Chapter 4
Four
Thomas
I check my phone again before shaking my head and closing the app. For the sixth time. I just can’t bring myself to finish filling out the profile. Rather than torturing myself with that, I switch over to the forum post I made a few days ago and reread some of the comments.
DADvertising: Dating after a divorce can be really hard.
I’ve dipped my toes in the pool a few times, and I get how it can be out there.
If you feel like you’re ready to try, do it.
If you don’t like the idea of the apps, try going out to a local meet up for something you’re interested in.
It might be nice to have someone else around now that he’s getting more independent.
TeenDaddy: Hi there. I think it’s kind of cute that your son wants you to be happy.
Yeah, he went about it the wrong way, but he tried doing a nice thing.
Maybe try keeping that in mind if you ever try talking to him about that again.
Which, if you haven’t resolved everything — and it doesn’t sound like it — you should.
Personally, I mentally took dating off the table because I’m so worried about how my daughter would react that I kinda wish she would give me such a clear sign she’d support me finding a partner, so I feel like your son basically reassuring you he’d be fine with you dating is such a great thing for him to do.
Maybe just keep putting yourself out there — in whichever way you feel comfortable — and if it leads to a date tell your son about it. He might be insecure about the possibility of you holding out on dating because of him.
After reading the lovely advice from the comments on my forum post, I’ve come to the conclusion that maybe a dating app isn’t a terrible idea, but I have no idea what I’m doing.
It’s not like I actually know how to get out there and meet people.
Crystal was my only serious relationship, and a lot’s changed since high school.
I had a few hookups right after the divorce, but I know that’s not the route I want to go.
I did some dating app research to find out which app would be a good fit to find other people looking for a relationship rather than a one-night stand.
It led to me steering away from a popular app called Poundr and settling on one called Crush.
It has decent reviews, but despite all the logic behind my choice, I keep choking when it comes to hitting the button to finish out my profile and put it out there to find matches.
“Taylor and her chihuahua are back,” Christine says as she walks out of the waiting room.
“What did he eat this time?” I ask. The chihuahua is a frequent visitor of the clinic. Always getting into something.
She checks the paper on her clipboard, reading without looking up. “A few bars of artisanal soap.”
My hand goes to my forehead, massaging my temples. It’s a wonder that dog is still alive after all the nonfood items it’s eaten. “Alright, treatment room two is free. I’ll be in there in a few minutes.”
It’s probably for the best that Christine interrupted. I should be focused on work, not dating. Soap. I might have to induce vomiting followed by activated charcoal … I go over the possibilities in my head before taking the paperwork from Christine and heading to the treatment room.
“Hello again, Taylor and Coco. I hear you’ve been eating things you shouldn’t again.
” I direct my attention to the small dog inside the pet carrier on the treatment table.
My hands go to the lock as I coax Coco out of the carrier.
He’s not looking great. There’s already a trail of drool and stomach bile at his muzzle.
Work as a vet isn’t always glamorous, but I’m positive that Coco will get through this.
The next few hours keep my mind off dating apps. I’m elbow deep in dog puke and spaying a cat. Christine wipes the back of her hand across her forehead as we finish the surgery on Pickles. “So what do you have planned for the evening?” she asks. “Eric is with his mom this week, right?”
“He is, but I’m afraid my plans are a pint of Ben I was never much of a bowler. I’m clumsy at best when it comes to sports.”
“There are other options if you’re looking to pick up a new hobby. You could take cooking classes or join a book club,” she suggests.
It’s not a terrible idea, but I still find myself shrugging in response. “I’ll think about it, thanks.”
We finish up without much talking and even though I don’t really intend to take Christine up on her idea to get out there and socialize, I’m starting to wonder if I’m delaying the inevitable.
I shake my head to clear my mind as I lock up the office and head for my car.
That’s when my phone chimes with a new message.
Crystal: Can you pick up a book for Eric? He needs it for school, and I can’t make the trip.
Me: Sure.
Crystal texts back the name of the book, and I reroute my trip in my head as I head for the bookstore.
I’m almost surprised to see a decent amount of people in the store considering the late hour.
Now, where to find this book? It’d probably help if I knew more about it, but all I have is the title and author that Crystal sent me.
I head for the YA section, figuring that’s a good bet, and look through the books to find the author.
I’m so occupied with looking that I don’t notice my surroundings until I bump into someone.
“I’m so sorry,” I say as I turn and find myself face to face with Eric’s teacher. “Mr. Gutierrez.”
“It’s fine; I probably should have been paying more attention.” He glances around me, and it takes me a moment to realize he’s looking for Eric.
“I’m by myself. Actually, I’m looking for a book for Eric for one of his classes.”
“What book? Maybe I can help,” he offers.
“The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.”
Mr. Gutierrez turns to look at the shelves again, his hand gliding across the wood as he finds and pulls out the book. “Here you go.”
“Thank you, Mr.—”
“Angelo, please. No need to be so formal. Especially when Eric isn’t even here.”
“Right,” I agree. “So, what brings you to the bookstore?”
“The exquisite refreshments, of course.” Angelo holds up a paper cup with his other hand, and I manage a laugh. “Book club. Every week I get together with friends, and we chat about the book we’re all reading together.”
Christine’s words are coming back to haunt me. My luck that there would actually be a book club meeting tonight. That, along with the internet strangers’ advice to try a local meet up, has me thinking that karma has it out for me.
“You wouldn’t want to join us, would you? We’re always looking for new members.” He offers mistaking my hesitation for interest.
“I wouldn’t be caught up with the reading,” I tell him, but Angelo just smiles.
“Not a problem. It’s great timing actually. We just finished our last book, so most of the meeting will be discussing which book we want to do next. I mean, if you don’t have anywhere you need to be.”
I recognize that he’s giving me an out, but maybe it’s for the best if I go with him. After all, what were the chances that I’d run into Angelo at a bookstore after Christine was bugging me to do something social?
“Sure, I’m in.”