The Things We Crave

Chapter Four

Vincent is sitting with Brad and Tammy in first class in a plane bound for Southern California towards Tammy’s hometown.  He sits with the seat tilted back, with his fingers laced behind his head, and foot resting on his knee while gazing out the window. He fidgets in his seat and bounces his leg. He’s anxious, restless, tired, and grumpy. He hasn’t been sleeping well and on edge since he made the decision to settle down and look for a wife. To prove to Brad, and himself, that he is serious about this, he got rid of all his part-time lovers. He hasn’t had s*x in two weeks. He did not realize he would feel this terrible; he even visited his doctor.

Turns out he really was addicted to s*x. He thought Brad was just messing with him, but apparently, it’s a real thing. His doctor said his body is going through classic signs of withdrawal. His body has become dependent on the hormone, dopamine, released during s*x. The doctor told him the best thing he can do is go without for awhile to reset his body. A term called “rebooting”. He recommended setting small goals so not to get discouraged. Vincent chose to make weekly goals of no s*x or m**********n. He made it three days before touching himself in the shower. His dreams have gotten vivid and he woke to a mess the other night. He joined a support group and started working out at a private gym. He no longer visits his clubs, only doing conference calls or having meetings at a restaurants.

His urges were all over the place, he found if  he counted back from ten when he felt one coming on, he could resist it. Unfortunately, he has been having mood swings making him unapproachable. He started to drink more and became antisocial. Other than that, he feels healthier and had a clearer mind to focus on his work. He even had all his female employees have a dress code.

He went on a few dates with women from clients who have attended charity banquets that were previously held at one of their clubs. Things went well, however, they were just…boring. Stuffy, snooty, and about as interesting as a book about fishing from a barrel. They were materialistic and shallow. They didn’t like the fact he owned “strip” clubs. He repeatedly had to correct them, “They are gentlemen’s club, there’s a difference. Higher clienteles.”

He was disappointed, but his thoughts kept wandering to Tammy’s sister. The way she talked about her sister pricked his curiosity. He knew from the picture he found her attractive. He did tend to gravitate toward the bad girl type. His mind drifted to how she would look in black leather and knee-high boots.

 He shook his head to bring him back to the present. He sit up and stretches. He turns to Tammy. “So, Tammy, do you happen to know if your sister is single?”

“I’m not sure, to be honest. Mom said her friend called saying she saw a picture of Catherine in a tabloid with a celebrity. I’m mean it could be true, she pretty enough. She seems to be unaware of how beautiful she actual is. She has always thought she was fat. Unfortunately, when you’re surrounded by skinny, perfectly tanned 20-year-olds in southern California, you would feel that way. Being a ginger on the beach is sunburn nightmare. She has somehow managed to avoid the common speckling of freckles as most of us get.” Tammy says stroking a finger across her cheekbones and the bridge of her nose.

“Aww, I happen to like your freckles.” Brad chuckles and kisses her cheek.

She smiles as her cheek turn pink. “Anyway, I doubt she would take on a new boyfriend any time soon. She caught her last boyfriend cheating, plus she’s been taking care of Mom. She is really close to her so her being sick is really stressing her out. Mom got her a new bike for her birthday in hopes to get her outside again. She used to race when she was younger. Man! I was so jealous of her achievements. Mine were usually academic, not physical. Which surprised me when she got a degree to be a pencil pusher. She only went to college to appease Mom. She always said it was something to fall back on. After changing her major twenty times she graduated with an impressive GPA. It’s a shame it is going to waste right now.”

“She has a degree? Wow, the way you talk about her make her sound exciting. Too bad she isn’t interested in a relationship.” Vincent said feeling disappointed.

He turns to look out the window. He crosses his arms and puts his foot back on his knee.

“How did those date go? Wouldn’t you want to find a woman closer to home? I can tell you right now, Catherine won’t leave Mom’s side until she gets better or dies.“ Tammy asks.

 “They went all right, I guess. They weren’t what I was looking for. Who knows, Catherine and I may hit it off. I could get an apartment there. I have been looking at starting a new club near LA anyways. It could work out.” Vincent says optimistically.

Brad chuckles as Tammy snorts a heavy sigh. “I see I can’t talk you out of it, you are definitely stubborn when you have your mind set on something. If you insist on pursuing my sister, let me give you some advice. She’s unpredictable, and high strung. She has always been independent and strong-willed. She is nothing like the women you’ve been with before. She won’t fall in line with a snap of your fingers in fact if you try it, she may rebel. You’ll have to earn her respect, don’t just expect it from her. You can thank our father for that. She lives up to our feisty nature from our Scottish lineage. If you think you’re up for that, I won’t stand in your way anymore.”

A sense of contentment rises in his soul. He was dreading this wedding, but now he has something to look forward too. He grins like a fool. The seat buckle light turns on, indicating it time to land. They buckle as the flight attendants do a check before going to their seats. The plane touches down and soon they are on their way to resort where the reception to Brad’s wedding will be held. It’s going to be a long week before he’ll get to meet Catherine.