A Night Alone

My girlfriend was out of town last weekend. I didn’t mind the weekend alone. Saturday, I went for a long run, cleaned my apartment, and put in some serious hours on my PS4. I had an early dinner, watched Succession, and all signs were pointing to an early bed time…until I got the itch.

I never get the itch. I’m always able to curb my desires and temper the appetite I have. If I’m not able to…well, that’s what my girlfriend is for. I knew I needed to hit the streets – this wasn’t going to go away. As I descended down my apartment stairs, I felt a great sense of guilt. I peered around each corner in hopes that I wouldn’t be seen making this late-night voyage.

First, I headed north. It’s a higher traffic area, and I knew I’d be more likely to find success in that direction. I made it a few blocks, but nothing caught my eye. I peered left and headed towards 2nd Avenue. My moral compass seemed to be failing me as I wandered the streets of temptation – I saw a few options that made me stop momentarily, but nothing that I wouldn’t regret in the morning.

I had a moment of clarity – I knew how disappointed my girlfriend would be if she found out. I immediately made another left and began my journey homeward. What was I thinking? I could wait until she was back in a few days. I had to.

But then, as I arrived at 1st Avenue, I was ready to throw my morality out the window. Dressed in neon colors that perfectly illuminated in the night sky was a standing representation of allure. I knew I had to have it. I began to fantasize as I approached, thinking of the temporary pleasure and ignoring the long-term consequences. But my girlfriend kept coming back to mind. What if she returned and found the evidence in the trash – covered in a night-old, sticky, white coat of guilt?

Instead of going home, I made one more left, a responsible choice, and headed to the fruit stand. It wasn’t what I was craving, but it would have to do. In the sanctitude of relationships, there are some lines that can’t be crossed. Despite how tempting 16 Handles looked, there was no way I could get ice cream without my girlfriend.