The Neighbor Next Door

But naw. The cops have better things to do than surf dating websites, right? Don’t they have to lock up criminals and bust drug rings? So I put it out of my head for the time being. Besides, I’ve got the entire weekend before me, and it stretches out, long and luxurious. This was something that I never had while in jail. There, your days are regimented by the hour, if not the half-hour.

So what to do with my time? Maybe I could go to the local garden center and get some shrubs. Working hard these past few weeks has caused me to neglect my own yard, which is in need of a little landscaping. But before I can pull on my boots and get in my truck, I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. Oh shit. We only finished speaking about an hour ago, but HeartLove has already messaged me again.

HeartLove: hey :)

She’s so cute. I wonder what she wants.

EasyDude: hey yourself :)

HeartLove: I’m supposed to be studying, but I can’t stop thinking about earlier

EasyDude: yeah it was so hot

HeartLove: I sure wish you didn’t live in Florida. I would love to meet you in person.

My heart beats in my chest. Oh fuck fuck fuck. I’d forgotten I lied to her about where I lived. Maybe this is the time to put it right?

EasyDude: I have something to confess

There’s a pause and I can almost see her eyelids flickering.

HeartLove: what’s that?

EasyDude: I don’t actually live in Florida. I live in Iowa, like you. In fact, I saw that you put that you’re from Littleton? I’m from around thereabouts as well.

I guess I’m just new to this too and I wanted to take the pressure off having to meet.

EasyDude: I dunno. Call it self-preservation

Another pause.

EasyDude: I’m sorry I bent the truth

A few moments go by and she doesn’t reply. Shit. I fucking blew it. Typical. I’m about to stuff my phone back in my pocket and head out to my truck when it vibrates again.

HeartLove: It’s ok I totally understand

Relief floods through me and I’m surprised to find I care so much about this.

EasyDude: great :)

HeartLove: I’m just happy you’re in Iowa! But that makes my question even easier. Can I meet you? Is that okay?

And the relief is replaced by dread. I’m too old for an eighteen year-old virgin. If that’s even her real age. I slump back down on the sofa and rub my temples, contemplating my options. If I agree to meet her, I risk ruining her perfect little existence. What right do I have to walk into a teenage girl’s life with all the shit I’ve caused, and taint such an innocent female? Just because I’m turned on by her purity and goodness? It doesn’t matter that it’s her idea to meet. Just like it didn’t matter that it’d been that other girl’s idea to let me fuck her on her parents’ dining table. I have to learn from past lessons.

HeartLove: hello…?

Oh shit, I’ve let her wait. She probably thinks I don’t want to meet her now, which frankly, couldn’t be further from the truth. If I choose not to meet her, I’d only be walking through this town for the rest of my time here wondering who she is. Expecting, no even hoping to bump into her somehow at every little bistro or corner mart. It’s no use. I’ll have to meet this girl or I’ll go crazy. But still, it’s important to be careful. I can’t risk another stint in jail after all.

Unfortunately, HeartLove’s already lost hope while I was thinking.

HeartLove: sorry, that was a stupid idea

And I scramble to type back before she can change her mind

EasyDude: hey, sorry for making you wait

EasyDude: I definitely want to meet you

HeartLove: you do?

I can almost feel her smile through the text message.

EasyDude: of course :) I want to meet your sweet self in person. I bet you’re even more gorgeous than in my mind.

HeartLove: haha! I hope I can live up to that image

EasyDude: I have no doubt

EasyDude: shall we say next week?

I want to give myself the chance to think this over. If in a week from now, I still think it’s a good idea, I’ll go through with it. I figure this is the most responsible compromise I can make.

HeartLove: sounds good, I only hope I can wait that long

EasyDude: You and me both, baby.

EasyDude: do you know Burger Bistro btw? The one over on Main in downtown?

It’s best to keep our first meeting in public, for all our sakes. She seems to agree.

HeartLove: Yes :)

EasyDude: meet me there at 1pm next Saturday?

HeartLove: Yes :)

My heart’s pumping when I see her answer. Stay calm, the voice in my head says. Anything can happen.

But that’s it exactly. Anything can happen, and I have to take precautions. At one p.m., it’ll be broad daylight with crowds of people walking up and down the main drag. I’m checking off all the boxes on my “responsible-adult-who’s-meeting-a-teenage-girl-he-met-online” list, if there is such a thing. Groaning, I shamefully already start regretting my decision. But I can’t help it. This girl is so innocent and intriguing at once, and she’s just my type. Damnit! I should have known from the beginning where this would lead. I’m just going to have to make sure, somehow, that HeartLove’s not underage this time. But how? Should I ask her to bring her birth certificate? Clearly, I don’t know how to spot fake driver’s licenses.