Bethany (1197 hits)
Category: NoneLabels: Truth
Rating: 1.96 on 36 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Snark << snarkk.at.gmail.com (View user info) at 2006-02-13 16:02:04 EST
She's a scarred angel.
She's got her history written on her wrists in thin white lines. They crisscross over a tattoo of a naked pixie holding a flower.
She's got a smile that's so fucking genuine it hurts, and almond shaped eyes that glow with the softest hazel I've ever seen.
I'm sitting in The Twist, and pinching myself under the table. My friends are gathered around the pool table on the other side of the bar, but no ones shooting. They're watching us. The whole bar is watching; watching her.
It's my birthday and I'm thinking maybe God likes me again, and it's making me suspicious.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not a bad looking guy. I ain't Brad Pitt but I do ok for myself. I've been with beautiful women before, but this girl... she's a vision.
Face by Aphrodite and body by Hefner.
Yeah, it's too good to be true, so I lean forward and say exactly what I've been thinking, cuz if this is a set up, I need to know. If someone has paid her to be with me for my birthday, I honestly don't think I could turn her away, but I don't like flying blind either. It's not good for the ego.
"So I gotta ask you. What's going on here?"
"What do you mean?"
The light in her eyes fades for a second and I can see something else besides warmth and sincerity. I see loneliness. I see the reflection of the faded lines on her wrists and it makes the words catch in my mouth.
She smiles and we drink and then it's her turn to put me on the spot.
"How come guys like you never approach girls like me?"
My answer just kinda slips out. The shots my friends have been pouring down my throat are kicking in. They're making me honest and some bitter part of me tells her what I think most guys on the planet have thought at one time or another.
"Because women like you travel in packs, or you're with some guy who's got more money than soul. That and because it's easier to wonder if you're good looking enough, than to find out your not."
She blushes and I die a little and then she's telling me I'm sweet and to stop reading so much into everything.
"You have honest eyes. You're one of the good guys. I can tell by the way your friends act with you."
It's my turn to blush. I glance over my shoulder and Dan holds his glass up in a 'cheers' motion.
"They're good people."
"I'm not what your friends think I am."
"Want to join them?"
"I'd like that."
And so we do and it's great.
We drink and talk and flirt. She shows pictures of her family to my friends, because she wants to be accepted and because it proves to them that she's not for sale.
And then we're in my apartment, and she's bathed in candle glow and quivering beneath my hands.
One magical night turns into a dream weekend, we're sitting at the pub and the sun is glowing warmly off each auburn strand on her head.
Her hands are on the table and I'm looking at her wrists. She catches my eye and then puts her hands on her lap.
"How come you haven't asked me about them yet?"
"Because it's none of my business and when you want me to know, you'll tell me."
"You know there are things about me..."
"I know... there are things about us both. It matters but it doesn't."
"I'm not perfect."
"God I hope not."
Her look asks why but I'm not going to bare my soul, so I giver her the quick answer.
"Everything we've done and been through to this point is what's made us who we are. The good and the bad... I don't feel like second guessing it... not today."
She takes my hand in hers and we just sit for a while.
I'm thinking I know her better than she wants me to. I'm remembering what it's like to stand on the brink of things, bereft of hope. It's been a long long time but I know what it's like to give up.
I can't judge her. I won't judge her. I'm not done judging myself yet.
She smiles and takes my hand. She's shaking because she wants to tell me everything and she's terrified of what the truth has done to her in the past, so I let her know it'll be ok with a smile and a wink.
She squeezes my hand and lets it out:
Dead Father.
Dying Mother.
Old regrets and new fears.
Things she's done and things she's dealing with.
And when she sees that I don't care and I'm not going to try to save her, she reaches across the table and says 'thank you' with a kiss.
It's Sunday morning and we're saying goodbye.
We're exchanging numbers and promises and I'm thinking I'll never see her again, and if by some miracle I do, the odds are against this working.
Don't get me wrong friend. I'm not being fatalistic. I'm just giving the rose colored glasses a rest. I just understand how quickly dreams fade when the morning light comes. I know that the weekend wasn't built on substance.
I know and I don't care.
Regardless of what happens or does not, I'm content.
I've got a smile on my face and a head full of incredible memories.
I have a story to tell.
Not a bad way to turn a year older.
User Reviews
Submitted by ripple (user info) at 2006-02-25 13:31:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
ive just been going through and reading all your posts. i have yet to be disappointed.
Submitted by Siren (user info) at 2006-02-21 17:19:13 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Very nice as usual.
