Laura: there was nothing left

Alicia and I met a few months ago in a creative writing class and we hit it off instantly. She’s funny, smart, nice and beautiful.

We quickly fell into this tradition, if you can call a two month habit a tradition, of swapping notes after class and then come to this coffee shop to talk for hours about this and that, but mostly about literature and sometimes men. Yeah that’s right, I’m gay.
You thought I was going to confess my deep crush on Alicia? She’s adorable but, no. I’m gay. I’m into guys. Handsome and interesting guys. Funny thing, Alicia has all those qualities, maybe that’s why I like her so much, except she’s a girl and… she’s not disabled. Yeah, I forgot to mention that I like handsome, interesting and disabled guys, especially guys in wheelchairs.
My girl Alicia knows I’m gay, but she doesn’t know I like disabled guys, it’s not like I tell that to everyone I meet. Not everyone gets it. Hell, I don’t get it!
Anyway, if she proves to be worthy, I might tell her in the future, but I’m not there yet.

Alicia is immersed in her cell phone texting, while giggling nonstop. It pisses me off to no end when people are completely focused on their phone when they’re supposed to be having a nice real life conversation!

“Hey, are we gonna have a conversation, or do I leave you alone with your lover?” I say, glaring at her cell phone.

“Sorry,” she says still giggling, “It’s just that Juan is telling me the most hilarious story.”
She’s mentioned this Juan guy before. Many times actually. He’s like her best friend since college or something.

“Why don’t you ask him to come here so you guys can include me in your conversation, huh?” I say somewhat sarcastically, but hoping that she takes my word and does invite him.

I’m slightly curious about this guy. She always speaks highly of him. He seems like he could be a pleasant person, judging by how much she’s giggling over what he’s texting. He might be gay too, I mean, what straight guy is a girl’s best friend for so long?

She takes the bait. “You know? I’ll invite him. I’ve been meaning to introduce you guys. Let me ask him if he can make it.”

Thirty eight minutes later, tall, dark and handsome comes rolling in. My jaw literally drops and I can’t seem to close my mouth no matter how hard I try.

I can’t believe it! This is the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. And he’s in a wheelchair! I think that God went into my dreams and took the mold to make this perfection of a man just for me.

Dear God, Please let him be gay! If he’s not, then this is some twisted joke that only you would find funny.

My jaw locks even more tightly into that uncomfortable position, and drool starts falling from my mouth, as I noticed that the epitome of perfection rolls directly to our table.

Alicia stands up with the most genuine and wide smile she’s ever worn on that beautiful face of hers, and walks to meet him halfway. She bends down to give him a hug and a peck on the cheek.

I’m still frozen in place when they get to our table. I can’t seem to snap out of my state of hypnosis.

“Jay, this is my dear friend Juan. Juan, this is my dear friend Jay,” Alicia says.

Juan grabs one of the empty chairs on our table with one hand, and effortlessly lifts it putting it to the side. I see his bulging bicep and I feel very close to having a heart attack in this instant.

After he rolls under the table he directs his attention to me and says, “Nice to meet you, man!” Juan extends his hand and stares at me waiting for me to shake it. I slowly realize this, so I lift my trembling hand to shake his. “You too,” is all I can muster to say. He gives me a strong manly shake, too manly for my liking, I must say. I try to smile and look interesting/sexy, but I know I must look like I’m having a panic attack right now, because that’s exactly what’s happening.

Someone get me one of those paper bags! Breathe Jay! In and out. In and out.

As the conversation moves forward, I start to relax, which I’m glad of, because if I want to impress Juan, I really need to step it up a notch. I’ve been fucking panicking this whole time, unable to say anything more that monosyllables.

Juan is indeed a very pleasant and funny guy. He can also talk about literature at our level, even though he’s not studying it like Alicia and me. Did I mention he’s gorgeous? Oh yeah, I did. I think I’m in love.

As we’re deep in  conversation, Alicia suddenly stands up and excuses herself to go to the bathroom. This is my chance. I’m ready to attack… Except my pray is paying no attention to me. I follow his gaze and, surprise! his dreamy eyes are following Alicia’s slim body all the way to the bathroom.

Fuck! He has that look… he’s in love with her.

Okay God: You. Me. Out. Right now!

***
Alicia and Juan are together now. I’m not going to say that I’m ecstatic about how things turned out. I think I still have a slight crush on him, but I’m happy for them. Actually I had something to do with them getting together. I’m a romantic sap after all. I guess there was nothing left to do, but help my crush, get the girl of his dreams