Chapter 4

A Chapter by soliloquy

Jolleen helps Travis out with the reality of the situation.

I decide to go the gift shop that is inside the large grocery store in town and find a dozen yellow long stem roses,a bottle of red wine, and some cheese and crackers. I leave the store hoping I'm not making a large assumption about my chances with Jolleen, but I think. I just really dont want to be alone tonight. And she is gorgeous and available no doubt!

I am not prepared for this conversation with Andrea. I want to say, "Yeah I'm looking for Kevin. I'd like to hook up with him tonight. Can you tell me where Travis is so I can ask him for his help? Or are you too bust cheating on him with some young dude to help me?"

But I bite my tongue and instead ask if Travis is around. Andrea quietly shakes her head and I hand the wallet to Andrea. Andrea surprises me greatly by saying. "Who are you? Are you one of those girls from Travis' work?" I take a step back and say, "How do you know me? I am only bringing back Travis' wallet. He left it at Mulligans." Andrea evenly says, "Yeah right! Travis probably wants you. Why don't you just keep his wallet? I'm done with him. Just gp back to the bar and maybe you will see him there!"

When I leave the house I feel a little strange. That was anti climatic! It was as if Andrea was giving me permission to take her man. I think, "Where do I go from here? I have no idea of where these guys are at the moment. And its fricken weird that Andrea thinks i am after Travis! What the hell is wrong with her and where did she get that idea? Have the two of them talked about me?

I reluctantly decide that it is best to drive home. I start out driving slowly thinking that there must be some way of finding Kevin. "Where would he be tonight?" On my way home I knew that J.P. Mulligan’s would be off on the right hand side of the road as I pass it. I decides to take a quick look in the parking lot to see if I can see either Kevin’s or Travis’ truck.
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I am thrilled and a little uneasy when I see Jolleen’s green Toyota Corolla slow down on Hoboken Way. As she pulls in the driveway I think that I had better just hang out outside for at least a few minutes before going to the door with my gifts.
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Back at my condo I decide that I just need to relax,plop down on the couch in front of a long movie.and forget about men for a few hours. What a waste of time! I'm glad I came home! I give up! I make myself one last drink and start just to get comfortable when I hear a knock on my door.
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After knocking I realize that I now only have seconds before I am totally committed to the situation. I want nothing more than to be alone with a woman and to let things happen naturally, but the risk that she may not be as interested as I think she will be scares me. I really want to forget about the image of seeing Andrea with that other guy this afternoon! But, I really barely even know Jolleen, and we have so far only conversed a few times at work. I then start to worry that she may even have a date coming over later.
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I open the door and smile warmly. "Travis! Where have you been tonight? i have been looking for you. I found your wallet. I was even at your house!"
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I don't answer. I'm not concerned about those things. I slowly walk inside and look for a place to set down the bag of items that I have purchased for this woman. I then quietly say, "I have a few things for you."
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I respond quietly, "What is this?" After shutting the door I lock eyes with him and say. "I'm sorry Travis,I think you have this wrong."