Kara
It’s Valentine’s Day and I’m really excited because Noah is taking me out for dinner. He told me has reservations at a romantic restaurant, but won’t tell me where. All he told me was to dress nice. I know he’s trying to make up for our recent schedule issues since we haven’t seen much of each other lately. We’ve been dating for about almost a year now, and in the beginning everything was perfect. He’s sweet, caring, and we have chemistry. However, after a few months of seeing each other often, and our relationship growing, he started pulling away, and now I hardly ever see him. He’s been having to work a lot of crazy hours, and he keeps calling me to tell me he’s been called into work and he can’t meet up with me. When he’s not working, he’s too tired to see me. I think we’ve seen each other a total of three times over the last two months and it’s getting exhausting. I feel like he’s hiding something from me and I can’t tell if he’s cheating, but I’m trying to stay positive. Sighing I drag myself downstairs for something small to eat before I need to get ready for my date.
“Hey, baby girl.” My dad is sitting at the kitchen table. Yes, I still live at home, but not for much longer. I just started working as a bartender for my brother-in-law at Club Thrive. His friend owns the place and he manages it. I’ve already been saving up to move out on my own, but hell, I’m only twenty-one, so I’m not in a huge rush, and to be honest, my parents aren’t in a rush to get rid of me.
“Hi Daddy. What are you doing with Mom tonight?”
“She insisted on making me a nice dinner. She didn’t want to fight the crowds to go out for dinner.” He shakes his head. “I do have a surprise for her, though.”
“Oh yeah, and what would that be?”
He goes into the other room while I get busy making my snack. He comes back carrying a box. He opens it to reveal a beautiful necklace. It’s white gold with a diamond pendant. It’s gorgeous and totally my mom. “Daddy, she’s going to love it.”
“You think so?”
“Yes, it’s gorgeous and it’s simple. You know Mom doesn’t do extravagant. This is simple and delicate.” He winks at me and hurries off to put it away.
When he comes back, he leans on the counter. “What are you up to?”
“Well, I’m having dinner with Noah tonight. He’s taking me out to some fancy restaurant, told me I needed to dress nice. That means you two have the house to yourself. I may even stay at his place tonight.” He growls. My father doesn’t like Noah. He thinks he’s up to no good, but even with his cop-like skills, he hasn’t proved anything. He tells me it’s in his gut and that if he finds out he’s cheating, he’s going to kick his ass. “Daddy, be nice. He’s trying to make up for all the hours he’s had to work over the last few months. They’ve been shorthanded at work. You should be happy I’m dating a man that’s willing to work so hard.”
“The problem is I don’t believe he’s working.” He growls and moves away from the counter.
“I know…” my words trail off when he puts his hands up in a defensive manner.
“It’s not me that has to deal with it, it’s you. You need to figure this out for yourself. I love you, baby girl.” He kisses me on the head and walks out of the room.
I plop myself down at the kitchen table with my cut up apple and peanut butter, but I’m no longer hungry. I force myself to eat the apple, and when I’m about to finish, I send him off a text.
Kara: Hey, I’m really excited for dinner tonight. Should I plan to stay at your place?
I watch my phone for a few minutes but get no response. He’s picking me up in a couple of hours, so I need to get upstairs and begin the process of getting ready, but first I’ll pack a bag, just in case. I decide I better follow him to the restaurant so I have a car if he gets called in to work. I was stuck at his place one night and ended up taking a cab home. My father was pissed and his hate for Noah went to a whole new level. I grab the card I got him for Valentine’s Day and the Fitbit I bought him as a gift. He’s been telling me he wants to start tracking his steps since he’s on his feet so much anyway. I place them all next to my bag, and then grab my dress and shoes from the closet, along with the corset I bought to wear under it with some sexy thigh highs. I bought everything special for tonight. My dress is red and fitted to hug my curves perfectly. My corset is white with nude stockings, and my shoes are black. They have red bottoms like Louboutin shoes, but I can’t afford real Louboutins, so these will have to do.
If all goes well tonight, I plan to tell him that we need to figure out how to see each other more. I can’t handle a relationship like this. I’d rather be single than be with a man I’m hardly going to see. I’m far too young and there are way too many fish in the sea.