Submitted by wookie (user info) at 2006-02-21 17:06:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by peckerhead (user info) at 2006-02-14 09:09:26 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I know this is a horrible oversimplification but I really am reminded of a little saying or joke that one of my phys ed teachers had:
"I'll love you forever...
until you're out of my sight."
Relationships are not for the faint at heart. Good one, Snark.
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2006-02-14 08:17:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Good stuff.
Submitted by Davros (user info) at 2006-02-14 08:01:32 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Excellent.
Must clear out my bookmarked pages and read more Snark.
-Dave
Submitted by Nellypaal (user info) at 2006-02-14 07:46:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Great stuff.
Submitted by LadyPlural (user info) at 2006-02-14 01:02:49 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Six simple words: I'm not gay, but I'll learn.
-- Homer Simpson
I Love Lisa
Submitted by Bigmike (user info) at 2006-02-13 23:08:20 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Once again Snark comes through on the promise of quality that seeing his moniker on the front page suggests.
Submitted by Benny (user info) at 2006-02-13 22:16:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm glad you had a nice birthday.
Submitted by ConorJS (user info) at 2006-02-13 21:22:01 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
NEEDZ MOORE RAYPE!
Submitted by YELLOW-MAN (user info) at 2006-02-13 21:17:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by The_Yellow_Dart (user info) at 2006-02-13 20:12:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
There's a good reason why you're the king of Uberland.
Submitted by Wisher (user info) at 2006-02-13 17:30:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Face by Aphrodite and body by Hefner.
********
I'll let you slide on that one.... oh... she reminds me of so many, my head is Blairing.
Submitted by GodChicken (user info) at 2006-02-13 17:24:52 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Tell me she had a "pixie" haircut too and I'll blow a huge wad all over the keyboard
Submitted by Crystle (user info) at 2006-02-13 17:13:58 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Dead_0hi0_Sky (user info) at 2006-02-13 17:09:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
moving
Submitted by forthewin (user info) at 2006-02-13 17:03:21 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2006-02-13 17:00:26 (#)
Ranking: 2
You complete me.
i've known TWO very good looking girls named bethany.
_________________________
You and I must be living on a different planet.
Oh wait... I live in West Virginia. Hah!
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-02-13 17:01:28 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
well you sure as hell weren't at my friend's bday party this weekend, that was all sex and booze. ok at least for the lucky of us.
kidding. good story. girls named bethany are trouble.
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2006-02-13 17:00:26 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
You complete me.
i've known TWO very good looking girls named bethany.
Submitted by AshK (user info) at 2006-02-13 16:57:58 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Mike00295 (user info) at 2006-02-13 16:57:04 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Felt like I was there.
Submitted by Jacobt26 (user info) at 2006-02-13 16:52:39 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Not sure but this may be one of the best things I've read on here.
Submitted by Method (user info) at 2006-02-13 16:50:06 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
excellent
Submitted by leilani (user info) at 2006-02-13 16:36:10 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
this kicked so much ass.
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2006-02-13 16:31:56 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Of course her real name isn't Bethany.
I'd never put anyone's real name up here.
It rhymes though.
Submitted by OneCheapGeek (user info) at 2006-02-13 16:28:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Yeah, I bet you gaver her somethin quick. Fucking minuteman Canuck.
Smooches.
Submitted by forthewin (user info) at 2006-02-13 16:28:35 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Shenanigans.
If her name is Bethany, none of that is true. In fact, I'm convinced that the following scenario is how girls come to have that name.
___________________________________
wife: I hope it's a boy.
husband: Yeah, me too. That way I can mole- teach him to play baseball.
...
husband: Oh great, it's a girl. Let's name it Bethany. That way we won't have to worry about guys taking advantage of her.
wife: That's a fantastic idea. It will be inevitable that she grows up to look like a man. She'll hate us, but it's a small price to pay for the peace of mind we will have.
Submitted by the_lone_stranger (user info) at 2006-02-13 16:27:55 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I really enjoyed this. Your writing conjures images in my head. I like how you write.
Submitted by Jeanneee (user info) at 2006-02-13 16:26:30 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
physically attractive + emotionally damaged = fun times for one and all
Submitted by Yes (user info) at 2006-02-13 16:21:32 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
So she was a biter, eh?
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2006-02-13 16:09:28 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
So you hit it and left?
Good for you.
Submitted by HighVoltage900 (user info) at 2006-02-13 16:09:02 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Snarl, won't YOU be my valentine?
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2006-02-13 16:08:12 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Best birthday on record.
Submitted by ruthless (user info) at 2006-02-13 16:07:28 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Lucky boy.
Submitted by ubetidid (user info) at 2006-02-13 16:07:20 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment