The sunlight started to fade while I stared at the computer screen, the blinking cursor calling to me like an eager street peddler. I’d assumed the words would come as soon as I started, but once I sat in front of the keyboard, all thought drained from my brain.

Looking for a female roommate…

I hit the backspace, like I’d already done a million times, and tried again.

Man seeking a roommate—preferably female—for companionship.

That one actually made me laugh. I didn’t care to sound pathetic. Once I found someone to move in, they’d realize how pitiful I truly was, but I didn’t need to advertise it ahead of time. I ran my hand over my face and began the process all over again.

I’m gone a lot for work and need someone around the house while I’m not home.

Well, that did nothing but scream “come steal from me because I won’t have a clue until you’re long gone.” I shook my head, raked my fingers through my hair, and contemplated giving up entirely. I’d had a reason for doing this, but as I sat here, cursing at myself, I couldn’t for the life of me remember what it was.

Oh, yeah. Because I was alone, and I hated it.

Anytime you hear of a person catching their spouse with someone else, it’s always the woman walking in on her husband, balls deep in his secretary. Well, I’m living proof that it happens the other way around, too. Except for the secretary part…I can’t really prove that.

A year ago, I had caught another man balls deep in my wife.

My now ex-wife.

Colleen and I had been married for just over six years when it had happened. I’d worked a lot out of town, which was ironic that I hadn’t caught her any of the times I’d come home early. I wasn’t supposed to be out of town, and I definitely didn’t have any suspicions about her infidelity. It’d happened one night when she had gone out with her girlfriends, like she had done every month. I’d figured while she was out, I would go grab a rare drink with one of the guys. So it came as a surprise when I found her cozied up with someone who wasn’t me in a corner booth of the bar.

I hadn’t gone ballistic and started breaking shit. Instead, I’d waited it out. When they left and headed outside, I trailed behind them, making sure they couldn’t see me. Colleen had no clue what I truly did for a living, so I couldn’t really blame her for not being more careful—especially when she got in the guy’s truck.

I’d stood along the wall, hidden in the shadow of the canopy above, and watched as she leaned over the console and touched his face like she used to do to mine. Then they kissed. I couldn’t move, torturing myself with the visual of their hands all over each other’s upper bodies, her climbing into his lap, the steering wheel at her back. When her shirt had come off, I thought I would vomit. But I didn’t leave, not even when her body began to move.

Normally, I would’ve stormed to the truck and busted out the window, dragged my wife out to prove a point. Yet I didn’t. Instead, I’d stood stock-still and waited for their parking-lot romp to end. The entire time they fucked, I contemplated what to do. I was faced with two choices: confront them both, or walk away.

While Colleen had fastened her bra in the passenger seat, and the guy lifted his hips to button his jeans, I hung my head and walked around the corner to my car. I raced home before she could get there and hurriedly packed my bags. I didn’t leave behind a note to explain my absence or inform her that I wouldn’t be back—ever. Instead, I’d twisted off my wedding band and set it next to the sink in the bathroom.

Now, as I sat on the front porch of my grandfather’s old house—left to me in his will—I watched the last of the light fade behind the Gulf and realized how lonely I was. Living by myself sucked, and more than company, I’d missed the presence of a female. I wasn’t interested in dating anyone, and I didn’t have any friends in town, aside from the vagrant who roamed the beach in the mornings. I traveled during the week and spent my weekends holed up in this tiny beach house that faced the ocean.

Which was what had sparked the idea of going online to find a roommate.

I dismissed the thoughts of Colleen and finished my ad.

Newly divorced male seeking roommate to combat the loneliness. Looking for a woman who’s interested in a platonic friendship. Would get your own room/bathroom, and share communal space. House is paid for, so rent can be negotiated. Pets are allowed but subject to approval. Only serious inquiries will be taken.