My only child, Claire, has just returned home from her first semester of college. It’s great to see her. It’s been a bit lonely since she left. Her mother, my amazing wife, died during childbirth so it’s been me and Claire for the first eighteen years of her life. You can imagine how hard it was when she made the decision to leave our home in California and go to school on the East Coast. I guess she got tired of the perfect weather and legal weed. Go figure.
We’re super close and kept in touch frequently when she was away. I tried to keep myself busy while she was away. I am a semi-retired screenwriter. I guess you could say I was successful at my work. I don’t like to brag, but I won a few Oscars when I was younger. I still write my own work from time to time, but my main focus is helping young writers develop their craft. I never thought I’d be any good as a teacher, but I enjoy it immensely. I also work out a few times a week. Just because I’m in my mid-forties doesn’t mean I can’t stay in shape and look good.
“Any big plans for your break?” I asked my wonderful daughter as we sat outside by the pool. It was another sublime afternoon in Orange County. We just finished a light swim and were drinking homemade lemonade.
“Eh, not really,” she replied. “I just want to relax. The first semester was rough!”
“Well, your grades were fairly decent, but I guess you’re still getting used to college life.”
“Yeah.” Claire reached for her lemonade. “Oh! Remember Alex?”
“Yeah…no, who’s that?”
“Alex! From high school?” she teased.
Ah yes, Alexandria. Alex for short. Claire’s high school friend. I had totally forgotten about her. The two were inseparable back then. Glad to hear they’ve kept in touch.
“Oh, right. How is she?”
“She’s good. She’s back home too and wants to hang out. I can’t wait to see her; she’s so much fun to be around.”
She also isn’t bad to look at, but I’ll keep that one to myself.
Alex, from what I remember, had long red curly hair. I always had a sweet spot for redheads. She was a nice girl, always respectful to me and was a great friend to Claire. I was glad they’d be hanging out again.
“Cool. Tell her I said hello.”
“I will. God, I really missed this place.”
“This place, or me?”
Claire gave me a playful look. That girl sure knows how to make me smile.
It’s great having someone else in the house to talk to besides our lazy golden retriever, Ace. He doesn’t hold a conversation well. That being said, she talks a lot. Like, a lot. She gets it from her mother. But that’s my angel so it’s fine. I was happy when she said she was going out shopping today. That meant I could watch sports in peace. It’s the little things, right?
I was on the couch flipping through the channels when the front door swung open.
“Hi, Dad, we have a visitor!”
Our visitor was Alex, and I couldn’t have been more caught off guard. Not because of who it was, but of how she looked. It was evident she had done some growing up since high school. She still had her trademark curly red hair and long luscious legs, but now she had developed a fairly nice rack and a fat ass. Flawless skin, slim waist, she was drop dead gorgeous!
“Hello, girls. Alex, it’s nice to see you again.” I extended my hand and she politely shook it. Mm, her skin is so soft.
“You too, sir. I hope it’s alright I’ve stopped by.” I didn’t remember her voice being so calm, and angelic.
“Not a problem at all. Have a seat.” The girls sat together on the adjacent couch. I was so focused on Alex I almost forgot my daughter was in the room with us.
“I’m hungry. We have any food, Dad?”
“Kitchen’s right there, kid. Go find out.”
“K”. Claire got up from the couch and walked towards the kitchen. Alex was looking at the TV.
“Big sports fan?”
“Not really, but I like it watching from time to time.”
“Cool. So, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you. How have you been?”
“I’ve been good, sir. My first semester was okay.”
“Just okay?”
“Yep.” Alex looked away. I could tell there was more to the story, but I didn’t press it.
“Well, it’s nice to see you again. How is it seeing Claire after all this time?”
“She hasn’t changed a bit.”
“Not sure if that’s good or bad.”
The two of us shared a laugh. Even her laugh was adorable. What is up with me? I don’t like young girls usually. I prefer women who are already well established in life, not college-aged girls my daughter is best friends with. Get it together, man!
“What are you two giggling about?” Claire walked back into the room with some chips.
“Oh, nothing,” Alex answered. She shot me a devilish wink and started then proceeded to gossip with Claire about some girls they used to know.
What was that? Why did she wink at me? I imagined it, surely. I've got to stop smoking so much.
Later that day I found myself once again on the couch, watching tv. The girls went upstairs hours before and I had forgotten about them, honestly. I wasn’t even sure if Alex was still here. Alexandria…what a girl. No, what a woman. She’d really grown up in just a short amount of time. She was fighting guys off left and right, no doubt. An old guy like me had no chance. It was for the best.