I want someone to open up. Someone who understands me. I can’t find that. I don’t understand.’ These women were jaded. Hurt. Angry. Never again... they said. It’s over, James told himself through clenched teeth. I’m finished playing the ‘good guy.’ I don’t want another man’s sloppy seconds. I don’t want the sad, empty, hollow woman who gave her very best to a man who never deserved it. If this is how the game is played, then let’s begin. Blow the whistle. I’m ready. James was a cauldron of. ‘I hear they serve wonderful lunches,’ his driver said coolly, sensing James’ immediate distaste. ‘I hope so,’ James replied. ‘On the plus side, I’m not paying.’ He stepped out of the car and headed into the small restaurant. The inside wasn’t much more to look at than the outside. It was small and dark with only a few dingy windows in the corners. A delightful aroma wafted from the kitchen, however, and the few people dining were better dressed than he was. ‘James!’ a voice from a far table. " she said with a laugh. We got in and she started driving towards her apartment that she shared with one of her old friends from high school. We got back to her place and she stopped me just outside her door, looked up at me and said, "I really can't believe you're here, I never believed you were real, just some fantasy that my mind created." I smiled and said, "Well, you're better than any fantasy I have ever had.", as I pulled her close for another kiss. This time she was the one to pull. Everything I ever learned from my grandmother says this is happiness for you both. Here, I’ll show you.’ Leona stood up and returned with her worn cards, ‘I know you don’t doubt me, since we’ve known each other most of our lives. You once asked me to do this for you. I brushed it off at the time, and said that it wasn’t a parlor game for bored people.’ She smiled apologetically, ‘You know how I love you, my old friend. I’ve always been doing this for you, though you’ve never known it, because.