I just got off of the phone with Rodrigo. After ten minutes of breathing into a paper bag, I have regained my composure enough to sit down and decide if I'm going to see him.
It turns out he's going through a divorce with Jana. They've been separated now for a few months. He's pretty emotional about the whole thing. Not like, crying on the phone emotional. But definitely still in the processing stage. He said he's been spending alot of time alone thinking about what went wrong. They grew apart and want completely different things out of life. The marriage finally ended after 2 years of arguing. They don't have any children together. The two kids in the photo with him are his nephews.
Before we hung up, he invited me to come down to San Diego for his birthday this weekend. A few of his closest friends are flying in to cheer him up. They'll be hanging out at a bar in PB, shooting some pool and having drinks.....
I'm not sure if I should go. Of course, I'd love to see him, but the whole divorce thing kind of makes me feel weird. We'll see.......
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Second Chances
I once had a star-crossed teenage romance with a boy named Rodrigo. We were in middle school when we met. I was 13 years old. He was 12. And we were both a bundle of raging hormones and unexplored sexuality. Obviously, my mom could sense the teenage lust and forbade me from seeing him. I did see him though-every chance I got. When my mom was pre-occupied on a long distance phone call with my grandmother, I would sprint the 1 1/2 miles to his house, just to sit outside and talk to him for 10 minutes. Then I'd run back home, my heart racing more from the threat of getting caught than the exercise. And after school, he'd walk me home and we'd kiss on my front porch until our lips were raw and red. This went on for 3 or 4 years. We didn't really know what to do after the kissing got old. Well, at least I didn't know what to do. But he did.
One evening when my mom was out with my brother at a boy scouts meeting, Rodrigo came over and we made our first attempt at making love. Funny how you can know what all the working parts are, but you're not exactly sure what to do with them. We fumbled. He fingered. I pulled. We both pushed and wiggled. I felt a pinch and put an end to the sex session. If it was going to hurt, then I wasn't interested.
We tried unsuccessfully a few more times. But Rodrigo eventually got bored and decided there were other girls who were much more willing and eager to close the deal. We remained friends, even after he went on to date a few of the girls in my social circle. My mind was more focused on finishing up high school then finishing off Rodrigo. When my senior prom rolled around, I didn't have a date. My best girlfriend, Laura was dating Rodrigo's best friend, Mike. So it only made sense we'd all go together. We had a great time. We drank beer in the limo, and did the traditional red carpet processional into the prom. Inside, I danced my heart out with my friends. And right before we left, Rodrigo and I had our photo taken in front of a gaudy "Under the Sea" backdrop.
Although my mom had given me a strict 1am curphew, I had my mind set on staying out the entire night. Besides, I was leaving for college in a few months. I figured I couldn't get into TOO much trouble for breaking my curphew. So Rodrigo, Laura, Mike and I all headed to a nearby motel to have a few more beers. Rodrigo rented us our own room and had a few more beers while making out. Then, the mood suddenly changed. I told Rodrigo I had no plans to sleep with him that night. He got pissed and left for about an hour. When he came back, he cuddled up behind me and we slept like babies.
I graduated and went off to college. I met "The Italian" and dated him for four years. It was during one of our infamous "breaks" that I decided to head home to Miami for Thanksgiving. Laura knew I needed cheering up and convinced me to go out to a local bar. And there was Rodrigo. Looking just as smooth and sexy as he had 4 years earlier. As soon as he saw me, he scooped me up in a big bear hug. He told me how great I looked and I echoed his sentiments. At least, I think that's what I said. I couldn't really hear myself because my heart was pounding in my ears.
We made small talk for a few minutes, staring in each other's eyes as if there wasn't anyone else in the room. Then, he dropped the bomb. He was engaged and getting married in 3 months. My heart sank. I awkwardly congratulated him. I actually knew his fiance, Jana. She was a beautiful and sweet girl I'd ran track with in high school. I wished him the best and when he asked me for my number I changed the subject and snuck away at my first opportunity.
A week ago, Rodrigo friend requested me on Facebook. And all of the sudden, it was like I was 16 again. My heart started to pound, I was sweating and my mouth was dry. I hadn't seen him in almost 8 years! I accepted his friend request and instantly started snooping through his photos. No pictures of Jana. Only a photo of him with 2 adorable little boys. And his current city was....SAN DIEGO!!! He lived 2 hours south of me??? Not in Miami? I didn't leave any comments on his page or message him. I just waited. And sure enough, today he sent me a message congratulating me on my success as a writer and telling me I looked fantastic in my photos. I waited a few hours and responded cooly.
