May in December Read Online Free Page A

New Year’s resolution early. I’ll pay the cemetery the full amount, and Grandma will be rightfully buried with a headstone. I’ll find a decent job and work on my GED, and I’ll have a man in my life that treats me like a king.”
    Jorry sighed. If only his heart would believe what his mouth said.
    Twenty minutes later, Jorry exited the bathroom feeling like a new man. He slid back on the bar stool and practically inhaled his oatmeal. Tabitha stared at him the entire time. It was a bit unnerving, but he understood her concern. Call it the mother in her, and he had to admit, he kind of liked the attention. He finished his oatmeal and was treated to a second cup of hot cocoa. Glancing about the apartment, he noticed the time. The children should be up and getting ready for school. “It’s too quiet in here. Where are the kids?”
    “Spending the week with their father. Speaking of which, what are you doing for Thanksgiving?”
    “Walking the dogs whose owners are out of town and delivering gourmet meals for pampered pooches.” Jorry set down his cup. “It’ll be busy. I should make a killing in tips.”
    “You mean that damn dog business is open on Thanksgiving? Jesus.” Tabitha sipped at her coffee. “That doesn’t seem fair to the employees. I mean, you guys have lives too.”
    “I volunteered because Patti has a baby.” Jorry shrugged, ignoring a minor ache in his shoulder from the most recent beating he’d received. “Not everybody has family to be with. Bruce says nowadays everything is open. Places like bars and movie theaters do great business on the holidays.”
    “Bruce?”
    “A…friend of mine.” Jorry toyed with the spoon in his empty bowl, not sure if he wanted to share his feelings. “We talk every day when I walk the dogs in the afternoon.”
    “Oh? And how long has this been going on?”
    “I dunno. Right after Halloween.”
    “Woo-hoo! A social life.” Tabitha pumped her fist in the air. “It’s about time you started seeing someone.”
    “It’s not what you think. He’s the father of a friend I grew up with.”
    Tabitha placed her elbows on the counter, her chin balanced in her hands. “What’s he like?”
    “Wise. Interesting. Funny. He’s about ten inches taller than me, broad shoulders and dark hair with a touch of gray. He has a beard, which used to be big and bushy, but now he keeps it neatly trimmed. He has green eyes and always smells like Old Spice. We both love the movie Dr. Horrible and watching sumo wrestling. We both collect comic books, and we both like listening to the oldies station.” Jorry stared dreamily past Tabitha’s shoulder. “When I’m around him, I feel comfortable. Like I trust him. He respects me. He listens to me and makes me feel like I’m important.”
    “So he’s a good guy, not like the other losers who have passed through your life.”
    Jorry winced. Yeah, he had an unsuccessful track record with men. Young guys his age were too immature and didn’t get his old-fashioned ideas, like taking things slow and enjoying life one day at a time. Older men didn’t take him seriously and regarded him as a mere child. And then there were those who liked to treat him like he was a worthless piece of trash.
    “Do you like him?” Tabitha asked as she scrutinized him. “You do, don’t you?”
    “What’s not to like?” Jorry leaned closer and lowered his voice. “I’ve secretly had a crush on him for years.”
    “Then go for it.”
    It was a moment before Jorry snapped his mouth shut. “Did you hear me? He’s the father of a friend.”
    “It’s okay.” Tabitha brushed a blonde strand of hair from her face. “In this day and age, it’s no biggie to be with someone older. In fact, I think you would do better with a mature man.”
    “I can’t.”
    “Why? You already said you like him and you guys have a lot in common.”
    Jorry shifted on the bar stool. “This is different.”
    “Different how?” Tabitha touched her fingers to