Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Khai
ITBeastMan: The usual Sunday chores. Hbu?
Spicysugar: Same. Except I worked yesterday and have tomorrow off. I like having a weekday off.
ITBeastMan: Makes sense. What do you do?
I minimized the messages and clicked over to her profile, scanning the information and refreshing my memory. But it didn’t list her occupation. In fact, there wasn’t much there, besides a few pictures and her name, age, and location.
Spicysugar: I’m a hairdresser. Saturdays are one of my busiest days.
ITBeastMan: That’s more exciting than me. I work in IT, so you know, computer nerd and all that.
Spicysugar: A nerd, hmm? I actually like that.
ITBeastMan: Really? Can’t say I hear that too often, haha. But we’re the best. Funny, loyal…
Spicysugar: You sure do sell yourself well. So what’s a good-looking man like you doing on a match making website? Or are you ordering yourself a bride?
ITBeastMan: The whole mail order bride thing freaks me out, but I’d love to get to know someone. Invite them over for a candlelight dinner. Wait, that’s kind of like ordering a bride, no?
Spicysugar: LOL kind of. Except the whole marriage part.
ITBeastMan: Dating didn’t seem to work when I tried putting myself out there, going to bars and trying my damnedest to flirt only to end up looking like a fool. I sort of gave up after a while. Then I got on here, but I haven’t had much luck. At least until tonight.
Spicysugar: I turned your luck around hmm? So tell me more about yourself. I want to know everything.
I cracked open a can of beer and stretched my fingers.
Where did I begin? I started from when I was little, growing up with my parents and older sister.
We lived in the city though the small-town countryside always called to me.
After graduating IT school, I bought mt own cabin in Appleridge and lived out my dream of finally living in a small town.
I liked being sociable and around others, so I didn’t barricade myself in my cabin and instead explored the local bars and hang out spots. I met up with my friends from the city and the new friends I made, enjoyed beers, talked the latest financial news, and ate shitty food.
Otherwise I spent my time at home, working, cooking a clean diet, reading up on the latest financial news. I wasn’t getting any younger and I wanted a family. A special someone to share my life with.
Spicysugar: There’s no way you’re still single. You sound perfect.
ITBeastMan: No one is perfect. I hate coffee
Spicysugar: What? How could you?!
ITBeastMan: See now you might not like me anymore
Spicysugar: LOL nope not scared away yet but I have to say my life is more boring. I only have one close friend, don’t speak to my parents often, and spend most of my time working. I’d like to slow down and enjoy life with someone, but I really don’t see it happening for me
ITBeastMan: It’s never too late to find love. That’s why my mom always told my sister and I
Spicysugar: What is your sister like?
ITBeastMan: She’s older than me by a couple of years, sometimes quite bossy but she’s a good sister. I can’t complain. Do you have any siblings?
Bubbles formed next to her username but disappeared quickly before starting again. I sat forward in my chair, eager for her answer, for anything from her.
Wes only chatted for the past fifteen minutes, and I already felt like I knew her my entire life. Who was this woman?
It was sheer luck that I even noticed her message tonight. I had decided to log in after abandoning it for months, annoyed with not getting anywhere. But I gave it a shot, and her message popped up instantly.
Now I couldn’t stop talking to her.
Spicysugar: I had a younger sister. Unfortunately she died in a car accident two summers ago.
My breath released from my mouth in a large whooshing gush. Oh no…
ITBeastMan: I’m so sorry. That must be tough.
Spicysugar: Thank you. It is. Tonight was especially hard because I was cleaning out her storage unit. Going through her things is like ripping a scab off a wound, open and raw.
ITBeastMan: I can imagine it’s painful. I have yet to experience a strong grief, but I saw my buddy go through some intense shit. He always said that grief came in waves. Some days small and manageable, other days large and uncontrollable.
Spicysugar: That describes it perfectly. I just miss her. We were close. And my parents were checked out before, now they’re on a different planet
ITBeastMan: It changes everything doesn’t it?
Spicysugar: More than you could’ve ever thought
We continued talking until the morning hours. Even though I knew I had work at seven am, even though I missed my favorite Sunday night financial show, nor did I take my shower or brush my teeth.
Instead I carried my laptop into the bed and laid down, our messages pinging away endlessly.
ITBeastMan: I don’t want to fall asleep, but it might happen
Spicysugar: Ha me too I guess I should let you go. You do have work tomorrow
ITBeastMan: I’d rather spend the day talking to you. Maybe I’ll play hooky. I never have before
Spicysugar: Uh oh I’m turning you into a bad boy
ITBeastMan: You know you love it
Spicysugar: Maybe…
Sleep wasn’t happening. I was too much on a buzz from talking to her. I clicked on her profile again, but she didn’t list a name besides her username.
ITBeastMan: I’ve enjoyed talking to you. What’s your real name?
Spicysugar: Ember
ITBeastMan: Nice to meet you, Ember. I’m Khai.
Spicysugar: Khai. I like that.
ITBeastMan: I like you.
Spicysugar: I like you too.
A dull night turned into the best night of my life.