Someone Like You Read Online Free PDF Page A

and walked behind the
register.
    “So how long
have you been home?” he asked.
    “About six
weeks. I stopped off in
Chicago
to attend a wedding and then came home.”
    “It’s wonderful
to see you. And you look very fit and healthy.”
    “Is that you,
Jake?”
    Oh, shit, no, not more people who know me.
    It was the
lady from the dry cleaner heading his way pushing a cart-load of items,
obviously ready to check out.
    “Yep, it’s
me.”
    “Good to see
you home. Hope it’s permanent this time.”
    “Yes, I think
it will be.”
    “Will this be
all for you?” asked Bob.
    If Jake ever
wanted to run and hide it was right this very second.
    “Yes, that
should do it for me.”
    “Actually
we’re having a sale on condoms right now. Buy one get one free if you want to
go back and get another box of these babies.”
    Jake opened
his mouth but nothing came out. He looked at Bob, looked at the lady from the
dry cleaner, and both were looking at him, waiting to see what rolled off his
tongue, he was sure of it.
    “No, one box
is ample. Actually these are for a buddy from the Army, he’s coming to visit,
and I said I’d get him some.”
    For fuck’s sake, I’m digging myself in deeper
here.
    Bob and the
lady glanced at one another, and Jake knew what they were probably thinking.
That he had now a male lover. However, he wasn’t going to say another word
because he’d more than likely make it sound even more sordid than it did.
    “Just the one
box,” said Jake, pulling out a ten dollar bill from his wallet.
    “Okay, but if
you change your mind, the sale’s good till next Sunday.”
    “I’ll
remember that.”
    “You want a
bag for these?”
    “If
I could.”
    “Well, don’t
be a stranger too long,” said Bob, handing Jake the now concealed box.
    “I won’t.
Nice seeing you both again.”
    “And you too,
Jake.”
    He headed out
the store sensing they were watching him, probably about to gossip about his
male lover as soon as he was out of earshot.
    Jake headed
down to the end of the strip mall. He had every right to have sex and buy condoms,
but he knew people in general were nosey creatures. Right now they were   wondering if he
had a new woman in his life.
    Oh to hell with it, I can’t keep worrying.
    He stopped
when he arrived at the pet store, knowing he always found being around animals comforting
and calming. Two things he needed right now.
      There in the window were three dogs in the
grooming section, standing on tables being brushed and clipped. He smiled. He
missed the dogs he got to work with while he was in the Army. In a way, they’d
given him companionship and helped him deal with the loss of his wife.
    Something
about the store made him want to go inside. Jake stepped into the foyer where
he saw lots of photos pinned to the notice board. Dogs, cats,
and a few bunnies all looking for good homes. Maybe once he got settled
back in some more and got work lined up he’d think about adopting a dog. He
looked into the store and saw a help-wanted sign by the cash register .
    Dog trainer needed.
    Katie had
often referred to him as the real Dog Whisperer and not that guy on TV. It
probably wouldn’t pay much, but it would get him back on his feet while he
decided what he really wanted to do with the rest of his life. He walked over
to the sign, tore off an application form, and headed back to his car.
    ****
    Gen glanced
at the calendar. It was already Friday, and where had the week gone? She’d been
unable to concentrate for most of it. She’d planted a cherry tree where a
hydrangea should have gone, almost sprayed weed killer onto a client’s herb
garden, and worn her slippers to yesterday’s job.
    One thing was
setting her on edge, and that was the prospect of having sex with Jake. She
really wanted to because she found him very attractive, but she wondered if he
felt the same way about her. What if she didn’t excite him? What if the whole
thing turned into the most embarrassing situation