ME: Hey Rodrigo-Great to hear from you. I had no idea you were living in San Diego. How's life? How's Jana. Do you have any little ones? Hope all is well.
RODRIGO: I'm doing ok. Actually, I'm in the middle of a divorce. Things didn't work out between me and Jana. No house and no kids together-which is making the separation a little easier. Those are my nephews in some of my photos. I love living in San Diego. I've been here for 3 years now. I'd love to talk to you and catch up sometime. (619) 323-954*
ME: I'm really sorry to hear about your divorce. I wish the best for both you and her and will keep you in my prayers. Your nephews are adorable! I had no idea your sister had kids. It would be nice to catch up with you as well. (310) 987-122*
And now, my phone is ringing. It's a 619 number.....that's San Diego.
One evening when my mom was out with my brother at a boy scouts meeting, Rodrigo came over and we made our first attempt at making love. Funny how you can know what all the working parts are, but you're not exactly sure what to do with them. We fumbled. He fingered. I pulled. We both pushed and wiggled. I felt a pinch and put an end to the sex session. If it was going to hurt, then I wasn't interested.
We tried unsuccessfully a few more times. But Rodrigo eventually got bored and decided there were other girls who were much more willing and eager to close the deal. We remained friends, even after he went on to date a few of the girls in my social circle. My mind was more focused on finishing up high school then finishing off Rodrigo. When my senior prom rolled around, I didn't have a date. My best girlfriend, Laura was dating Rodrigo's best friend, Mike. So it only made sense we'd all go together. We had a great time. We drank beer in the limo, and did the traditional red carpet processional into the prom. Inside, I danced my heart out with my friends. And right before we left, Rodrigo and I had our photo taken in front of a gaudy "Under the Sea" backdrop.
Although my mom had given me a strict 1am curphew, I had my mind set on staying out the entire night. Besides, I was leaving for college in a few months. I figured I couldn't get into TOO much trouble for breaking my curphew. So Rodrigo, Laura, Mike and I all headed to a nearby motel to have a few more beers. Rodrigo rented us our own room and had a few more beers while making out. Then, the mood suddenly changed. I told Rodrigo I had no plans to sleep with him that night. He got pissed and left for about an hour. When he came back, he cuddled up behind me and we slept like babies.
I graduated and went off to college. I met "The Italian" and dated him for four years. It was during one of our infamous "breaks" that I decided to head home to Miami for Thanksgiving. Laura knew I needed cheering up and convinced me to go out to a local bar. And there was Rodrigo. Looking just as smooth and sexy as he had 4 years earlier. As soon as he saw me, he scooped me up in a big bear hug. He told me how great I looked and I echoed his sentiments. At least, I think that's what I said. I couldn't really hear myself because my heart was pounding in my ears.
We made small talk for a few minutes, staring in each other's eyes as if there wasn't anyone else in the room. Then, he dropped the bomb. He was engaged and getting married in 3 months. My heart sank. I awkwardly congratulated him. I actually knew his fiance, Jana. She was a beautiful and sweet girl I'd ran track with in high school. I wished him the best and when he asked me for my number I changed the subject and snuck away at my first opportunity.
A week ago, Rodrigo friend requested me on Facebook. And all of the sudden, it was like I was 16 again. My heart started to pound, I was sweating and my mouth was dry. I hadn't seen him in almost 8 years! I accepted his friend request and instantly started snooping through his photos. No pictures of Jana. Only a photo of him with 2 adorable little boys. And his current city was....SAN DIEGO!!! He lived 2 hours south of me??? Not in Miami? I didn't leave any comments on his page or message him. I just waited. And sure enough, today he sent me a message congratulating me on my success as a writer and telling me I looked fantastic in my photos. I waited a few hours and responded cooly.
ME: Hey Rodrigo-Great to hear from you. I had no idea you were living in San Diego. How's life? How's Jana. Do you have any little ones? Hope all is well.
RODRIGO: I'm doing ok. Actually, I'm in the middle of a divorce. Things didn't work out between me and Jana. No house and no kids together-which is making the separation a little easier. Those are my nephews in some of my photos. I love living in San Diego. I've been here for 3 years now. I'd love to talk to you and catch up sometime. (619) 323-954*
ME: I'm really sorry to hear about your divorce. I wish the best for both you and her and will keep you in my prayers. Your nephews are adorable! I had no idea your sister had kids. It would be nice to catch up with you as well. (310) 987-122*
And now, my phone is ringing. It's a 619 number.....that's San Diego.
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