This story is a work of fiction; any similarities to persons in the real world or in another fictional world are purely coincidental. Fore warning: This story has some technical details that only "nerds" will enjoy; but feel free to just ignore and it keep reading, they are not integral to the story.
It's longer than I thought it would be, but I wanted to build the characters up and really explore their personality and relationships. I promise there are some pretty neat (IMO) surprises at the end.
People say that seasonal depression is common around major holiday seasons. I know it's something I would experience when I was single, but I never really thought about it much after I got married and had kids. To be honest, I was just too busy to be depressed! Running errands, shopping, trying to get those last-minute deadlines at work finished so you can actually enjoy your holiday time off without it weighing your mind down...
But as most marriages go, you have your ups and downs; for me, it was currently on the down-slope. We have one daughter and I love her dearly, but there's just no fire between me and my wife anymore. On our 5th anniversary, we went to a restaurant and ... not much else.
To the casual observer we would appear to be a normal, happily-married couple. We hugged, kissed, gave each other back rubs, put our arms around each other as we sit in church every Sunday; we were devoted to each other's needs in all areas except physically.
I grew up in a spiritual home, and considered myself in good-standing with God; we had a good relationship and I talked to Him as you would a wise friend whom you go to for wisdom and guidance. My wife was newer to the faith, but she was on good terms as well. That's why we never seriously considered things like divorce or adultery; we knew we had to stick it out together.
But days turns into weeks, and months, and longer. Unlike most men, sex for me isn't just a good time; it's supposed to be a close inter-personal bonding—an emotional need—even though a lot of men don't realize or won't admit it. So I was just tired of the rejection, and became mentally disengaged. Because of my beliefs I had few options that involved anyone but myself, but I did return to pornography. It was really unfulfilling, though; I found that I really enjoyed written erotica, with one site in particular that I had mentally bookmarked.
So our lives had fallen into a pattern of my wife and I mostly enjoying our own hobbies separately, with the occasional family activity. Speaking of family activities: Christmas is coming up, and our daughter Joy is coming home from college to spend the time with us. I was really looking forward to having someone else around the house for a change.
* * * * *
"Ugh, I can't," I told my friend Beth on the phone. "I always go home to spend Christmas with my mom and dad; they'd be mad if I went to someone else's house. Besides, my dad always mopes around the house and complains about everything whenever we talk; so I want to go cheer him up."
Beth replied, "I knew you were going to say that... But I figured I would offer, being your most amazing friend that I am—"
"You're my only friend," I interjected.
"Well, look," she continued, "it's not my fault you're an introverted nerd. But I'm sure you'll have fun at your boring house with your boring parents, doing nerdy stuff like playing chess and talking about computers."
I laughed hardily, "I will take that as a compliment. I know you don't like doing all that 'nerdy' stuff I like doing, but that's just me OK? That's why I have you around... to get me out of my shell and stuff."
"Oh really? I still haven't got you to even go to first base with a guy. You're going to have like 27 robot AI cats running around the house, and have a garden gnome yell at the neighborhood kids
<imitating artificial voice>
'Please vacate the lawn at your earliest convenience'."
At this point I was falling out of my chair laughing, because it sounded so totally cool—and something I could totally see myself doing. I made some mental notes to investigate modding a garden gnome to install a speaker and a motion sensor, and read some books on AI and robotics.
"Oh crap I gotta go, have a boring Christmas and I'll see you next year!" Beth hung up.
I liked Beth, we had so much fun together kidding each other about our personality differences. She was an extrovert (obviously) and I had a love/hate relationship with the activities and dates she suckered me into.
She was right about one thing, though; I was totally on the dry side when it came to relationships. I don't know why; I just don't feel like it, OK? You know, it's like—when I meet a guy my age, all they want to do is drink and party, and probably have sex and stuff; I want someone who's more intellectually stimulating.
Make no mistake, though, I did have needs; I was no stranger to taking care of business for myself. If you think about it, masturbation is kind of like a same-sex relationship. I wonder how that would work? But not just anyone, it'd have to be discreet; someone I know very well and can trust with a secret and not to make it all weird. I guess logistically that boils down to Beth... oh crap no! Sorry, I got distracted—I do go off on mental bunny trails frequently.
I like to think of myself as straight, even though I haven't had any experience to say for or against. I sometimes wonder how a penis would feel, or even a tongue... Oh man it's getting hot right now, I need to stop.
So anyway, Christmas will be so much fun to get away from college stuff for a bit!
* * * * *
"Oh my God, Rob, you're such a scrooge!" I was surprised; my wife seemed genuinely upset about this. "I got an amazing opportunity for my business, and you want me to just ignore it? We've done Christmas together for 24 years, surely it won't be horrible to just let me go."
"Ok, Karen; if it means that much to you, go ahead. It's your business, and if you've got the funds from sales, go ahead and do it. You can write it off on taxes. It's just that Joy has been off at college for 3 and a half years; this is her last year of school. Who knows where she'll move after she graduates? It might be our last year together for awhile."
Karen groaned. "Look, she's 21; her friend, Beth, is probably gonna try to get her do some kind of party and meet guys and stuff—".
"Oh c'mon, this is Joy we're talking about it," I said, giving her an 'are you crazy?' look.
"Well anyway," Karen continued dismissively, "she needs to grow up and live her own life. It'll be good for her."
