Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16810 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16810 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
“And then you go out with a yacht club on Saturdays and do all that rich-people stuff. You got a hobby, man. I can’t believe you’re bored.”
“Do you even know what happens on those yachts, Jonas?”
“You sip champagne and complain about the little people?”
“Some of the club members do. Most of them are rich old men who have no idea what the real world is actually like. Didn’t get married until they were fifty, and then they married some eighteen-year-old girl who is nothing to them but a set of holes and some sort of vessel for their progeny.”
“Well yeah, you’re single. And you can attract a girl with way more than just your money.”
I stretch out in my chair. “I want more than a one-night stand, I think. I’m sick of one-night stands.”
Jonas sits up and looks at me with wide, confused eyes. “Say that again?”
“I’m sick of one-night stands?”
“Yeah, I’m hearing those words but I’m not comprehending them. I see some of the fine babes that walk out of your house, Cam. You’ve got your pick of the litter and are living the dream of every red-blooded heterosexual man.”
“There’s more to a man than the number of notches in his bedpost.”
“I mean, yeah, but when the notches are as fine as the ones you make, I’d think you’d be pretty fulfilled.”
I stare at the ceiling for a while. “I’m ready to settle down, man.”
“Really? You’re looking for something more permanent? You want to throw away this wonderful single life and just be a husband?”
“There isn’t anything wrong with loving just one woman. Sounds lovely if you ask me.”
“Dude, you’re still young. You’re not even thirty yet. There’s plenty of time to find a wife and have your two-point-five kids. I think if you rush into getting the ball and chain attached, you’re going to regret it. Plus, you know, most girls are only going to want one thing from you.” He grins. “And it’s disgusting.”
“My love and companionship?”
“Your money. Can’t trust a lot of women. Once they hear about your wealth, they’re going to want you to pop the question, no prenup, hoping if it goes south they get half of it and they’ll be set for life.”
I shake my head. “Not every woman is a money-grubbing succubus, Jonas. I can’t believe you even think that.”
He shakes his head right back. “It’s not that I think every woman is like that. It’s that I think every woman who wants you for more than a night of fun will be like that.”
“Yet you’re telling me I’m attractive enough to get a woman without my money.”
“Yeah, that’ll get them in the door, but they’ll never want to leave once they see your bank account.”
“I guess I’m less jaded than you are, Jonas. I know what I want out of life and I think it’s time I move towards it. I don’t want to be one of those old men who doesn’t start his family until he qualifies for retirement benefits."
“I don’t know, man. It seems like you’re throwing away a lot for this.”
“I have a great career, Jonas. I’m set for life. And I’ve always been a romantic at heart. I’m ready for the next step in my life. To find a wife. To start a family. And to start providing for the future. I just need to find the right woman to get the ball rolling.”
“Man, I just think you’re looking for trouble. Usually when someone hits their mid-life crisis, they start sleeping around and being reckless. You’re gonna have a quarter-life crisis by going out and being all responsible and normal and shit? It’s just weird.”
“Wanting a family and kids is weird now?”
“For you? Yeah it is. I don’t know, man. I just don’t want you to wind up racking up divroces down the line.”
“I guess I just have more faith than you, Jonas. Love isn’t impossible. It’s happened billions of times before or else we wouldn’t be here, would we?”
“Got a point there, I guess.” He sits up, and then pushes himself to his feet. “Want a refresher on your booze? Maybe If you get drunk enough you’ll gain a sense of clarity and reconsider all this.”
“Alcohol doesn’t work like that. But sure. Get me another tall boy.”
“It sure doesn't, but hey, you’re paying. Least I can do is be your butler.”
“Then shut it and get my beer, Reginald.” I clap my hands. “Chop, chop.”
“At once, monsieur.”
Jonas has the right to be jealous. I’m pretty lucky to be where I am. But even the luckiest of us have dreams for more than what we have.
I laugh at the idea that having a wife and kids is considered unusual to him. That I should just keep being a playboy and enjoy endless limousine rides and champagne.
But I know I’ve had my fill.