Excerpt: Will It Fate

(Chapter 1 / Page 2)
“Mr. Willitt.” The officer called, exiting the front door.
I stood up as he walked towards me. The cop had a poor poker face and tried to look concerned, while failing to hide his sense of amusement over the whole situation. His eyes gave him away. I could not fault him for the trace of amusement, this was a ridiculous, almost “Cops-like” episode playing out and under different circumstances, I would be more apt to laugh as well. However, I needed a copy of that first draft to set my mind at ease, before I felt comfortable even letting out a little chuckle. Honestly, I had to have that damn first draft to secure the opportunity to begin the life I was born to live. No, this was actually not funny at all.
“So, can I go in there and get the rest of my things?”
“Well, Mr. Willitt,…”
“Call me Will.” I interrupted.
“Well, Will, it’s really quite a mess in the house and I can’t say that there’s a whole lot of your stuff left in there.” He advised, having trouble looking me directly in the eyes. “But, as soon as the other car arrives, in fact, here she is. We can go in now.”
The cop looked around and shaking his head apologized for my misfortune. I appreciated his empathy, but I think he was really apologizing for having to mediate the messy demise of my relationship. I did not care that much that he, and now his female partner, had to be a part this. I simply wanted a copy of that first draft, along with my other stuff. The end with Gloria was long over due and this conclusion was both fitting and just. The girl cop parked in front of the drive and came over.
“So, she’s throwing you out, huh?” She said to me not waiting for an answer, but instead threw the next question to the other cop. “We ready go in and get this over with?”

(Chapter 2 / Page 15)
“Has anyone ever told you, you are a really good kisser?” Carolyn asked, giving me a quick peck on the lips after she asked. Then she spun off me and grabbed the MCC Faculty t-shirt I had been wearing as an under shirt from the floor and began to get dressed.
“You know that’s one of those things I think girls always say to guys, you know.” I answered, getting up to getting dressed, too. “I’m not saying you’re saying it like that, but, you know what I mean. A flattering, ego boosting comment, like when you tell a 4 year old their finger painting is amazing.”
“Yeah, and you’re funny, but I’m serious and girls don’t usual say that about kissing unless it’s true, because kissing is more important to girls than guys.” She told me. “Girls are more likely going to say something like that about the sex if it’s not true because that’s more important to guys.”
I had no idea what to say to that? I mean, that was good information, but what did that say about the sex we just had? This Carolyn Koslowski was far more intriguing than I had given her credit for. I felt a little guilty about that. Although, I think I could believe she thought I was a good kisser. Her rebuttal did make sense. So, compliment taken.
“What are you thinking about?” She finally said and pushed me backwards onto the bed. “Don’t even think that, it was crazy good, too. You are silly aren’t you?”
“What?” I laughed as I got back off the bed. How did she do that? This girl was weird all right.
“You know.”
“You thirsty?” I asked, gladly changing the subject.
We made our way into Matt’s kitchen. I had no idea what he would have, so I looked in the fridge before suggesting anything. Surprisingly, he had it well stocked with options, of which I chose a beer and Carolyn a Coke Zero. My choice was strategic, I felt my stress levels building again now that the distraction was over, and a beer was my attempt to keep it subsided for a little bit longer. No harm there, the Carolyn experience was too much fun and I didn’t want to ruin our moment here. Time would inevitably end this moment, I was confident of that.
“You didn’t finish what you were telling me about instinctive biogenetic-harmony stuff.”
“Genetic?” She laughed. “I didn’t say genetic, you goof. Did you really want to hear more?”

(Chapter 3 / Page 26)
“So, where you been, Will?” Gus barked. “You haven’t been around lately.”
“Ah, well, you know Gus, been teachin’ and getting in too much trouble as always.” I humbly answered. “In fact, Gloria booted my ass this morning. It was a nightmare.”
“Shit, really?” Gus said, leaning towards me.
“Yeah.” I answered, looking at the grain of the wood in the bar.
“It’s about fuckin’ time.” Gus laughed and playfully slapped me in the face.
I should have seen that coming, Gus had been too familiar with my extra curricular work. I can’t say I didn’t agree with him either, hell I’d been thinking the same thing all day. Not that it didn’t still suck though and make me feel a little like shit when I actual thought about the relationship ending. Or, more so ending like it did. Or, things not beginning the way they were. We had been together over seven years. I guess it ended accordingly.
Matt gave me a shove, breaking my somber thought. Gus had lined up four shot glass, plunked down a glass of quartered lemons and saltshaker, then he started pouring the tequila.
“Look’s like it’s shots time.” Gus grinned his bar owners grin.
“What the extra glass for?”
“The birthday girl just walked in!” Gus hollered. “Tina! Shots time, honey. First, we’re toasting your brother’s messed up moral values and their consequences, then we’re kicking off your birthday celebration.”
Tina shook the rain off her coat as she strolled up to the bar and gave me a hug, whispering she had spoken to mom as she hugged me. Then she gave me a ‘you’ll be okay’ smile and patted my check. She proceeded to met Gus half way across the bar to receive a birthday kiss on the check and lastly, she turned to Matt and gave him a kiss and a quick hug.
“So, this first round is for my dear Will, huh? Tina said, again touching my check. “Well, let’s get this over with.”
We all skipped the salt, downed the shot, grabbed a lemon and in the same motion slammed the glass back on the bar for the refill, which Gus mechanically completed. Gus proceeded to vocally toast my sister and in doing so, got the attention of the rest of her friends and then, just like that round two was over and Tina’s friends were greeting her. Tina and Matt went back by the area Gus had set up for the gathering, I stayed put at the bar. Bigger groups of my sister’s friends start streaming in all together, my other sister Stephanie walked by me with her husband, but didn’t notice me and I was not in the mood for Steph’s holier than thou attitude, especially not after two shots of tequila.