Whatever Comes Up: A Collection of Short Stories

Pursuit of Happiness (Part 3 of Starstruck)

Rosa was watching a rerun of "The Center" on TV, but she was paying close attention to Roland Graves.

"This has to be him. It has to be."

It's hard to see why it wasn't. Minus the beard, you got the eyes and smirk. These were the two things Roland was practically known for.

And besides, no one can pull off his trademark smirk so naturally like that.

Her brother Antonio came in and plopped besides her on the couch, placing a large take out box on his lap.

"You really believe "The Center" kid works with you?"

"I'm almost positive. He looks like him, sounds like him... I'm 99% sure it is him."

"And if it is just the other 1%, I'm 99% sure you're gonna regret going through this."

"I just want to be certain it's him, you know? Imagine how amazing it would be to have Roland Graves as a friend... or maybe even more."

She turned to Antonio as he started to dig into a humongous chimichanga.

"San Pablo's?"

"The one and only. I didn't know if you wanted anything, so I-"

"Antonio. Will you be around next Friday?"

"I think so."

"Well don't plan anything until I get back from work tomorrow."

"Fine with me."

"I'm being serious. This could be our catalyst for solving the mysterious case of Roland Graves and Eduardo... whatever. Are you down?"

"Oh no Rosa. You can't take the brother out on a date, that's relationship suicide."

"Oh what- I wasn't expecting this to be a date."

"Oh. Then I guess it's OK then."

"Tomorrow after work, be ready for plans for Friday night."

"Alright."

Rosa went back to watching TV.

"You're gonna make him pay for the-"

Rosa darted her eyes at Antonio, and he went back eating his chimichanga.

A young lady dressed in revealing clothing stood on a street corner, smoking a cigarette and watching as cars drove past.

However, one car stopped besides her.

The lady watched as the driver rolled down the window, and behind the wheel sat a bearded man with bright blue eyes and a devilish smirk.

"What's your name sweetheart?"

The lady was quiet. The man saw she was getting nervous.

"Let me start. Name's Eduardo. I'm kind of new around here, so how about showing me around town?"

The lady still said nothing.

"Listen... I promise you I'm a nice guy. And to boot, I'm willing to give you whatever you ask for. Name a price, and I got it."

"How do I know you're not full of shit?"

Eduardo takes out his wallet and pulls out a wad of cash.

"I'm willing to bet this will pay this month's rent."

The lady bites her lower lip.

Roland couldn't help but see his younger self while he made love with the lady.

Her expensive jewelry flashing in the close-to-darkness of his bedroom reminded him of the expensive escorts that filled up every night of the week.

Her lips against his neck, all over his body.

He remembered how good that felt, how all his problems faded away and it was just him and her.

His mind was numb. He could see the white powder spray from under his lady's nose as she threw her head back and moaned.

He felt younger again. He felt nothing but pleasure, and he wanted to never let that feeling end. He wanted every night to be like this. No, every minute of his life to be like this.

Then it was over.

The lady got out of bed and put on her clothes.

"Can you please stay the night?"

"I'm sorry Eduardo. But thanks for the jewelry."

The lady left, and Roland sat in his bed.

Everything started to fade back into reality.

At least this time, he didn't wake up in a hospital bed, or have to see his mother stand over him, with Ernest's disappointed and sympathetic look pierce his soul as she cried into his shoulder.

Fortunately, he put himself in a position where he wouldn't have to see the whole world feel the same way Ernest or his mom felt for him.

Unfortunately, he knew he had to chase that feeling again, and again, and again.

And who knows, maybe it'll come to a point where he would feel no pain or regret ever again.