Page 2 of Kane
Which is where the whole stuffie situation happened…
“I promise I’ll remember tomorrow,” I say. “I don’t think I could handle a night without Twist.”
Twist is a little otter stuffie who came into my life during the first week of my bachelor’s degree. I wasn’t even sure I was a Little back then. In fact, I barely knew anything about it. All I knew when I say Twist was that I needed him in my life. And $15.99 later, he was mine. It was like his dark eyes and furry body set something off inside me that on some level I always knew was there.
And slowly but surely after that day I began to learn about being a Little.
“Nah, seriously don’t sweat it,” Davey says, a warm smile on his face. “I know you’ll be looking after Hardy. But I might swing by this evening to pick him up?”
“Yeah, that’s cool,” I say. “I’ll be up studying until late tonight, so whenever works for you is good for me.”
We fist bump in agreement and the two of us walking through the opulent lobby into lecture theater number 1.
“I’ll never get over this place,” I say, my eyes drawn up to the vaulted ceiling and the intricate carvings that adorn the walls. “It’s like walking into history. You know?”
“Yup,” Davey replies, equally awestruck. “By the way, I have some interesting news…”
From the way Davey’s cheeks flush ever so slightly, I suspect that this news isn’t to do with the work of George Eliot or whatever else is going to be covered in today’s seminar.
If my instincts are on point, this sounds more like a Daddy thing…
“So, spill,” I say, taking my seat and getting my notepad and favorite notetaking pen ready for action.
“I’ve been messaging with this guy…” Davey says, an unmistakable sparkle in his eyes. “And I think we’re going to meet.”
“Wow! That’s awesome!” I say, suddenly remembering that we’re in a lecture theater and dropping my voice accordingly. “So… when? What’s he like?”
“He’s hot,” Davey says. “And he seems like he’s got all the Daddy values that I like too. He’s not out for a quick hook up. He’s not going to get what he wants and ghost me. He’s a bit older too, just how I like.
“Sounds good,” I say.
Davey and I are both twenty-three and we’ve both had some pretty damn average experiences with younger Daddies, guys who think they know it all but actually just want some quick action and don’t have the kind of character that makes arealDaddy.
But as optimistic as Davey sounds about this potential Daddy, I can sense that there is a catch, and it might involve me…
“So, as you can probably guess…” Davey says. “I do need a favor.”
“Okay, I’m listening,” I rely, arching my eyebrow slightly. “As long as it doesn’t involve a double date, I’m cool.”
“Ha!” Davey laughs. “No, no double date. But as he wants to meet at a club I’ve never been, would you maybe come along with me. You know, just to scope the place out. And him too. Just for long enough that I feel safe. I know you’re busy with studying and everything?—”
“Of course,” I say, cutting across my buddy to save him from talking himself out of it. “I’d be happy to. Anything for a friend like you. And when you two get married and become a happily ever after Little and Daddy, you can make sure that he finds me a similar Daddy!”
The two of us laugh and nod our heads in agreements.
The truth is that while I am busy with my studies, I probably could spare one night to help Davey out. I know how hard it is to meet someone, so the last thing I’m going to do is not go that extra mile to help out my BFF.
But with that all agreed, it’s time to take my mind of Daddies and get my head back in the game. Suddenly there is a hush all around the lecture theater as the professor enters and begins his seminar with a dramatic flourish.
I’ve never wanted any drama in my life, but when it comes to literature this is my kind of excitement and it’s justperfect!
* * *
“Why do I feel nervous and not you?” I ask, casting my eyes around the club. “Seriously though, this place is kinda cool…”
It’s ten PM and normally I’d be tucked up in bed with my Kindle’s soft glow lighting up my face and Twist under my arm to keep my company. But just as I promised to Davey at the lecture earlier, here I am, ready to chaperone his date for as long as he needs.
“Hey, Iamnervous,” Davey replies. “Looks can be deceiving, trust me! Inside I’m shaking like a leaf. And right now I’m even wondering whether my so-called date is even going to show up.”
