happier than I was in such a long time.
Then, of course, SHE had to contact me.
I was flabbergasted she had the nerve.
I was home on a Friday evening..I just got back from the gym, sweaty and a little sore..good workout, though. My phone rang...it was a number I didn't recognize.
"Hi, how are you," like nothing ever happened.
I just replied, "Fine." Then she just started talking and talking and talking about all the things that was wrong with her, no money, can't afford rent, how she thinks she's sick...after a while I got tired of holding the phone and just sat it down on the couch while I channeled surfed.
Finally she stopped talking. "Hey," I said, "I gotta go, I got some things I need to do."
The bitch came back out. "I said I needed help!" She screeched on the other end. "I guess I can't rely on you." That pouty voice I didn't miss.
I laughed. "Nah, you can't. Bye." I heard her schreeching on the other end as I tapped the call end button. Then blocked the number.
Then I just laughed again. Long and hard..it felt good.
Evan walked in carrying some groceries and saw me giggling like an idiot. "Funny movie on TV? " He asked.
I walked over and helped him with the bags. "Nah, just a bit of closure. I'll tell you about it after a few beers."
He smiled and said, "Hey, I got some steaks, thought maybe we could grill them up this evening, unless you have plans." We walked into kitchen, carrying the bags and began putting groceries away.
I laughed. "You've been here a while, you know I never have plans."
"I just figured a guy like you would at least have a few girls you are dating." He was looking me up and down, I noticed...I was still in my gym clothes.
I almost roared with laughter. "Believe me, right now that is the last thing I need. I'm gonna grab a shower, then we'll get some beers and steaks going."
Evan smiled and somehow it was comforting.
It was a very hot southern summer evening; I decided to wear some shorts, tank top and sandals. I actually looked in the mirror as I dressed..I looked better, I thought..my shaved head, goatee..my belly was still there..hard to get rid of..but it was solid, and my arms looking a lot more like they were before the crazy times.
I walked out to the patio and fired the grill up; the summer made it brutal outside. I walked back in, and went to the kitchen.
I was a little surprised by what I saw.
Evan decided to do shorts as well..they were shorter and a little tighter..like the old track shorts I remember as a high schooler. His legs were slender, and smooth. And I realized his ass was incredibly round and full for the first time. He was at the counter, fixing the steaks.
"Oh, hey! Here, I have a beer ready for you." He handed me the beer with a smile.