Mad Woman✓

1. Dive bar

"Dive bar on the East Side, where you at?" 

   POV JOE ALWYN:

"Thank you all for your attention", I finish my presentation and I start taking off the posters from the whiteboard as my co-workers get up and leave the conference room with the off-white walls and black leather chairs that squeak loudly when you move.

"Joe?"

I turn around and smile, "Yeah?" "I can't be there during the next meeting, I have an appointment at the dentist. But just assume I have the same vote you've got. I usually do anyway."

"I can't do that, you will just be Switzerland, I guess. I don't feel like making everyone upset because of that. You know they will be, they're terrible with that." "Well, you're probably right. Switzerland it is", she chuckles.

She and Draven came back from their honeymoon roughly a week ago. They spent about a month in Ibiza. And they're both looking happier and tanner than I have ever seen either of them before in my whole life. And I have known both of them for quite some years.

"And good luck on that date tonight, I hope she's nice", she says, raising her eyebrows. "Thanks.. I hope so too", I sigh.

I was happy I finally managed to get my mind off of it. I might like preparing dates and all that, but I am not too sure about this one.....

"Don't be nervous, you'll be alright."

"Yeah, I know... It's just weird, I don't know her. She could be a he. With a beard and dirty fingernails. Hair growing from his toes. And ears, and nose."

"That's the thing about finding dates online, you don't know what to expect. And all that most of them want is a very good night. That's what people find 'sexy' about it, I guess."

"I am not sleeping with somebody I don't know!" I say, grabbing my leather bag from my chair. But flashes from that night at the wedding appear in front of my eyes, making my cheeks warm up.

"You had sex with Taylor. You didn't know her." "That was different! I was very very very drunk. And she was unconventionally beautiful. I just- I don't even want to go. I can't wait for tonight to be over honestly, so I can go to sleep and forget about it."

"Then why are you going? You didn't really expect to find your wife on the internet, did you?"

I shrug, "A man can dream I guess. And Mom wanted me to find somebody.... We all know she won't be here for long. She doesn't want me and Patrick to be alone."

"Joe.. If you want to find marriage material, you should just go and sit down in a bar - or anywhere you want - and flirt with a girl. Just start a conversation with a girl in the park. Go to a party. Ask for her phone number and then actually call her."

I whine and we walk out of the conference room together, "I know, it's just... I am so busy. With work, with Mom..."

"Your mother wants you to be happy as well, Joe. She doesn't want you to stop living her life because she is sick. She doesn't want you to find somebody for her. She wants it for you... And so do I, and Draven too."

"I know, but I'd feel guilty if I have fun and she's just there in her white hospital room, not being able to do anything without being scared. She is scared all the time, Grace..... I have already lost my Dad to the army, I can't lose her too. And I will lose her, they can't cure her. There is no cure for this."

"I know, sweetie..." We walk into my office and I call my assistant, asking for coffee for me, and tea for Grace.

We sit down and I rest my head in my hand, "I have a lot of work to do", I say, "And when I'm done, I have to go to the hospital. And after that, I have to go to that stupid date."