Page 181 of Bend
First off, Kenneth had no interest whatsoever in sports—any sports.
He has no interest in music, traveling, the arts, television programs, or even current events—with the exception of the national debt, about which he rambled on non-stop for nearly twenty minutes.
He also had no tolerance for being referred to as "Kenny," which Eli managed to do several times, much to Kenneth's obvious chagrin.
Finally, Eli and Cain retired to their room to give Kenneth and me some privacy, which to be honest, I didn't want. The dude was flat out on my fucking nerves. In fact, he was running neck-and-neck with ol' Trevor Mulroney at this point.
"Would you like a refill on your wine?" I asked Kenneth as we sat staring at one another at the now-cleared dining room table.
"Certainly, thank you," he replied, holding his glass up.
I poured myself some as well, thinking maybe this guy would be a tad more tolerable if I were under the influence a bit.
"So, Paige," he said quietly, leaning in as if he wanted to tell me a secret. "Is it safe for me to presume that your…uh…roommates are queers?"
I nearly spewed my mouthful of merlot onto his crisply-ironed white oxford shirt. I grabbed a napkin, wiping my mouth as I managed to swallow it instead.
"Uh, Kenneth? Exactly who uses that word these days?" I asked, looking him dead in the eyes.
"I apologize," he replied, quickly. "Homos, then?"
Ah, fuck to the no…
"You know," I started, trying to choose my words carefully, "I guess I don't understand why the sexual preference of my roommates—who, by the way, are very close to me, would be of any consequence to you."
He looked a bit taken aback at being called out on his own ignorance and stupidity.
"Well, it's just that your living arrangement took me a bit by surprise. I mean, I've been trying to talk to you for months, but you didn't seem interested. Then, out of the blue, you invite me to dinner this week and introduce me to your roommates, whom you obviously wanted in attendance for our date. It just makes me wonder whether you don't feel comfortable being alone with me—or maybe if it's something else altogether."
What. The. Fuck?
"What do you mean by something else altogether?" I asked, not hiding my puzzlement at all.
I actually saw Kenneth squirm in his chair, and a blush appeared on his cheeks. "Well, uh, I am familiar with your reputation just a bit. I mean, well, Darin Murphy kind of likes to boast, know what I mean?"
I felt myself getting fired up at the mention of that douche's name. "Go on," I said firmly.
Kenneth was definitely out of his comfort zone now.
"Well, it's just that Darin kind of clued me in when I told him you had approached me for a dinner date at…your place. He told me about your roommates—and he may have asked something about my having experience with—uh…foursomes," he finished quickly. "I just want to tell you, right off the bat, that I'm not into any of that counter-culture stuff. It's got to be a one-on-one with you and me, okay?"
I was fairly sure my mouth was gaping open by this time, and my eyes were the size of saucers.
Yet still, he babbled on.
"I mean, when the time is right for you and me to have sexual intercourse, I would prefer that it be at my place—not here. I just don't think I could perform knowing that—"
So let me just stop right here and fast-forward.
Needless to say, Kenneth left our home before dessert was served. And when he left, there was no doubt in his mind that he'd never be back.
End of random date #1.
chapter 12
It was four days before Christmas, and here I sat at one of the nicest restaurants this side of D.C., across from Roger Falconer.
I'd gone all-out getting dressed this evening in a black knit dress, with heels and hose to boot. Both Cain and Eli had let out low whistles as I came out into the family room to let them know I was taking off.
