Read Online Worse Than Being Alone by Patricia M. Clark - Free Book Online

got home.”
    “ What are you going to do with
them?”
    “ My first thought was to let them
loose at your place,” I said. “Then I thought about what Harley
said about having a bone yard, so I guess when they’re old enough
I’ll find them a good home.”
    “ That sounds good. By the way, did
you ever catch up with Mary Poppins again?”
    “ Not yet,” I said. “I’m going to
see if I can nail her tomorrow. Unlike Ho, the only time she
watches for anyone is when she’s shoplifting. So, how was dinner
with Billy last night?”
    “ Interesting. Billy basically
wants me to back off. He’s going to marry Marian.”
    “ Wow, I was afraid of that,” I
said. “What are you going to do?”
    “ I’m going to do what Billy
wants,” Roni said. “He wants you to back off, too.”
    “ Why does he have to marry her?” I
complained. “What’s wrong with living in sin?”
    “ Think about their age,” Roni
said. “Men my dad’s age are looking for someone to take care of
them. Throw in a little sex. Game over. By the way, how was your
date last night?”
    “ Strange,” I said. “He got drunk.
Apparently, he’s into a lot of S&M type of stuff.”
    “ You mean like whips and
leather?”
    “ Yeah, he swears it’s all totally
innocent,” I said. “I’m telling you, Roni, there’s a whole world of
freakish sex going on out there that we’re not a part
of.”
    “ Count me happily unaware. Do I
want to know what happened after dinner?”
    “ I pumped him for info until he
had that last apple martini,” I said. “He was so drunk by that time
several waiters had to help me stuff him into a cab. Seemed like
old times with James. Maybe I should consider becoming a lesbian.
Honestly, I like woman better anyway.”
    “ Yeah, if it weren’t for that
whole sex thing it might work out OK.”
    “ There is that,” I said. “You
know, the truth is, I’m not sure that what I’m looking for is a
relationship.”
    “ What do you mean?”
    “ Well,” I said. “I’m certainly
aware the conventional wisdom is that you’re not complete unless
you have a significant other. I’m not sure I need that. I’m OK
being alone. I don’t have to worry about always considering another
person if I want to do something. I don’t have to accommodate
someone else.”
    “ I know what you’re talking about.
That’s always the struggle in a relationship. Making sure the real
you doesn’t get lost.”
    “ Exactly,” I said. “How do you and
Harley handle that?”
    “ Well, sometimes, I tell him this
is the way it’s going to be. You can’t always give up or give in.
Of course, sometimes, he tells me the same thing so we just agree
to disagree.”
    “ I’ll probably keep trying to meet
men,” I said. “It’s kind of entertaining. I guess I haven’t totally
given up on meeting someone special, but there’s no pressure like I
can’t be happy without a man.”
    “ Good place to be.”
    “ It is,” I said. “Besides, I have
a new passion that takes up most of my free time.”
    “ I’m afraid to ask.”
    “ It’s very innocent,” I said. “I
started writing when I went to Alaska. Just a diary at first to
kind of ease into it. Then I wrote short stories. Now, I think I’m
ready to tackle a book. I guess I’d rather write then go out with
most of the guys I’ve run into lately.”
    “ I had no idea you were a writer.
I guess I’d better be careful about what I say around you. My life
might become fodder for your book.”
    “ See, that’s why I don’t tell
anyone,” I said. “People start worrying they might be that
character in Chapter Ten. How will I get fodder if everyone clams
up?”
    “ I get your point,” Roni said,
laughing. “It’s really cool. Any ideas for a book?”
    “ I’m kind of working on one now,”
I said. “I’ll let you know if it pans out.”
    Roni paused when her cell phone chirped. “Roni
Edelin. Ok, Jennifer. Slow down, hon.”
    Roni looked pensive as she listened