Driving home after one of the most wonderful days of my life, I had a lot to think about it. Kyle was full of sweetness. Jackson was like a knight in shining armor. And Carey, was just so worldly. Each one I kissed and I thought that would be the deciding factor, but it wasn’t. Each one made me see stars. Each one had a spark. Was I crazy? I had to call someone.
“Dad?” I said over the hands free phone. “It’s me.”
“Lexi, you’re up late. Did you have a date?”
“I did, I did,” I admitted.
“That’s wonderful! I knew when you moved into your own place it would happen for you. I’m so glad.”
“It’s fine, Dad. I can take care of myself.”
“I know. But after you started taking care of me, I worried,” he admitted. “I worried that a part of you died inside.”
“I think you’re being melodramatic.”
“Not really. Remember you Uncle Tito? He was married to your Aunt Jesse. She was the life of the party until your uncle took ill. She spent years taking care of him. It destroyed her. I wasn’t going to let that happen to you.”
“Well, it didn’t. It wasn’t,” I assured him. “Besides, it wasn’t always so dreary. Remember the first time I took you out in your wheelchair?”
“Oh, my goodness, I thought I was going to die!” he laughed. “I literally thought, that’s it. I’m going to fall over and Lexi won’t be able to get me up and by the time the cops come, I’ll be dead.”
“Dad, you’re so morbid!”
“Well, that’s what happens when you get old.”
“How are you doing? Seriously.”
“I’m good. Your aunt was here today. Made me soup, but I don’t like it.”
“Eat it. She made it for you.”
“It’s all vegetables. It’s gross.”
“Dad, I worry. Are you eating right?”
“Oh, yes. I’m taking the wheelchair all the way to Sternio’s Diner now.”
“Dad! Sternio’s Diner is two miles away!”
“It’s a nice roll and the batteries last long enough. Sometimes I like to get out just to get coffee.”
This from the man that used to moan and complain his life was over because he was in a wheelchair. Now look at him. He’s rolling all over Philadelphia.
“Well, I’m glad you’re getting out, I guess. I just wanted to talk to you.”
“What about?”
“Now that I’m back on the dating scene, I have a lot of guys asking me out.”
I didn’t want to tell him I had actually dated three guys on the same day. Dad was old fashioned.
“Nothing wrong with that. You’re a pretty girl. Pretty girls get a lot of attention.”
“It’s just that, I like more than one of the guys. I’m not sure who to choose.”
“Well, when you mother and I dated, there was a spark. I just knew. You’re going to feel that spark one day about a young man, I’m sure.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
“Don’t rush things. Young people these days, they don’t get married until later in life. You just started a career, hon. Why not have it all? Take your time.”
“Hmm, have it all…”
“Although if you want to have grandkids…”
“Da-aad!”
“I’m just saying. The park’s not too far. I’ll be able to take them.”
“The park is four miles away!”
“Ah, the battery should make it. I’m an expert now.”
“Okay, well I’m pulling up to my apartment. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Love you dad.”
“Love you Lexi. Bye.”
Maybe Dad was right. I shouldn’t rush things. Sure there was a spark with all three guys, but I wasn’t on any kind of deadline here.
I could totally see myself dating Kyle regularly. Dad would like him because he’s so family-oriented. I could imagine us settling down, getting a house and having kids. He would be a great dad. The kind that would take his kids to the park, play with them when he could and hold backyard barbecues. Then the whole extended family would come. Our house would become a nexus for family.
Then there was Jackson; so ambitious and wanting to save the world. I could see us traveling to Africa, raising money to stop poachers and helping to create wildlife preserves. We’d be doing important work. His millions could save the Earth and we would leave a lasting legacy that would last generations.
With Carey, life would be carefree. We’d travel everywhere in style, hobnob with celebrities, eat at the finest restaurants and even set fashion trends. Maybe I’d help him get a job at the network being a commentator after he retired from football. We’d vacation in the South of France and the world would be at our feet.
All three of those scenarios sounded amazing in my head. Was I just living in a fantasy? To some extent, yes, but in my heart I knew all three of these men were good. But they were also good in different ways. I like them for different reasons.
I got back to my place, got undressed and tried to take my mind off the guys with TV. It didn’t work. All I could think about was kissing Kyle, then Jackson and then Carey. I couldn’t help but think this would’ve been all a lot easier if I had only met one of them. Was it better to know all three? Would it be better had I not met two of them at all?
“Why not have it all?” I thought repeating Dad’s voice in my head.
Could that be an option? They all seemed like close friends. They didn’t seem to mind. I mean Carey bristled a little, but I think that was more about the shock of the other guys moving faster than him. This was an amazing day. Maybe I could have more.
Then I recalled the fantasy. All three men taking me at the same time. It was intense. I never had that kind of raw sexual energy. Could I make that happen? Was that crazy? Maybe people have done it. Time to go online.
I did a search and came up with polyamorous relationships. People were living these lives with multiple partners and they somehow made it work. To me, it seemed so European and cosmopolitan. I was just barely back in the dating scene. Could I really juggle three men at once? Reading more, I was seeing that it was possible. All it required was open and honest communication.
These guys were already friends. They seemed to share a lot with each other. Neither one of them seemed bothered we were all dating. Why couldn’t it work?
I checked my phone. All three of them were already thanking me for such a great day. Kyle wanted to take me to a museum, Jackson wanted a dinner and Carey was talking about a day trip to New York. If I dated all three of them, they would have to know just to coordinate. My God, the logistics!
Before I changed my mind, I decided to go for it! What’s the worst that could happen? One or two of them would say “no” and my problem would solve itself. The bottom line was that I couldn’t choose. The spark was there for all three.
I picked a nice intimate restaurant that served tapas. It would send a clear message that I wanted to be more than just friends. I also decided that I wouldn’t tell the others I was inviting all three. Better to catch them a little off guard. Besides, I wanted to do this in person. I didn’t want one of them to bail over the phone.
After a few minutes, it was over. I sent the text. At that moment, I felt like I was entering a new phase of my life. I was in charge. I was the master of my own destiny. Here I was, forging a new path rarely trod. I thought it would feel weird but it didn’t. It felt right and it felt like the only solution for me.
Sure, it was a big deal to handle any relationship, but according to the websites about polyamory, I was just following my heart. The guys would do the same. As long as the four of us were open and honest with each other, no one could get hurt. And if one or two or all three weren’t into it, well at least I tried. I did what was best for me.
A suddenly calm overcame me. It was times like this that I knew I had made the right decision. With my mind clear, I went to work on my laptop editing the interviews I had taped. Ringo’s interview was mercifully short. I didn’t want to relive my encounter with him. The boys, however, just made me happy. I was happy to hear their voices and make them look good on camera.
I worked on the interviews long into the night, then uploaded them on the Sports Ring server. Within an hour, I got a call from my producer. He had no idea I had gotten such great interviews. He was absolutely ecstatic.
“How the heck did you get access to these guys?” he demanded. “We couldn’t even get you press passes!”
“I have to give my cameraman, Baker, part of the credit,” I explained. “Plus the guys on the team. They were just really nice and accommodating.”
“Who? Ringo?”
“No. Not Ringo. Ringo’s kind of a dick. The other guys.”
“Oh, well, I was going to suggest cutting his interview anyway. He’s on his way out. Already got demoted. But the other three? Nice work, Lexi!”
“Thanks!”
I hung up. Could today possibly have gone any better? My career was on track and I was dating three of the most wonderful men I had ever met. That night I went to sleep with a smile. This was going to work. It was all going to work.