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“Mom and dad are the exception,” I said. “And besides having nothing in common with your friends, I live in Scranton and they’re either in Manhattan or travel all the time. Andi’s photo shoot in the Poconos is the only reason we managed to go out.”
“I have friends closer to Scranton.”
I took off my glasses and rubbed my eyes.
“Shannon, please find another project.”
“You and Zoe broke up almost two years ago and aside from the women I’ve set you up with, you haven’t had a date.”
“And I’m okay with that.”
“Simon, you’re a great guy with a lot to offer someone. I know you’d like to be in a relationship, you just need to meet the right girl. That’s not going to happen if you’re hiding at mom and dad’s playing video games with Andrew and Archie.”
My sister and I may be twins, but we’re total opposites, in looks, interests, and lifestyle. Where she’s like our outgoing, popular father, I take after our more reserved mother. Shannon has made it her life’s mission to get me out from behind my computer and make sure I don’t end up living in our parents’ basement.
“You know I only moved back home because mom and dad took off on their tour of the country. Once they come back, I’ll get my own place.”
After Zoe and I broke up, I moved into a studio apartment because it was fully furnished and available, but ended up living there longer than I should have. When mom and dad bought an RV and planned their epic journey, I decided to move back home. My lease was up anyway. Staying here would give me time to find something new and would also make keeping an eye on their house easier. It seemed like a win-win to me. Shannon thinks I’m going to stagnate here.
“We’ll see.”
I swear I heard her eyes roll through the phone line.
“Shan, I went away to college then moved in with Zoe a couple years after I graduated. You make it seem like I’ve been a hermit.”
“Not a hermit exactly. I mean, you go to work and hang out with your friends once in a while,” she said. “But let’s be honest, you spend more time with your dolls than you do with people.”
“They’re not dolls, they’re collectibles. And I don’t play with them. I display them.”
“Okay Andy,” she said, referring to Steve Carell’s character inThe 40-Year-Old Virgin.
“On that note, I’m gonna say goodbye.”
Her answering laugh should have aggravated me, but for some reason, it made me smile.
“Talk to you later, big brother.”
I disconnected the call and picked up my computer, but the game I’d been playing before Shannon called wasn’t keeping my attention anymore. Something my sister said kept running through my head. I would like to be in a relationship and if I’m being honest with myself, I know who I want to be in one with. Opening a new browser, I popped onto Facebook and typed in her name.
Keera Jordan.
We worked together for almost a decade before her position was downsized. I had a crush on her from day one, but she was dating then engaged. Plus I was with Zoe part of that time. Even if those things weren’t true, I’m not sure I would have asked her out. Besides the fact we worked together, we were friends. If things didn’t work out or she wasn’t interested, that friendship would have been messed up and I’d have to face her every day.
But now that wouldn’t be the case. My ego would be bruised if she turned me down, but I’d live.
I scrolled through her feed, which was mostly pictures of classes at the pole dance studio. Then something caught my eye. They’re having an open house at the studio next weekend. Before I could second-guess myself, I grabbed my phone and dialed Shannon.
“Do you have plans next weekend?” I asked as soon as she answered.
“Nothing that can’t be blown off or changed. Why?”
“There’s an open house at Keera’s pole studio Saturday and I was hoping–”
“I’ll be home Friday night.”
Sometimes it’s not so bad having a pain-in-the-ass sister.