I jump in the shower and start shaving all the important areas. I want to make sure everything is nice and smooth for our romantic night. After quickly washing my hair, I jump out to dry off and then slip on my robe. It takes me forever to dry my hair and curl it, but once I’m satisfied I begin the process of doing my makeup to perfection. I’m feeling really good about this. My make-up is perfect, my hair is just the way I want it, now to slip on my corset and stockings. I slip into my dress and adjust it as I stand in the mirror. A huge smile spreads across my face. I feel amazing and I can’t wait for Noah to see me. He’s going to be thrilled. This dress shows off my thighs, which he loves, and I’m revealing just enough cleavage. Running my hands over my hips, I turn slightly to ensure that the top of my thigh highs aren’t showing.
He once told me he has a fantasy about thigh highs and garter belts. Well, tonight fantasy will become reality. I slip on my shoes, grab my bag, and make my way downstairs to wait for him. When I check my phone one more time, I see I still have no response from him.
Kara: I’m ready and waiting. I have a few surprises for you.
I sit on the couch with my phone in my hand, waiting for his response, but still nothing. He must be on his way here. He told me our dinner reservations were at six-thirty, and that he would be here to pick me up by five-thirty to ensure we’re not late. I check the time on my phone, five-fifteen. He definitely has to be on his way. Mom is in the kitchen making dinner for her and dad. “Smells good in here.”
She turns to me. “Sweetie, you look amazing. Going out with Noah?”
“Yeah, he should be here any minute now.”
“Well, you look gorgeous.” She goes back to cooking and I take a seat at the snack bar.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course you can.”
“Do you think Daddy’s right about him? Do you think he’s being sneaky or is that just Daddy being his overprotective self?”
She sighs and turns from the stove. “You know, sweetie, I’m not sure. You and I are a lot alike. We like to see the good in everything around us. We don’t like to see or believe that people are bad, even though they can be.” She stirs whatever it is she’s making. “Your father, on the other hand, sees a lot of bad, and he has for years. He knows and understands that people are bad, and that they do bad things.” I sigh, not liking her answer. “I’m not saying he’s right. I’m just saying he’s a better judge of character than you and I are.”
I nod my head and unlock my phone. Still no response, and it’s almost five-thirty. I walk out into the living room to watch for him so we can get out of here as soon as he arrives. We won’t have much time to hang here if we’re going to make our reservation. Being Valentine’s Day, anywhere you go in the city you’re bound to hit traffic, and it takes at least twenty minutes just to get into the main part of the city.
I check my phone again, five-forty-five. I don’t understand. If he was running late, why wouldn’t he call me? I plop down on the couch, frustrated. My feet are already starting to hurt from these ridiculously high shoes I bought to wear for him. I start scrolling through my social media to pass the time, but it only frustrates me when I see picture after picture of my friends out with their boyfriends. Post after post about how amazing their partners are and how lucky they are to have one another. It makes my stomach turn. I no longer feel lucky to have him the way I did in the beginning.
He was my knight in shining armor. He was the EMT that brought me into the hospital after I had been attacked. He asked for my phone number and asked me out on a date. Told me I was beautiful and he wanted to see me again. He helped me past the ridiculous nightmares I had of my attack and now…I’m lucky to see him once a month. Closing the app on my phone, I see it’s now six and there’s no way we’re making our reservations.
Kara: Why did you have to stand me up? Why couldn’t you call and cancel? You’re such a coward. I don’t care if you’re running late…don’t bother showing at all.
I grab my bag and run upstairs. As soon as I close the door the tears begin to fall. I’m such a fool. Why did I believe tonight would be any different? I went and spent money on all this stuff to please him and he couldn’t even call or text to cancel—he just blew me off. I’m done.
I’m startled by a knock on the door. “If he’s here, tell him to go away.”
“He’s not, sweetie. Can I come in?”
“Sure.”
Mom opens the door. “Are you okay?” I give her a look that screams do I look okay? “Okay, I get that you’re hurt. Maybe it’s time you thought a little about this.”
I put my hands up to stop her. “I’m done. I just want to take a shower, curl up in bed, and watch some TV.”
She nods. “Fair enough. We’re right downstairs if you need us.”
No sooner does she walk away than my phone pings.
Noah: I’m so sorry, baby. I got called to work for an emergency and couldn’t use my phone until now.
Kara: Fuck you. Go away.
Noah: Please, I promise to make this up to you.
Kara: Like tonight was to make up for the last two months?
Noah: Give me one more chance, please!
I don’t bother with a response because I’m too pissed.