Chances Aren't by Luke Young Read Free Book Online

what the hell, my life is pretty much over now. Not only is my marriage over, but I was just hit with the devastating realization that I'm so freaking old now that the location of my happiest memories no longer exists.
    After the waiter drops off our beers, he writes down my 'ladies' meal selection and Greg's burger order and heads off through the otherwise empty restaurant.
    "You sure this place is good?" Greg makes a face.
    "No, but where else can you get this atmosphere?" I give him a smile.
    He crinkles his nose. "Smells like stale beer in here?"
    "Yep," I reply proudly.
    He's right, the place does smell like stale beer. Which stands to reason since college kids have been spilling it everywhere into the seeping cracks in the old solid wood floor for more than thirty years. "This used to be a gas station a long time ago."
    "I'm not surprised." Looking around the room, he frowns. "I guess that's why it's empty."
    "They must not do a big lunch business, everyone is in class. At night, I'm sure it's still packed, but hey, don’t shit all over it. It's a college kid hangout. They don't care what it smells like. They pretty much come here to get drunk and get laid. You remember, right? You went to college— what, like in the fifties?"
    He gives me a chuckle. "Late sixties, but I didn't get laid."
    "That sucks. Speaking of getting laid..." Pointing out the window to the parking lot across from the College Park Shopping Center, I say, "I had the best sex of my life right over there."
    Greg follows my finger, then returns to look at me, frowning. "Where, the parking lot?"
    "No, that used to be a frat house."
    "You were in a frat?"
    "No, I was too much of a nerd for that, but I rented a room in one that summer."
    "Who was the girl?"
    "Her name was Laura Adams. We worked together in this restaurant that used to be across the street." I close my eyes and shake my head. "I'm such a loser that I remember the date... July third." After taking a sip of beer, I continue. "I know because it was the night before the holiday. Geez, it must have been... I was going into my senior year so it was… nineteen eighty eight. Yeah, eighty eight…"
    "You know…" He fiddles with his silverware on the table then sighs. "I don’t think I've had sex with the lights on since eighty eight."
    "Are you serious?"
    "Every time, missionary position and lights out." He shoots me a tired look and karate chops an imaginary line in front of me with his hand.
    "Wow and how often?"
    "Not very. I did just do it on my birthday, but I can't remember when the last time was before that." He looks away thinking. "Hmmm, maybe six weeks."
    "Well, you are married," I say. We share a knowing look that morphs into one of tired resignation before eventually breaking into a smile. Pausing, I give it some thought. "You know, maybe the wives do want more sex and better sex, but we're too stupid to pick up on the signals."
    "No, trust me. I really don't think Alice wants any more sex."
    "Huh, but you guys are good, right? You have a solid marriage."
    "Oh, yeah. I love her. It's always been this way. We had the girls and she was busy raising them and she had her interests... I was always working. We have grandkids now and besides there is more to life than sex."
    "Yeah, but it can put a smile on your face."
    "That it can, yep, that it can…" Greg replies with his voice trailing off. He exhales slowly and looks past me with his eyes glazing over. "You know I smiled... once."
    "What do you mean?"
    After turning seemingly to see if anyone was listening, he continued softly, "I've never told anyone this. And, uh, even Alice thinks I was a virgin when we got married."
    My face lights up. "You horny bastard."
    "Tracey Barnes," he announces, flashing his eyes suggestively.
    "I take it the lights weren't out?"
    Shaking his head, no, he gives me an evil grin.
    "Missionary?"
    "Oh, God, no. Right before I met Alice, I went on a date with Tracey. She had me park by the railroad tracks and