Page 15 of Consultation with Dad's Best Friend
A man clears his throat and speaks. “Hi Cay, thanks for taking my call. I think I could use some advice on relationships.”
Wait. He sounds familiar. “Sure, I’ll try. First of all, how may I address you?”
“Oh, you can call me Mike.”
Holy shit! Mike? I’m so shocked I forget how to speak. Is this real, or am I dreaming?
“What exactly is your issue, Mike?” My confidence dwindles a bit.
“Well, you see. I’m, uh, interested in a girl I can’t have.”
I almost gasp. He istheMike, for sure. Is he talking about me?
I take a deep breath before speaking again, “Why do you think you can’t have her?”
“Because she’s off-limits. She’s my best friend’s daughter.”
Hi Mike.“Why does it make her off-limits?” I say, trying to slow down my breathing. “It’s not against the law to date your best friend’s daughter.”
“But it’s wrong,” says Mike. “I’ve watched her grow up from a little angel.”
“That only makes it sweeter,” I say, feeling a clench in my stomach. “But since when have your feelings for her changed?”
“Two years ago when she was about sixteen. At her dad’s wedding. She was so stunning. All I could think of was how to take her… it was horrifying.”
Oh my. I recall his smoldering eyes that day.I was also thinking about the ways you could take me.
“Why was it horrifying?” I say with a lump in my throat. “I think it’s beautiful.”
Mike didn’t notice the change in my voice. “No. It’s wrong. I felt like a pervert. I couldn’t face her for two years because I was afraid I would do something despicable to her. But she’s staying with me now, and every day is torture to me. I try to avoid her, but it isn’t easy. She’s a passionate girl. I almost lost control last night.”
Tears roll down my cheeks. I didn’t know about Mike’s emotional struggle. I thought he was a tough guy guided by principles. “Maybe you should give her a chance,” I say, losing my professional voice.
He pauses for a moment. “To tell the truth, I’m feeling insecure as well. I’m way too old for her and might not deserve her. She’s all gaga over me now, but it’s just a crush. One day she’ll wake up finding me disgusting. She’ll get tired of me and leave me for a younger fellow. And I can’t even blame her because she deserves a man her age who can share a future with her.”
“It’s not just a crush!” My voice squeaks a bit because I forget who I am for a moment. Realizing my mistake, I clear my throat and resume my Cay voice. “I mean, I’m sure it isn’t just a crush. Since you’ve known her for a long time, it must be something deeper. She probably trusts you and admire you as well. And I’m afraid I have to disagree with you on the age issue, Mike. Age is just a number. Besides, many young men are immature. She might end up pregnant by some irresponsible jerk and spend her life to pay for her mistake. I’ve known too many cases like that in my two years’ consulting career. Many girls lose their heads to their high-school sweethearts who turn out to be useless wimps who are unable to support themselves, not to mention a family.”
I’m just a bit excited when it comes to the topic, and my agitation alarms my cat.
She jumps onto my lap first and then onto my keyboard. She puts her paw on the screen and cries, “Meow!”
She looks so cute that I laugh as I remove her from my laptop. “Stop it, Blondie!”Oops. I cover my mouth.
A silence follows.
I clear my throat. “Err, Mike, are you still there? I’m sorry, it’s… err… my cat.”
“Yes, I heard her,” he says. “And what’s her name again?”
“Her name is…err…B…Blanca, like in Casa Blanca, you know? She’s a T-Turkish Van… with white fur,” I lie. “Do you like cats, Mike? Hello?”
Shit. He’s hung up. Oh God. What does it mean? Has he found out who Cay really is? Is he mad at me? Have I blown my chance again?
I’m horrified at the thought. The man just opened his heart and exposed his vulnerability to me because he thought I was a stranger and a professional. If he knew he spoke to me, an amateur, and the source of his dilemma instead, then he would for sure be embarrassed. What the hell have I done? What am I going to do?
For a moment, I sit where I am, unable to come up with a solution. And then, I spring to my feet and grab my suitcase. I have to get out of here before Mike comes back. I can’t face him.
Chapter 16
