Chapter 2
Two
Thomas
“I’m sorry he did what?”
Mr. Gutierrez slides a paper across the table, showing a screenshot of a dating profile with my name and picture.
“I made Eric delete the profile after I saved this picture, but I wanted you to see it for yourself. Now, I’m not sure exactly why Eric was making you a dating profile, but I did let him know that this was in no way an appropriate use of school computers. ”
I’m reading over the dating profile in front of me, only half listening to Eric’s teacher.
Inside, I don’t know whether to be pissed or embarrassed about this whole incident.
Why would Eric make me a dating profile?
Is it some kind of joke, or is he seriously that worried about my dating life?
Sure, it’s been a while since I’ve been on a date, but I don’t think that is any of the business of my fourteen-year-old.
“I’m sorry, you’re absolutely right. I’ll have a talk with Eric.
I have no clue why he would do this.” I look at the paper again, unable to help myself. “Can I keep this?”
“Feel free; the digital file has already been deleted. Eric is normally such a good student, so you can understand why we were concerned to find him engaged in this behavior. He’ll be spending tomorrow in the in-school suspension room, and hopefully after that we won’t have to have any more talks about appropriate uses of school property. ”
“I understand, and don’t worry, I’ll be having a talk with him.
” I don’t know what I’m going to say just yet, but we’re in for an awkward conversation.
“Thank you for talking with me, Mr. Gutierrez.” I stand up, mentally preparing myself to meet Eric’s gaze, but before I can leave the room, Mr. Gutierrez stops me with a hand on my shoulder.
“For the record, I know Eric has been through a lot the past couple of years. It can’t be easy for him to go through the divorce a few years back, and now his mom is remarrying. You might want to give him a chance to explain rather than jumping to punishment.”
I find myself looking over Eric’s teacher.
He can’t be much older than I am, maybe late thirties or early forties.
Still, he’s in good shape; not overly fit, but he doesn’t have a beer belly either.
His brown hair is neatly parted and swept over to one side with just a bit of curls, and his collared shirt looks recently pressed.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I tell him. I should probably be spending less time checking out Mr. Gutierrez and more figuring out what I’m going to say to Eric.
Mr. Gutierrez opens the door, and Eric stands up from the chair near the door, keeping his head down as he stares at the floor. “Come on, we’ll talk when we get home.”
Eric slams the door as he climbs into the passenger seat.
“I don’t get it, Eric. I’m the one who should be …” I sigh, trying to better collect my thoughts. “I don’t understand why you would do this. Was it some kind of joke?”
“You don’t get it,” Eric grunts.
“Then explain it to me.” I start the car, not waiting for an answer.
Eric crosses his arms, turning to look out the window, but he doesn’t say anything else during the drive home.
I don’t push it. I’m out of my depth here, and I don’t even know where to start. Why would Eric make a dating profile for me? It doesn’t make sense. Eric opens his door before I pull the key from the ignition. “Eric, wait!”
Eric reaches the middle of the living room before he turns around. “I just wanted to help. Mom is getting remarried soon, and I never see you with anyone. I just …” Eric shakes his head. “Forget it.”
“No, Eric, slow down. Look, I know I haven’t really been on many dates since your mom and I split up. I get how you might think it’s time for me to move on, but I mean it when I say that I’m happy. I’m not looking to date right now. And when I am, I’m fully capable of finding my own dates.”
“Sorry,” Eric says grudgingly. “Can I go to my room now? I have homework.”
“Yeah, I’ll let you know when dinner is ready.”
Eric leaves the room, heading for his bedroom, and I make my way to the kitchen.
I open the fridge to start dinner, but the beer is calling my name.
Tonight feels like a beer-worthy night. I grab a bottle, popping off the top and taking a long drink.
Closing the fridge, I pull out the folded-up dating profile and look it over again.
32. Bisexual. Looking for something real. Interests: animals, reading, cooking …
I have to give Eric some credit; the profile is actually pretty accurate. The one thing it’s missing is any mention of him. Why wouldn’t he include that I’m a father? My phone rings, catching me off guard until I see who’s calling. “Crystal, I hope your day is going better than mine.”
“I was going to let you know I’ll be late picking up Eric on Friday. We had to move the cake tasting back a couple of hours. What’s going on with you?”
“You’ll never guess what Eric was doing at school today. I got a call from his teacher because Eric was making a dating profile on his school computer.”
“A dating profile? He’s fourteen, and we already have to worry about him meeting girls online?”
“Not exactly. He made a dating profile for me. He was looking to set me up on a date.”
“For you?” she asks with a laugh.
“I don’t know. Maybe he wanted me to have a date to your wedding or something?” I guess.
“That wouldn’t be the worst thing. I could set you up with one of the bride’s maids if you want. Or would you prefer a groomsman?”
“Crys, I’m not interested. I’m pissed about this whole thing. Is it that big of a deal that I’m single?” I take another sip of beer.
“It’s been three years since the divorce, Tom. How many dates have you been on since then?”
“That’s not the point, Crys. I’m happy. Why do I have to have a boyfriend or girlfriend to make my life full?”
“Of course you don’t have to date someone, but wouldn’t you be happier with a partner?”
“So, Friday, what time should I expect you?” I change the topic.
“You’re deflecting,” Crystal accuses.
“What time?” I repeat.
“Six.”
“Great, I’ll see you then.” We say our goodbyes and hang up the phone, and I let out a sigh.
In the time it took for our conversation, I’ve drained my beer.
Guess I better make dinner now. I open the fridge; my eyes lazily scan the shelves as I consider my options.
I grab the ground beef. I’m pretty sure I’ve got a can of sloppy joe sauce and maybe even an onion I could chop up.
It’ll have to do for tonight. Connecting my phone to the Bluetooth speaker and hitting play on my playlist, I get to work.
It’s not the most complex dinner and probably not the healthiest, but it’s better than frozen TV dinners.
“Eric, dinner!” I call out as I turn off the stove.
I grab another beer as I set the table. Eric takes his spot without a word.
He doesn’t seem angry, but he also doesn’t say anything as he wolfs down his food.
“Thanks,” he says when he finishes, standing up with his plate.
I take my time finishing my food and my beer alone at the table.
Maybe it’s the beer talking, but I almost think Eric’s dating profile idea isn’t that outrageous.
It’s just that I don’t even know where to start when it comes to dating.
I was in high school when I started dating Crystal.
Hell, I was barely an adult when Eric was born.
Starting over in the dating scene now that I’m in my thirties is a totally foreign concept. Maybe I need more opinions.
I clean up my dishes and make my way to my bedroom.
I strip off my pants to get more comfortable and sit on the bed, holding my phone.
After doom-scrolling for a bit, I find myself on a forum site I used to use when Eric was younger.
I don’t know what prompts me to do it, but my thumbs hit the screen, typing out a post.
My son made me a dating profile
I don’t know how to react to this. My son(14) made me(32m) a dating profile today while he was at school.
On one hand, I’m pissed. I tried talking to him, and he said he just wanted to see me happy with someone.
Maybe I reacted too harshly, but is it any of his business who I date?
It’s been three years since his mom and I divorced, and I’ve only had a handful of dates in that time. Any advice?