A Third of Me Read Online Free Page A

constant state of tear shed. Since then, he's been more closed off than ever before. Women have become disposable playthings. If there was ever a possibility of emotions getting in the way, he would duck out faster than you can say Reese's Pieces.
    I really hope she doesn't try to contact him. His number has changed since they knew each other, but in a world of connective technology, it won't surprise me if she tries.
    He needs a good person who loves him for who he is and for all his imperfections. I think it was Sam Keen who said you come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly, and Brian Jamison does exactly that. Vote for Brian.
    I suppose I am a little jealous of Damon being the object of Brian's affection. My parents always thought that Brian and I would eventually get married, buy a house, have children – all of that stuff. But they don't know what I know about Brian, even though I sometimes find myself lost in a fantasy writing checks as Lauren Jamison.
     
    I call Brian as I'm leaving work. He says he and Damon watched a movie then Damon left to clean house before Larry gets home. Now Brian tells me he wants to join a health club or get a gym membership. I hide my laughter because this isn't the first time he's said this. But I suppose he's motivated now and with good reason. He's not in bad shape, just a little out of shape. I almost tell him that I could get him on at my gym with a discount, but I realize he lives three hours away. Then it hits me. I tell him to ask Damon if he wants to join a gym together. A perfect opportunity for a little male bonding…
      
    Damon
    After I leave Brian's place, I get the house looking nice and ready for Larry and his guests. I go to my room and play a video game while I wait. Can’t wait to get outta here…
    Maybe I'll see what Brian's doing. He sure was uptight today. He's always been uptight, but now he's really uptight. He's probably not doing anything right now. He's boring. But that's okay, I'm boring, too. Nothing wrong with being boring. He doesn't seem happy. Sure he's got a good job and he's in college, but there's something missing from him. I guess we could both use a friend right now.
    I dial his number but before I press send, Larry bursts into my room huffing out his whiskey breath under his bloodshot eyes.
    “I thought I told you to do your laundry, you little shit! The whole fuckin place stinks!” he screams.
    I admit that I haven't done laundry in a couple of weeks, but the smell isn't from that. The whole house is a dump that reeks of mildew, cat shit, and smoke from past tenants. He'd been sick when he signed the lease on the place, so I guess he's just now able to smell it for what it really is. I tried to tell him then, but what do I know?
    I'm just baggage.
    “Sorry, I'll do it right now,” I say.
    “Damn right you will,” Larry says, balling up the front of my shirt in his fist. “Then get out of here. Stay out all night if you want. I don't give a shit. Stay with one those little hardbodies you fuck. Or hell, go stay with your faggot friend.”
    He lets go and I want to knock his jaw off his melon head, but Larry use to box in his younger days and even under the influence he could probably kill me with one solid jab to the face.
    Larry leaves me in peace but my nerves are in pieces. I carry an armload of clothes to the laundry room and drop them in the washer. I sneak into the kitchen, look around. My keys are on the table. I carefully wrap my hand around them then I'm gone.
    The sun is fading now. I'm so fucking angry. Larry wouldn't have acted like that in front of Mom. He'd wait until she left the room before crushing my gut. I don't think she ever knew. And now, as I look out into the sunset, I wonder if she's there watching me hurt, knowing she can't do a damn thing about it now. Maybe she'll whisper something to God and pull a favor for just a little help.
    I pull into Brian's apartment