Chapter 5: Still Looking for the Right Woman

Life was pretty much back to normal only I was now an adult. My first night back to work I saw Linda in the morning. She laughed when she saw me.

"Sorry about Sylvia. I heard Earl came home early."

"Why didn't you tell me she was married, I could have gotten beaten up."

"She plays around a lot on Earl. I just thought you might like to get laid on your birthday. According to Sylvia you did, you just had a quick exit. How did you get home?"

"A police officer saw me walking and stopped me and asked to see my driver's license. I told him it was my birthday and I didn't want to drink and drive. I did say my ride home found a woman he wanted to have sex with and I didn't want to be a third wheel. The officers were nice enough and drove me home."

"I'm sorry Joey, can I make it up to you?"

"No, you have a boyfriend now. I'm staying away from married women and those in relationships. I'm a lover, not a fighter." With that said I headed for home.

It was now May and the school year was coming to a close. I saw Mary and Nancy getting in the car. Mary told me that her son, Robert had called and said he was going to open the pool on Saturday and was wondering if I would help him. He told Mary he liked me and I was a good worker and on time unlike his sister and her husband. It made me laugh.

I told her I would be glad to help and just to let me know what time. They went on to school and I headed up to my apartment for a good days sleep.

After getting home on Saturday morning I lay down for a few hours. I set my clock so I could get up and help Robert open the pool. He really seemed like a nice guy and always concerned about his mother. He was glad that she met Henry and had a man in her life. He might not have liked me so much if he ever found out I had been intimate with his mother.

I had to laugh to myself when he said, "That's probably why she was so happy at the time we closed down the pool. I hadn't seen her that happy for a long time."

Her dating Henry wasn't for a few months after we were together. I still missed being with her but we are still good friends and she is my landlady.

I met Robert in the back yard and he explained to me what all we had to do to get the pool up and running. When I asked him if Kim and Larry were coming over to help he just laughed.

"They're always late. They will be here this afternoon for a family barbeque. I figured we would be finished before they even showed up. By the way, if mom forgot to mention it, you're invited to the barbeque."

We worked hard taking off the winter cover and hooking up all the pipes and filters. Before we knew it we were adding water to the pool. Robert said it would be about two days before it would be warm enough to swim in. We did put on a solar cover to help heat it up.

Just about the time we were finished and were putting the winter cover away Kim and Larry showed up. Robert just laughed.

"Why didn't you wait for us and Larry could have helped you?" replied Kim.

"You know me Kim, I like to just get things done. You and Larry can do the grilling today," Robert looked over at me and smiled.

Mary came out and said, "Joey, I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you about the cookout. You are coming and I won't take no for an answer."

Robert looked over at me with a grin and I looked at Mary and said, "Yes Mom!" We all laughed. They were like a family to me. They have never treated me like an outsider. I wish there were more people in the world like them.

I went up to my apartment and cleaned up. Robert and Larry were setting up the barbeque grill. I noticed some other people arriving that I didn't know. Henry had come and he and Nancy were setting up chairs in the back yard.

When I went downstairs Larry had begun grilling steaks and burgers. An older man came out and Robert introduced him as his Uncle Lee. He told me he was one of Mary's brothers.

"Nice to meet you Sir. I'm Joey, I'm renting Robert's old apartment."

"Mary has mentioned you. She says you're almost like a second son to her. Why don't you go inside and introduce yourself to my wife Claire and daughter Ariel. They've been wanting to meet you."

When I stepped into the kitchen Mary introduced me to Claire. I walked in the living room and Nancy said, "There you are! Joey, this is Ariel, my favorite cousin. Ariel this is Joey my second brother," she laughed.

"Nice to meet you Ariel," I must have been thinking about the name and it must have showed.

"I wasn't named after the mermaid," Ariel said and was smiling.

"I wasn't thinking of the cartoon character but the daughter on the TV show 'Medium.' Only I think you're much prettier. God I'm sorry, I wasn't hitting on you I was just being honest."

Both girls laughed. "Joey's a bit on the timid side," said Nancy.

"Thank you for the compliment Joey. I appreciate it," replied Ariel.

I was nervous now and not sure what to do or say. "Maybe we can talk later," I said. "I think I'll go help Larry and Robert, outside." I smiled and headed out the back door.

Damn! She was so pretty and young. I wondered how old she was. I figured maybe Robert would tell me about her.

When I stepped outside Robert handed me a beer. "So, did you meet Ariel?" asked Robert.

"Yes, she seems really nice. How old is she?" I asked.

Robert had a grin on his face. "Ok, Joey, on a scale of one to ten how would you rate her looks?"

"Umm, Robert I don't think it's a fair question. I just met her." He could tell I was nervous.

"Joey, you're a guy. We all rate women in our mind, it's an automatic thought. I always thought Ariel was a good looking girl, too bad she is my younger cousin. We are a loving family and Ariel has always been a sweetie. So how would you rate her looks?"

I shook my head. "Robert, she's at least a twelve in my book."

Robert laughed when I said that. "Just so you know Joey, I know she looks like a teenager but she's twenty-two."

"What! You've got to be kidding. She's so damn cute. I'm sorry Robert, I didn't mean to swear but she's the prettiest girl I've seen in a long time. How come I haven't met her before?"

"She's been away at college. She has one month to go before she graduates. She has been going the year around so she can finish sooner."

