A gleeful reality

Chapter 13

Ring… Ring… Ring…

Cory sat on his living room couch with his cell phone pressed to his ear, his leg jumping up and down in anticipation, waiting for the person on the other line to pick up.

As the phone kept ringing he wondered more and more why he was seeking ideas of dates from this person.

It wasn't like this specific person had had a lot of dating experience of any way, shape, or form.

He felt silly asking someone her age but was he not proven wrong before by this someone? Beyond your years did mean something right?

Plus, after calling a couple other people who gave him date ideas he wasn't exactly looking for, he was really hoping to get that person who would help.

Mark suggested doing a physical date like playing basketball because he could quote on quote, "get all up in her personal business" by playing defense. He really could be like Puck.

That wasn't totally the date he wanted. Sure, one day it'll be nice to "get all up in her personal business" but not for their first date. He really wanted to get out of the friend zone and do something sweet and romantic for her to show her how much he cared.

Then he called Chord who told him to take her out to dinner but he thought that was so normal and cliché that he immediately dismissed the idea.

So after some deliberation, he dialed the number he was calling now.

"Hello?" A deep voice came over the phone.

Cory was snapped out of his thoughts at hearing the call answered.

"H-Hey bro it's me Cory."

"Oh hey Cor. Listen, this really isn't a good time. I'm just about to start a conference call so I'll talk to you later."

"No no don't hang up please! It's really important Shaun." Cory answered quickly.

He heard his brother sigh over the line. "Alright Cory what do you need?"

Cory put his hand on his restless leg to calm it down a little.

"Is Lexi home? I really need her advice."

He did kind of feel a little stupid when he heard his big brother burst into laughter. After a few seconds he caught his breath and asked, "I'm sorry but did I just hear you say that you needed my nine year old daughter's advice?"

Cory nodded his head a little then realized Shaun could obviously not see him nodding so he just responded with a weak "Um yeah."

"Cory, you're a grown man. You don't think you can handle your problems by yourself?"

He sighed. "Listen Shaun, I get what you're saying but I wouldn't be asking if it weren't really important. Just… Please let me talk to her. Is she home?"

"Yeah she just got home from school about an hour ago… Are you sure you absolutely need to speak to her?"

"Yes I'm absolutely 100% positive." He said clearly.

"I'm not going to regret this am I?" Shaun wondered.

Cory lightly laughed. "No it's nothing bad I promise."

There was a short pause before he heard a quiet "Alright" and then another before he heard muffled noises coming over the line.

"Hello?" a soft voice asked.

He smiled a little to himself at hearing his niece.

"Hey Lexi it's Uncle Cory."

"Hi Uncle Cory!" she squeaked. "What's up?"