Is It Love
Brock began shaving at fourteen and by sixteen he was doing it twice it day. I’ve known him for thirty years, ever since he fixed our first car. I know he doesn’t really know me. It’s the merchant syndrome. If you walk into your local drugstore that pharmacist is the only pharmacist and you never forget her. She gives you your Valium and you leave with a smile, but she sees you as just one of a thousand people for which she dispenses pills.
I grew up fixated on men like Brock. Hairy knuckles, broad chest, the stink of testosterone and not an emotion within a thousand miles. I tried, but never got to be one.
I’d a reason to be back in Somerville when a friend needed help with the foundation of his porch. In his neighborhood, I swung by to see Brock and what he could do with my dented front end.
I also wanted to see his wife, Sharon, who made my knees wobble. She wore lots of red: earrings, lipstick, and tight sweaters – all set off by her chestnut hair. I wasn’t afraid of Brock, but I was of Sharon.
After Brock pulled out my dent, I brought up the obvious.
“Where’s Sharon,†I asked.
“Cost me half a mil to get rid her.“
“I guess that means you’re not married anymore.“
“She’s an addict. Everything went up her nose.“
“Sorry to hear that. You know, I have to say this. I thought you two were the perfect couple. You even look alike. She’s a pretty version of you.“
And that was the truth.
“I tried to help her. I did everything I could but she was wouldn’t stop. She wouldn’t work, the bitch was never home. Fought with me and our two sons.â€
“Shit.â€
“She moved to Alabama and I heard from her sister that she wants me back. Not happening. I’ve remarried. Lisa’s very different. She’s stable. She’s home every night. She cooks my meals.“
“Things have worked out.“
“Worked out? Yeah. But you know what? I love Lisa but I don’t love her like I loved Sharon.“
I hope Lisa doesn’t read the blog.
Comment by rakkity — December 4, 2007 @ 1:42 am
I was just about to say, this is one of those instances when changing a few names might be a good idea.
Comment by Matt — December 4, 2007 @ 6:30 am
Maybe even the name of this site’s blogmeister …
Comment by el Kib — December 4, 2007 @ 8:04 am
I had women shaving their legs on my mind for some reason (“twice a day? never heard that … and he makes it sound like an admirable thing”), so it took me a minute.
Comment by Jennifer — December 4, 2007 @ 8:36 pm
Here I am again expanding on another post without provocation.
I understand the crux of this story has been overdone in books and movies – the tempestuous relationship is the one that leaves you longing. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton come to mind. How many times were they married? But that wasn’t the real point of my story, and I feel like in my hurry to post it before I forgot all the dialogue, I failed to convey it.
What surprised me most was that this guy, whom I claimed to be unemotional, would tell me, not a total stranger, but probably not that far from it, such a …well, you know. I’d be equally surprised if I’d had a similar conversation with a woman, but for different reasons. Women – to me – are more open but more respectful of boundaries.
Comment by michael — December 7, 2007 @ 7:49 pm
Well, duh. Rarely does anyone say anything that …well, you know … to anyone who knew his/her address. Usually, you only get that kind of story from the stranger-on-a-train. Oops, I mean most of us only get that … Clearly Mike is a different breed.
Which reminds me. Please tell me, Mike, that you changed the names? “Sphere: Related Content” is kind of freaking me out, and “B—-” is a reasonably uncommon name.
Comment by Jennifer — December 7, 2007 @ 8:50 pm
I changed everything including the state.
Comment by michael — December 8, 2007 @ 7:35 am
I suspected that you had changed everything. Except Somerville?
Comment by rakkity — December 8, 2007 @ 12:46 pm
Including the final line, right?
Comment by jennifer — December 8, 2007 @ 7:20 pm