Page 4 of A Highland Gargoyle's Lucky Star
Me:Shit day. Need a good, hard fuck. When can you come over?
I wait for a while, frowning as my screen shows the message has been read but I get no response. This isn’t late for Matt. In fact, it’s right about the time he’s usually getting his night started.
Me:You there?
After what feels like ten minutes but is probably only two, I see the dots dancing as he types out a response.
Fuck yeah, I’m gonna get fucked!
Matt:Hey. So here’s the thing. I kinda met someone.
Me:I don’t want a threesome. Come see me after you’re done.
Matt:No, I MET someone. As in, it’s serious.
Me:Shut the fuck up.
My mind’s reeling. Horndog Matt of the “monogamy is for suckers” camp can’t possibly be serious with someone. Right?
Matt:Dude. It’s true love or something. I’ve never felt like this before. We’ve got a love nest happening and everything.
Before I can even come up with a response another text chimes.
Matt:Sorry, man. I promised to commit to my guy so you and I need to end things. It was fun while it lasted. Have a good life!
I frantically try to send him a reply only to discover I’ve not only been dumped but summarily blocked as well.
Fuck. My. Life.
As I trudge along the sidewalk, I ponder yet again what I could have done in a past life to deserve this. I must have been a truly heinous piece of shit. Nothing else explains why I’m plagued by one bad thing after another. And today has been a doozy.
I’m zero for three so far.
Dream crushed? Check.
Job lost and destitution on the horizon? Check.
Left for someone else without so much as a farewell fuck? Check.
I’m sure there’s a country music song out there that would fit this moment perfectly right about now.
My wandering, woebegone mind comes to a halt and I pull up sharp to blink in surprise at a storefront I’ve never noticed before.
An ornate black sign with elegant red lettering above the door proclaims it to be The Magic Shop.
I glance around me, frowning. This is still the same old street I normally walk when heading home, but I’ve never seen this place before. The storefront I recall was boarded up and vacant anytime I passed by, but now it’s like it’s been revitalized overnight.
The exterior is dark and mysterious, but also strangely alluring. Soft, golden light emanates from the front windows, and a red neonOpensign glows in welcome.
My curiosity piqued, I find myself drawn toward the door.
It’s going on midnight now, and I’m surprised that the place is open. Sure, this is Chicago, but at such a late hour there usually isn’t much open in the area besides bars and convenience stores. It’s the only establishment on the block that’s got its lights on right now.
I can’t put my finger on it, but something about the place is practically calling to me.
A cool October breeze rushes by and I shiver. It wouldn’t hurt to stop in for a minute, just to check it out—right?
My entire body tingles with awareness and before I fully realize what I’m doing, I’m heading inside.
