Chapter 5 The crying man complains.

Chapter 5

"She's so damn smart, always got her nose in a book. I swear she's a genius," he describes his wife, keeping the smile to show how proud he is of her.

"I don't even understand what she does at her job, but I know it's important. Tons of people count on her because she's that awesome. If they did trivia here, she'll wipe the floor with everyone," he boasts.

"How do I show I truly do love her? What could I do to keep her? What am I to do?" the crying man asks his friend seriously. He turns and looks up at his standing friend, eager to hear any ideas, to which his friend looks blank.

"How about we set something up. Like, a vacation in the future. You can tell her about it tonight and set it up later, you know? Just need to think what's a good vacation for her. You know? Like, what stuff would she want to see?" his friend prompts, trying to help. I nod at this too, thinking it's not that bad of an idea. Well, the best idea for this situation.

For a moment the crying man's eyes light up with this idea. But just as fast, they darken. Like the flame of hope is blown out.

"She's into nerdy shit. Like superhero stuff, comics and video games. I tried to get into it, but it's just weird. Like I can't wrap my head around it. Like, I did that DnD with her once, but I kept getting yelled at because all I wanted to do was fight, you know? But everyone else said we had to explore," the man answers about his wife.

The more I listen, the more I am curious to see his wife. For one, what he describes is the opposite of what he is. Not to say the guy is a loser or anything as I don't know him, but I do wonder how and why he is with someone like that.

"Ok. What's something you both like?" the friend asks, trying to legit help but not having much luck.

"I don't know, man. She doesn't really like things I like, but she pretends to. Like football. I know she hates it but she learned all the rules and players because she knows I like to watch. She knows player stats better than I do. She made sure to learn for me so we could enjoy it together, but I'm too stupid to understand why the green skinned man in her show hates the purple one," the crying man continues. Judging by his demeanor he might start punching himself in frustration.

The guy's wife seems like someone I wouldn't mind meeting. I know it's his telling of it, but she sounds very much like someone I would like to be around. I'm sure she's not exactly like he describes, but it is fun to ponder. She and I could be friends from the sound of it.

I even flirt with the idea of introducing myself to her whenever she comes in. Maybe causally walk next to them and get a drink, then comment about something nerdy she's wearing? Nah. Can't do that. She's married. Wouldn't be right.

Thinking this does make me wonder how someone like me is supposed to meet others. Like I mentioned, I am very shy, so talking with a stranger wouldn't work. Plus, you don't really know the person. What if you start talking with someone and find they are a super n*zi?

I guess there are dating websites and whatnot. But that's not for me. I mean, I'm an acquired taste. Seeing a bad picture of me and reading a few words that are supposed to describe me wouldn't work. It wouldn't capture who and what I really am. Plus, if I am being honest, I would be upfront about my health issues and that would be too much reality.

I dunno. That's why for the first time in a very long time, I don't think I'm supposed to be with anyone. I got my time with my wife and that's all that was meant for me. I go to work, go home and try my best to keep my head up. I'll keep doing my volunteer work and whatnot, and in time if something is meant to happen, it will. At least, that's what I'll tell myself.

"Man, she's going to be here in like ten minutes. What am I going to do?!" the crying man tells his friend, starting to panic. To this I feel like telling him that his friend is the only one thinking up anything and that he's shooting everything down.

"She's going to leave me, man. She's going to find some asshole and just leave. She'll find some smart asshole that has read Stephen King's new book and wants to take some class about whatever Microsoft Scripts are, and she'll leave. I'll be nothing but the dumb asshole that she used to put up with," the crying man complains.

"Could I get another please? Thanks," I ask the bartender, holding up my empty glass. The bartender notices and nods, no doubt putting me in the queue of people that need drinks as the bar is only getting busier.

I stare at the crying man now, feeling very weird. That Stephen King reference is really odd, isn't it? I mean, of all the things to say about his wife, why would he say that? Seems weird because I actually finished his newest book this morning. Been listening to the audiobook of it for a couple of weeks whenever I get a chance.

Forcing myself to look away, I start to wonder if this is a sign. That the universe put that asshole and me here in this dive bar for a reason, and that's his wife. From the sound of it, she and I would be a better fit than the two of them. Everything he's described, well, is me.

But that's crazy. I don't even know the woman. And to assume that she would be attracted to me would be the same as thinking that the guy owns her. That someone besides her is controlling her own fate. After all she could take one look and blow me off, thinking I'm a loser. I'm an asshole, but not that big of an asshole.

It still seems so strange. Why of all places would I hear that guy at the same bar I am in? Describing what I would say is the perfect woman? Sure sounds like the universe speaking.