"What courses has she been taking? You have the smartest family I know. Everyone seems to be a professional something. Mary said her brother was a pharmacist, it that Lee?"

"Yes, Uncle Lee is a pharmacist. Aunt Claire is a teacher so Ariel gets her brains honestly. She's in the nursing program at State. She works part-time in the hospital as part of her education. After graduation she is promised a job at one of the local clinics. She really is intelligent. You need to go talk to her, hell, you're close to the same age."

"Robert, I'm afraid she's out of my league. Girls like her don't usually talk to guys like me."

"Bullshit, you just need confidence. Believe me Ariel is a great person and a good judge of character. She hates phonies and I'm sure you're not one."

"Robert, how come you haven't gotten married yet?" I asked.

"Haven't met the right woman. I've been out with a lot of women and have a pretty good life. I figure someday I might meet the right woman. I just let nature take its course. I have been dating a woman at work but I'm not ready to introduce her to mom yet."

Henry's kids showed up to meet Mary's family. Everyone seemed so nice. I thought I would hate Henry for taking Mary away from me but he was a really good person. Even his kids talked with me. I felt like part of a big happy family.

I was sitting outside at one of the tables eating when Ariel came over and asked to join me. Needless to say, I said yes. The more I looked at her the prettier she seemed to get. A blond ponytail, dimples that showed every time she smiled and by what I could see she must work out. I did my best not to stare at her body.

"So tell me about yourself," said Ariel.

"What do you want to know. Where I grew up, went to school, where I work?"

"Anything you want to tell me. My cousins and Aunt Mary seem to really like you. Believe me when I say they don't take to just anyone. Don't get me wrong, they treat everybody great but they treat you like family, it perked my interest."

"So what are you going to tell me about yourself. We need a two sided conversation here," I replied.

"Sounds fair, I tell you whatever you want to know," said Ariel.

I went first and told her about my family being in the accident. She had tears in her eyes and grabbed my hand and held on to me for a few minutes. I explained how I was raised by my aunt and uncle and went on my own after I graduated.

I even told her about my paper routes and working at the supermarket. I explained how I was put on permanently and really enjoyed my job. I never went into my love life.

"Ok, your turn, tell me about yourself."

She told me a short version of her life.

"I'm the youngest of the kids in our family. I have two brothers who went to college and have since moved away. They are both professional people and are married with families. I guess I'm overly spoiled being the only daughter and also the youngest.

"I've had a pretty easy life but a good one. My parents have been over protective of me but that's how it is when you're a girl and the youngest. I've been raised by wonderful parents who taught me to treat everyone with respect. I try to do that but it's not always easy. There are some real jerks out there."

I looked at her and she seemed so nice. She was short, probably five feet tall and the shape of a teenage cheerleader. It was hard to believe she was twenty-two.

"Would you like to go for a walk and finish telling me about yourself? I feel a little jittery just sitting here," I asked.

"Sure, I'll let mom know so they won't wonder where we are." She came back out and said, "Ready to go."

"Do you always tell you parents where you're going?" I asked.

"I do when I'm home. It's common courtesy, I don't need permission."

As we walked she continued her story about her life.

"I've always liked school. I joined about everything I could. In high school I sang in choir, played soft ball and volleyball. I belonged to a number of clubs, like the Spanish club, and even the chess club among others. I liked taking part in activities.

"I was a cheerleader in both high school and college. I guess it was my way of exercising. It was a lot harder than it looks. It's more than just jumping up and down."

"I take it you were rather popular in school. I was just an average kid, I didn't play sports. I'm just not that much of an athlete."

"I don't like to brag so please don't see me that way. I'm just telling you about myself because you asked. Yes, I was popular and home coming queen my senior year in high school."

"I did receive some scholastic scholarships that help pay for my college tuition. Mom and Dad picked up the remainder of the tuition. I'm getting a nursing degree next month and will be working at the Wilshire clinic after that, so I will be living at home."

God, talk about complete opposites. I was almost sad walking with her. It was one of those times where I could fall in love just talking to a woman I could never be with. She had it all together, knew what she wanted and went after it.

"What's the matter Joey? Is something wrong? Did I say something to upset you? I know I talk too much but it's in my personality."

"No, it's not you, you're everything a man dreams about. Let me say you have it going on, you have it all together. I was just thinking about how opposite we are."

We headed back to the house. The barbeque was breaking up and everyone was saying their goodbyes. I had said goodbye to everyone but Ariel. She pulled me aside and asked me if I would do her a favor.

"Me, do you a favor? What do you need?" I asked.

"Ok, I know this is sudden and I understand if you say no."

"Come-on Ariel, what is it you want?" She was beautiful, but could she ever talk.

"I broke up with my boyfriend a couple of weeks ago. I have a wedding to go to next Saturday and I need a escort. I would feel funny going by myself. One of my college girlfriends is getting married. Would you go with me?"

"You want me to take you to a wedding, as your date?"

"Of course as my date. What else would you go as, my driver?" she asked.

"Please tell me what this is all about. Women like you don't date guys like me?"

"What kind of person do you think I am? It just so happens I kind of like you. I had a boyfriend, it didn't work out and we broke up. I'm going to the wedding of a good friend and would like you to go with me. Are you going or not? I'm not going to beg you."