An Invitation

“Dude, what're you doing for Memorial Day?” I pondered Scott's question for a moment. Should I be doing something that weekend? Do I need to be doing anything that weekend? I'm horrible at remembering my personal schedule. As a result, I said that I'd have to check with Sarah Jean.

“Who's that?” When I responded that she was my girlfriend, which still sounds weird to say for some reason, he reacted with surprise. “Really? Good for you man. Was starting to think Heather messed you up too much. Not that you didn't like girls or anything like that, just that you maybe didn't trust 'em anymore or somethin'. Know what I mean?”

I assured him that I did. “Alright then. You check with her and stop by if you can. You know where the home is now. It'd be nice to see you again, especially if you have a pretty gal with you. Then I don't haveta look at your ugly mug so much.”

I laughed at his joke and he chuckled knowing that I wasn't offended. How could I be offended? Sarah Jean's much easier to look at than me. I see myself in the mirror all the time and it's not at all interesting a visage. “Alright boss, see ya soon.”

What Do You Mean, Sarah Jean Who?

Chris was pondering this information. “Have I met this young lady?” I gave him a strange look. They'd met many times before, mostly at my house. After reminding him of that fact, he exclaimed “Oh, that Sarah Jean.”

I raised an eyebrow in surprise. “You thought I might know two redheaded young ladies with the somewhat unique name of Sarah Jean?”

Chris remained calm of voice but distressed in expression. “It should come as little surprise that I am not terribly familiar with what passes for popular names these days. My focus is elsewhere.”

“It's not like I'm dating a child here,” I protested.

“To me she might as well be,” he informed. “My perspective on such matters is different from yours. At my age you are but a babe yourself. Are you even thirty yet?”

“Soon enough,” I bemoaned.

“Yes, well, get back to me when you crest one hundred. We'll discuss age again at that point,” he expressed. After I teased him about being crotchety tonight, he admitted it was so. “I may well not be the best of company at the moment. Julia has not been well of late, nothing serious mind, but she has needed some time off from duties to recuperate. The tear in reality proved to be most distressing. I am not quite sure I've recovered from that circumstance.” Out of concern and curiosity, I asked for more detail on his reality tear story but he waved me off. “I fear I have no tale of action as you do Patrick. I was physically aware of the rend. It pulled and tore at me in a significant manner. Most distressing.”

“I'm sorry I didn't check on you sooner. I didn't know,” I apologized.

“I did not wish the information to become public while I was laid low so that my enemies might consider taking advantage.”

“There is that,” I agreed. “Still I could have brought you the vampire equivalent of chicken noodle soup or something.”

Chris smiled. “A kind offer but I think you would consider the 'vampire chicken soup' rather unpleasant.”

He's probably right.