Some people would think I'm insane for living the life I do now. I only know that this is the happiest I've been in a long time and I think the only way I can rationalize things is to share them with my readers and let them make up their own minds.
I am reaping the rewards of a second turn in life, so to say. Yet, I would not be enjoying this newfound zest for life had I not experienced the first signs of success.
Most of you will know me as Eric O'Neil, a very successful author of thrillers and detective novels. My best-known character is a vivacious, attractive New York homicide detective named Kate McShane. To date, I have written over 52 novels featuring the character, plus other lesser-known works. Some of you may recall my predilection for naming the novels alphabetically -- for example, my own favorite in the series,
N is for Nightshade
. As I have now concluded the alphabet, I'm thinking of having a new twist. Perhaps I'll feature criminals from different countries -- say, for example,
C is for Canada
. Of course, we all know a criminal mastermind could not possibly come from Canada -- they're simply too nice.
Just kidding as many of you will ascertain -- I am Canadian, born and bred. I am also fairly sure you can find some of my ex-girlfriends who will also divulge I can be a real son of a bitch when called upon.
I was not by any means an overnight success, but I did have several prominent authors champion me from an early age. So, by the ripe old age of 27, I was earning a living as an author and able to stop teaching. I still guest lecture several times a year, because I believe in giving back.
It was at one of my earliest such lectures that I met and was totally captivated by Jade Michelle. Originally she had come to the University of Toronto to follow a relationship that went bust quite early on. Enjoying our climate "for a change of pace" she said -- I never believed that -- she stayed on for a while, working in a local pub and paying her own way entirely. Jade was no one's charity case.
I became a regular at that pub and realized soon that this was no mere infatuation. I was falling hard for this girl and just as that came to light, she announced she was returning to Hawaii. It had only taken her two rough Canadian winters to send her packing for warmer climes. What was a boy to do now?
This was no time to second guess myself. I got down on one knee and proposed. Jade shot me down. She didn't want someone marrying her just so they could "own" her. I assured her that I had been thinking marriage for a while now, although the Hawaii part had thrown me for a loop. I was by then making enough money that I could afford to have two homes and even though I am a true Hoser, I'd had enough of Canadian winters myself. A life with this exotic beauty held a lot of promise if I could just make her see that as well.
I find myself wondering if Jade had been a barrister in a previous life. For every reason I had for us to get married, she had a rational counter-argument. Finally, I tried a stunt worthy of Perry Mason -- I tried a completely different tactic.
"We should get married..." I said, looking directly into her deep, dark eyes and drawing a deep breath "... because we love each other."
She frowned, then realized that she couldn't play the deception too well. "You rat," she shook her head, jet-black curls cascading everywhere. "Leave it to you to find the one argument I couldn't win. You're right, of course, we
do
love each other."
Yes, that little factoid had been virtually undeniable since our second encounter. We had yet to even start dating, but a heated discussion between us over a chapter in my then-latest novel had fueled a sex-filled night of passion that kept us both from working the following day. There are things Jade did in bed that first time that I still can't put into words -- and don't forget what I do for a living.
Jade was the type of woman who was up for anything -- and I mean
anything
. Earlier in our relationship, she had noticed a young woman attending one of my lectures who was paying just a bit
too
much attention. "She's really into you," Jade said of the attractive, busty young redhead. "I bet that all you'd have to do is ask and she'd fall right into bed with you."
I shook my head. "Perhaps she just likes my writing, might that not be it?" Jade shook her head as if to tease me. "Her name's Molly and she's been to my entire series of lectures. Around here, the powers-that-be don't really like us going out with students. Besides, I'm involved with you, aren't I? I rather strongly doubt that Molly missed the dark-haired goddess hanging off my arm."
Jade took compliments well and adored getting them. "Invite her to join us for a drink afterwards. I wouldn't mind sampling a bit of that myself," she grinned, hoping to startle me. She succeeded.
"You are really taking a leap of faith," I responded. "How do you know she wouldn't take offense to that? She might not want to share me with another woman or might not be bi? Let's just let it be?"
My words had fallen on deaf ears, because Jade had already left my side and was now - "discussing" things -- with the attractive coed. When she sauntered back over to my side with an exaggerated, she held a tiny scrap of paper in her hand. "Her cell phone number," Jade purred as she ran her tongue along her lips. "We're to give her a call when the lecture concludes, she's going to go home and `get prepared', as she put it. I guess the work can wait when naughty is in the offing."
"So, little Miss Molly is bi?"
"Oh no, she's been perfectly straight -- until now. I believe
any
straight woman can be bi if given the proper incentive," Jade said as I went over my notes.
"And sex with me was the proper incentive?" I chuckled.
"Oh no,
I'm
the incentive," Jade said as she brushed lint from my jacket. "She probably would have given up on you after a bit more rejection, I'm just the sexy cherry on the very
yummy
cake."
Please know, dear reader, is that at this point, I had NO idea that my girlfriend was sexually attracted to women. This had all come out of left field.
If I didn't still have the notes from the lecture, I would have NO idea what I talked about that night. It's all still a blur. I can remember only two things -- my impish girlfriend kept raising her skirts to reveal an ungodly amount of stocking-clad legs -- and I desperately wanted a drink to bolster my courage.