A Year Of Hope

So when did it all go south?

I have the best girlfriend, I'm making straight A's in college, I'm forming a relationship with my estranged girlfriend, and I have the most adorable puppy in the world. Why on earth would I decide to end my life?

Well, it's complicated, but first instance happened after the dinner at Dr. Van's house.

We had arranged to meet Dr. Van the day after final grades had been due to have dinner with her.

Jane and I had dressed up. I wore what Jane had gotten me for Christmas, and Jane wore long sleeved, maroon dress and boots. That day was unseasonable cold for a May in our state. When Dr. Van opened the door, she was wearing an old t-shirt and jeans. She laughed, "You guys didn't need to dress up! Come in!"

A small black cat ran out the door and Jane beamed at it. "Oh my god I love cats! Too bad I'm allergic."

"That's Noir. He's mostly an outdoor cat, so you should be good."

She signaled us to follow, and then closed the door behind us, and she brought us into the dining room where her wife was setting the table. She was tall and slender with dark, smooth skin, and curly hair styled into an afro. She was wearing a blue dress that was long and flowing, and gold eye liner.

Her wife looked up and grinned at us warmly. "Jane! Mordecai! It's so wonderful to finally meet you! Van had told me so much about you. It's wonderful to finally meet you. I'm Theo."

I stuck out my hand for her to shake, and said, "It's great to meet you as well."

She glanced down and let out a little giggle before taking my hand and shaking it. "There's no need to be so formal."

"It's so great to meet you Theo!" Jane exclaimed.

"Vance! Theodore! Come down to meet our guests!" Dr. Van yelled up the stairs.

We heard the loud steps of children who came barreling down the stairs. Then they came running into the kitchen laughing loudly.

One of the boys were older, about 10 or 11. He had a caramel brown skin tone close to Jane's, auburn, wavy hair which was grown out and shaggy, and a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. He was tall for his age and slender. The younger one was 7 or 8. He had a lighter, olive skin tone and freckles speckled across his cheeks. He had dark hair with tight curls, and dark brown eyes. He was a little plumper than his brother.

"Why don't you boys introduce yourselves?" Theo said.

"I'm Vance," the older boy said.

"I'm Theodore," the younger kid said, then immediately followed it with, "Are you two... boyfriend and girlfriend." As he said this he crinkled his nose as if the idea was gross.

I chuckled and and Jane smiled endearingly and said, "Yeah, we are."

"Grosss," Theodore said, and then walked up to me and pulled me down by my shirt sleeve so he could whisper in my ear, "Girls have zombie germs."

I laughed and looked at Jane who was also laughing. "I'll keep that in mind, dude."

"Now, Theodore. Be nice!" Dr. Van said. "Come on, let's all sit down and eat."