the human condition

Click HERE to read the first part of this story if you haven't.

The pacific sun is starting to set and the sounds of the birds are finally subsiding. The cool Hawaiian breeze makes its way into my living room and nightfall becomes apparent... but the girl is still here.

My prior attempts to end this... situation, has failed and I decided to just accept her company. My thoughts moved from "get this bitch out" to "let's see how far this will go." Intrigue flooded my mind, absent now the thought of escape. I shut off the tv, having just finished a movie. The selection was a hard choice... I usually default to a comedy, but she wanted to watch the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. As if she needed inspiration on how to butcher me later.

We compromise... Zombieland.

We didn't talk much during the movie. But then again, I'm not used to spending this much time with a girl the day after. She pressed up against me as the movie started, and as if my mind did not control my body, I opened my arms and she leaned on me.

"Are you hungry yet?" She asks looking up at me and for the first time, at least to my recollection, I realize her magnetic brown eyes. Knowing that she probably heard my stomach grumble throughout the movie, I decide to just agree with her. "Perfect," she exclaims. I wish her enthusiasm would rub off on me. Meal selection was easier than picking a movie. We both love pho, so I knew exactly where to take her.

We never made it there.

As I go to my room to recover my wallet and her clothes, a new thought enters my head, "Am I starting to like this girl?"

I hear the sound of a cell phone ring and she quickly answers. She walks out to my lanai but I can still clearly hear her from my room...

"Hello?"
"No, I'm at a friend's house."
"Maybe later, I'm kinda busy right now."
"No baby, I can't tonight."
[Long Pause]
"Don't come here."
"I'll just call you later, bye."

"Fuck," I thought. "Dont come here?"
"How the hell would the person know where 'here' is?"

My friends would argue that I shouldn't give a damn if I'm the other guy, as long as I'm the one getting some. However, lots of complicated thoughts swirl in my brain as I slowly make my way back to her.

Find out how it all went down, click HERE
title quote, Anberlin

I woke up with a stranger's breath on my face. The smell of alcohol still rich. The taste of cigarettes lingering. Who is this girl? I think.

She wakes. She stirs loudly, grunting as she pulls herself up, making no effort to cover her naked body. She stumbles to my bathroom and to my surprise turns on my shower. She yells "I'm hungry," before she shuts the door. I lay confused, wondering if I knew this person, but I know I don't. Reluctant to leave a stranger at my home alone, I decide to make a simple breakfast. I don't make much effort to create a nice meal, but I think any effort is too much. As I place the plates on my counter, I hear my shower turn off. She opens the door and walks towards me, my towel wrapped around her. Not recognizing the person before me causes some concern, but her smile at the meager meal I've prepared lessens the anxiety. The dialogue we exchange is common. As she talks, I repeat exit strategies in my head overlapped with failed attempts to recall memories from the previous night.

Never mix soju and whisky, I don't even know what occasion would promote the mixture of such opposing beverages. However, the evidence of binging becomes irrefutable as I recover empty bottles scattered around my living space. She does nothing to help clean or recollect. My opinion of her is not improving.

To end the silence, I explain I have some errands to run. She doesn't get the hint. "I see you have a coffee maker for show, pick up some ground on the way back," she replies. "Is this girl serious?" I thought. "So what if I don't have coffee for its maker."

Driving away I make up errands in my head. I return some time later hoping nothing is missing, other than her. Entering my place, the smell of shin ramen infiltrates my nose. She greets me in my newly bought Jeremy Lin jersey, takes the coffee ground and makes use of the neglected machine. She instructs me to sit explaining my food is almost ready.

As if the unexpected meal wasn't enough, my place is tidy. My laundry running, bed made. "Who is this girl?" I ask myself again. I consider concealing a weapon for defense, movies like the American Psycho and Silence of the Lambs runs through my mind.

In an attempt to deter premature death, I ask her if she has any plans for today. But as the words left my lips I realized she might misunderstand my intention. Which, she did. "Nothing, what did you have in mind?" she enthusiastically responds.

"Fuck."

Click HERE for part 2
title quote, Anberlin

I do truly miss NYC and everything about it that makes it a great city to live in. Everyday had the potential for something ridiculous to happen and that was something I thoroughly enjoyed. I definitely miss those five dollar lamb gyros and the squares from my corner pizzeria. The handball courts, the diversity, and the fact that you can walk to anything are among the things I miss the most. I'd say though its the people that make any city great, and NYC has quite an impressive spectrum of people. From those I call my dear friends to the obw on buses. What a great city, I hope to visit soon.