I was feeling better than I ever had, but something was missing.
I was 53, out of shape. Too many late nights, too many days just doing nothing. Depressed, trying to just get through the day at work so I could come home to my solitude.
I knew something had to change.
Finally, something clicked inside my head. Screw this, I thought.Β I began eating better. I began working out..I started a strict schedule of exercise. No fad diets..I knew from experience they never last.
Slowly, I felt better.Β I stayed on it, went down 4 pants sizes, I saw the definition in my arms, the chest began tightening up, the abs began to show..the belly starting to recede. Not bad looking for a 53 year old.
Gave up the bad habits..the junk food, the drinking and especially the porn.
The porn was the most destructive for me..it sapped my motivation and left me with an unrealistic expectation of relationships..I went through 2 wives due to it. I was probably bi, but by this time in my life, I was tired of labels.Β I was just me, and I liked what I liked.
So, feeling better, more energy than I ever had, I started learning the guitar and began writing more.Β Reconnected with old friends and basked in their compliments.
But I still felt a twinge of loneliness.
I met a few people at the gym..they were younger and had new families, I didn't want to be that guy...the old guy they hung around with, you know?
Some of the people I met online were nice, but the online dating was always hit or miss for me.
I stayed busy..hiking, fishing, camping,.I enjoyed the getting back to nature.Β Always that thought in the back of my mind, "It would be nice to have someone to share this with."
Life went on. I stayed strong and felt good.
One day at work, Ken, a fellow engineer, dropped by my desk.
"So. What's happening," he said, in his best Lumberger from "Office Space" voice.
"What's up?"
"We're having a going away thing for Zach at a club tonight..you.should come along, Lone Wolf." Ken likes to tease about my solitude...A friendly yet concerned jab.
I rubbed my chin. "Oh, yeah, I forgot it's Zach's last day. He did good work, I'm gonna miss him."
"Then come out and tell him that, oh wise and muscular hermit."
"Ahh, I don't know.." I was going to make an excuse..but something clicked again. You need this, the voice said. Have fun. "Hell, why not? Where and when, I'm there."
Ken seemed surprised. "Really? All right, my man. It will be around 7 tonight at The Hat Lounge..heads up, its a gay club, so hope that's okay."
I almost laughed..I used to go to that club in my less disciplined days. "Not a problem."
"Great, see you there, old man."
After work I headed home, grabbed a quick workout, showered and dressed. I went with simple..faded jeans and a Polo shirt. I spritzed some cologne on and checked out my visage in the mirror.Β I had a shaved head and a white goatee..shoulders broad, arms a little tight in the short sleeves of the shirt. Tanned from my camping trip the weekend before. I smiled. Far from the dumpy, flabby guy looking back at me last year.
I pulled up to the club..more cars than usually for 7:15 on a Friday, and the bass was loud yet muted from outside. A nervous twinge hit me...but I tamped it down..I was stronger than I used to be.
The going away party went well..I sipped club soda, mingled and chatted with my co workers, laughed, had fun..made sure let Zach know he was going to be missed.
I realized in my pursuit of my "perfection" I had shut myself off as well..I made mental note to change that.
Not long after, people began Β to leave..around 9, about the time when the place started to get crowded. The usual..kids at home, need to go for the married ones, the others having plans with their circle of friends.
Goodbyes and farewells until it was just me. I walked to the bar and found an empty stool. I ordered another club soda and spun around and watched.
Being sober made me more aware, I found. Seeing eyes on others, watching some pick up on clues, others oblivious. Mainly, seeing couples happy..a playful touch on their arm, genuine affection. The dance floor becoming more populated, writhing bodies and willful abandonment. I envied them and was also happy for them. A warm smile crossed my lips.
"I won."
A voice from my right side. I looked over and saw deep blue eyes gazing back.
"I'm sorry?"
He was slight..around 5'7", thin with sandy blonde hair. In a t-shirt and jeans, probably 30 years old. He sipped his drink. "I bet myself that you had a great smile, so I win."
I grinned. "You made a bet with yourself, so you would have won, either out come. And thank you."
He smiled and sipped. "You like to watch."
"So do you, apparently."
"Touche. What are you drinking?"
"Club soda. You?"
"Bourbon and coke."
"Ahh..that used to be my favorite before I stopped."
Lidded eyes looking up at me as lips wrapped around the straw..he knew how to flirt. "Did you have a problem with alcohol?"
"What, like an alcoholic?" I shrugged. "Not really. I just wanted to not drink anymore. It was holding me back, I guess."
He smiled. "That's a pretty mature attitude."
I laughed. "It took me until year 53 to figure it out."
His eyes got wide. "You're old."
"Thanks for the newsflash." I replied in a friendly tone.
He held out his hand. "I'm Jamie."
I grabbed his hand..small,my hand nearly engulfed it. "Nice to meet you, Jamie. I'm Kyle."
He blushed..just slightly.
I flagged down the bartender and ordered us both another round.
"Oh, you didn't have to do that.." He seemed a little embarrassed.
I shrugged. "Why not? Its a friendly gesture."
He blushed a bit again. "So, you don't drink..why are you here?"
"We had a going away thing for a coworker here..you know. All the others left, they had other plans, or significant others waiting at home, the usual."
Jamie smiled again..very cute. "No one at home for you?"
"Not at this point in time..thinking of getting a dog, though."
"That's a shame." He ran his svelte fingers around the rim of his glass. "You could probably walk out of here with any number of people tonight."