Dry Spells

Things at work have been going somewhat smoothly. Steve and I are both currently reading through past policy guidelines and laying out the structure of what the newspaper’s will be. He also replaced all non-vegan items in the break room with vegan alternatives. Veronica was not enthused but didn’t want me to use the money to replace everything so I decided that I’m going to be in charge of stock for the break room instead of Steve and I’ll replace the vegan things with non-vegan things as they run out….which will probably be forever. No one really likes the vegan bagels or the packets of texturized vegetable protein to sprinkle on top of them instead of cream cheese. Except for Steve, he can’t stop raving about them.

Zoey and I were hanging out at her place for awhile when she asked me about Sean.

“You seem a little more relaxed since the movie. Did you talk to Sean?”

“I didn’t tell him about the Kevin thing but we did talk and we’ve decided to just let things go in whatever direction they end up veering into.”

“That’s good. That’s what you wanted, right?”

“Well, I mean, I’d like to be having sex but this is a nice compromise. How about you? Still having that dry spell?”

“Yes, but that might be changing soon.”

“Do tell.” I said grabbing a pillow and putting it on my lap. I leaned forward as Zoey started turning redder than her hair.

“Well, I met this guy at work. He’s a photographer’s lighting assistant that does freelance work for our magazine. He’s super cute. He’s blonde, fit, tall…”

“What’s his name?”

“Wesley. He’s been hitting on me for awhile and I finally accepted an invitation for dinner this weekend.”

“Why didn’t you accept right away Zoey?”

“Because, Faith. Guys that look like him don’t date women who look like me. I’m not tan, I’m overweight,” Zoey put a hand up to silence my objections, “Faith, I have a better body image of myself than every single model I’ve ever worked with, including Elise. I have a better body image than you or Anna do and I have since I was a teenager. I love the way I look but I’m not going to ignore the snorts of laughter or judgmental stares that come when I order a cheeseburger. I eat more healthfully than you, Anna, and Elise and I’m still fat, I work out constantly and I’m still fat. It’s just the way I am and I’m fine with that, but men like Wesley don’t. Men who look like Wesley will be in a relationship with me for about a month before suggesting I eat a carrot or just stop eating altogether. Frankly…I don’t want to deal with that.”

“Then why bother to say yes?”

“I don’t know, there’s something different about him. When we’re on shoots he doesn’t look at the models, he looks at me, he shoots me smiles, and he asks me my opinion. At first I thought he’d get bored with me once he realized he was surrounded by thin, beautiful women walking around in bikinis, but he hasn’t, so I relented.”

“Maybe he won’t be like other shallow guys, Zoey. Going into the relationship expecting it to go badly won’t help the chances of it working out.”

“You’re right.” She said getting up for another bowl of cheese popcorn, “Do you want some more?”

“Yes please,” I followed her into the kitchen, “For what it’s worth, I think you’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever met, inside and out.” I gave Zoey a hug from behind while she filled our bowls with popcorn.

“You’re just saying that because I’m feeding you.” Zoey tried to hide the fact that she was blushing when we went back into her living room to watch the new programs for Shark Week this year.

(P.S Today is the author's 22nd birthday!)