Page 58 of Someone to Remember
“At least you’re out there meeting people and having some fun.”
“It’s not as much fun as I make it out to be.”
“Really?”
“Nah. It’s the same bullshit you’re seeing on the apps, only in person. In some ways, that makes it worse because they’re lying right to your face, hoping to get laid.”
She’s slept with a couple of them, but still hasn’t felt a connection with anyone, so she keeps looking and hoping.
“Was it like this when we were dating before?” I ask her.
“Not like this. It’s gotten kinda feral out there. My single friends say the same thing. Guys aren’t interested in relationships. They want one thing and one thing only—and will say and do whatever it takes to get it.”
“That’s profoundly depressing.”
“Yep.”
“So what’s the point of even bothering if that’s the playing field?”
“What else should we do? Curl up in a ball and give up?”
“That’s actually sounding pretty good to me right about now.”
“Today was a shit day. I’ll give you that. But we can’t give up.”
“Why not?”
“Because! You’re in your early thirties, Brielle. You’ve gotdecades left to live, and you can’t exist solely for your child, who’ll grow up and leave you eventually.”
“My Charlie will never leave me.”
“Whatever you say. Come on. Try, will ya?”
“If I must.”
“You must. And remember, a lot of people have met their one through the apps. It just takes time and patience.”
“I’ve got the time. It’s the patience that’s the problem.”
“Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
“Are you reading self-help books again?”
Naomi laughs. “Always, but that’s the truth, and you know it.”
“All right already. I’ll keep looking.”
“There’s got to beonediamond in the rough.”
“I guess we’ll see. Are we still meeting on Wednesday?”
“Iris said it’s still on,” Naomi says, “and she’d let us know if anything changes.”
“I’m sure she’s been with Taylor nonstop. I worry about the toll it takes on her.”
“She’s always there for everyone.”
“That’s what worries me. When does it become too much, you know?”
