Summer time in Spokane is Magical. The days are long, filled with trips
to the lakes and patio beers. The nights, balmy and sweet. There is something to be said about a cold
drink on a warm night. It’s my most favorite thing about Spokane and it always
seems to go by so fast.
When I had my first apartment by myself I thought I was pretty hot
stuff. If I saw something (or some one) I liked, it was mine. In this case… it
semi- backfired.
I frequented a bar, The Blue Spark, during this summer of
independence. I flirted with bartenders to get stiff drinks (never free…wah?) I
made friends with everyone that passed by and danced with the live music. I was
a wild child, in the best sense.
One night, this tall, statuesque man caught my eye. No ring on finger, I
decided to approach.
Intercepted.
The-short-and-kind-of-awkward-friend snagged me before I could flash my
‘take-no-prisoners’ smile at my eye candy.
“Okay… You’re actually quite funny… But why do you keep reapplying
chapstick?” I thought to myself.
He kept the conversation going as I tried to catch the eye of his
cousin. J* (name withheld) was in town from California for his cousins
graduation. Law School.
Ding Ding Ding.
Also… they were celebrating his cousins’ recent engagement. Uhhhhh….
Damnit.
Fine. So I knew my chances with the cousin were out the window… but J was actually fun to talk to and bought me a beer. (Is that all it takes??)
Later in the night he invited me to their family’s lake cabin for the
weekend.
Unfortunately, I had to work the next day but decided to head out for a
few hours to see what he was all about.
The next day I headed out to the lake to find the MOST BEAUTIFUL home
equipped with a huge deck, fireplace, boats and a cooler full of beers.
Oh, hello beautiful.
I got along with everyone in the family. They were SO interested in me
and my life. So sweet and kind. Telling me even if things don’t work out with J I was still invited in the summers to come on the boat.
It was a dream.
The hours passed and I had to leave for work.
I left. And he left home for Cali.
Now friends, I really built this up… right?
You would think this is a beginning to some sort of fairy tale.
.
.
.
.
Do you know me AT ALL?
C’mon.
Here’s where is gets good.
We plan a trip for me to fly to southern Cali to visit him for a few
days.
Yes I plan to stay with him.
Yes I know what I big risk this was.
Luckily I had a back up plan
One of my best friends, Taylor, lived close. If need be, I could escape
with her.
Foreshadowing, anyone??
I fly in to Cali.
Oh… You can’t pick me up from the airport?
Good start, buddy.
Taylor drops me off with J and he is SO tired from a long day at
work we decide to just head home.
Awesome.
He asks me if I’m ready for bed.
Ummm. No.
I’m angry and wide awake.
So I stay up and watch TV. I end up falling asleep on the couch.
The next morning he gets “called in to work.” So I get to spend the day
by myself.
Honestly this was probably the best day ever.
I explored the little shops around Redondo Beach, sat on a patio and
drank coffee, tanned on the beach and went surfing with a local. Honestly… I
didn’t want to hang out with J. My view on him changed completely.
That weekend, J actually tried to pass me off on one of his friends...so after that
shady move, I planned my escape. (Of course I am making this sound WAY more
dramatic than it actually was, mom )
We planned on meeting up with my friend Tay at some point and it worked
out so I had J drop me off. Phew… that was easy! Oh wait… my luggage was
still at his place.
Hmmm. Oh well.
Taylor is a guaranteed good time. Always happy, always smiling. Always.
As soon as I walked into the house I was greeted with a big hug and a
margarita.
Exactly what I needed.
All conversation with J was through text at this point.
And it was pretty spiteful.
I’m not sure what flipped his switch.
Maybe it was the fact that I didn’t instantly climb into bed with him,
or that I actually had a personality.
I know… I know…
All know is… he was a real dud. He isn’t even the one I wanted in the
first place. So that’s what I get.
The moral here, because there is always a moral, never settle for
second.
Second place is the first loser.
