Babel Novel
29
Monica was the one who spoke. “Urmmm… So Emma, I wanted to ask you… Is your friend Tom seeing anyone?”
“Tom Casey?… No he is not… At least not anyone that I know of. Why are you asking… You wanna ask him out?”
“yeah”
“Wow… That’s new. I remember one time I told you he wanted to go out with you, you said he looked like a nerd. You said he wasn’t your type… If I remember correctly… So what happened?”
“Hey” Monica said. “People change their minds.. Okay?… Especially when certain people start looking hot all of a sudden. I don’t know.. Maybe he started working out of something.. I guess”
“Oh Monica ” Karen said. “I really think you should do it”
“Of Course you do.” Emma said. “You know you are the last person anyone should come to for advice because you suck at it”
“Because I tell people to do what they want?” Karen replied. “You know it’s not my fault you are such a wuss”
“Oh I’m a wuss?… well you are a…..”
“Hey hey hey. Let’s talk about my problem before you both start tearing each other apart. Should I ask him out or not?. Monica said.
“You should” Karen said.
“I wanted to ask you, Emma, since he is your friend, you are closer to him and you work at the same office. What kind of stuff does he like… Do you think I should go straight to the point and just ask him out.. Or do I give him something that looks casual but also let’s him know my intentions?”Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
“Wow” Emma said. “Sometimes I wish I could just be that bold. I just don’t know how you guys do it”
“like I said before” Karen said. “you can’t bring yourself to do it because you are a wu…”
“I swear to God, Karen, if you complete what you are about to say I am going to kill you” Emma said
Monica and Karen laughed.
“I really hope he says yes. If he says no I’m going to hide in my closet for a week” Monica said
“He will say yes”. Emma said. “He has always liked you. But you were too busy playing hard to get”
“Look who is talking about people playing hard to get.. Pot calling kettle black”. Karen retorted.
“My situation is entirely different”
“No it’s not.. It’s the same thing” Karen said.
“You know what you should get him” Emma said ignoring Karen. “Those golf themed desk set things. What are the chances he plays golf?”
“That’s your idea?” Karen said.”Wow… sexual frustration can really cloud good judgment, both for gift giving and choosing dates.”
“Screw you, Karen” Emma said laughing
“shouldn’t you be saying that to Daniel?”
Emma looked like she wanted to fling something at her. “Fine” she said. “If my idea is so bad, what do you have in mind?”
“You could get him some chocolates. Who doesn’t love those?”
” That’s sounds okay ” Emma said nodding her head.
“Chocolate-covered sex.” Karen added.
Emma stared at her.” You just had to add that didn’t you? ”
Monica couldn’t help laughing.”okay you guys”. She said. “All great ideas, but I want something that also let’s him know I want something more. If I get him chocolates he might just think I’m just trying to be nice… Or maybe I should just get the chocolate.. Like a pound”
Emma smiled. “You are buying him a whole pound of nothing but chocolate-covered sex?”
“It’s a litmus test.” Monica said.” If he gets what a great gift it is, then I take it as a sign he might be good in bed.”
Her eyes lit up. “I should start doing that with all my dates.”
Emma sighed.
Monica continued. “It is kind of a chintzy gift, though. Maybe I need a little something that declares my intentions subtly but clearly to go with it.”
“Right”. Karen added. “Something that could be interpreted as completely innocent or down and dirty, depending on his mind-set.”
“What? like a jar of Vaseline?” Emma joked.
“Ew.” Karen said. “On second thought, guys are kind of dense. Maybe you need to be loud and clear about your intentions. Maybe throw in a cute sex toy, and he will get the hint.”
“A nice big dildo?” Monica asked.
Emma held her head in her hands. She stared at the both of them and said. “How the hell am I friends with you guys?”
“Would you guys be serious for five seconds?”. Monica said. “I know a little sex shop a few blocks from here. How about a pair of furry handcuffs?”
“Hell yeah” Karen said. Jumping from her seat.
“You coming, Emma?” Monica asked
“Yeah I am”
“Good” said Karen. “And while we are out there, You can get a few stuff for your next time with Daniel”
“what?”
“You heard me girl. I know you. And I have never seen you with any guy the way you are with Daniel. Trust me. You guys are not done yet. Despite what you say”
—————————————
They walked out into the bustling sidewalk traffic outside the downtown mall and headed west toward the little upscale sex shop where Monica was sure to find any and every sexy gift imaginable. At the corner they stopped to wait for the light to change.
A cold breeze blew between the tall buildings, and Emma wrapped her long red scarf a few times around her neck and buttoned her coat. They picked up their pace, and in a matter of minutes were at the sex shop.
Inside, seventies dance tunes played over the speakers, and aisle after aisle of every sex toy, accessory and undergarment imaginable stood on display.
Emma hesitated at the entrance. Karen grabbed Emma’s hand and tugged her toward the vibrator section while Monica laughed.
Monica picked up a large, nubby hot-pink one from the top shelf and weighed it in her hand. “Might not be the greatest gift for a guy, but I, for one, would love to get this as a gift.”
“I’m not buying you a sex toy as a gift… As anything ,” Emma said.
“And that’s the difference between you and me. I would buy one for you,” Karen said putting her arms around Monica. She said it as seriously as if she were offering to donate a vital organ.
Karen and Monica saw the look on Emma’s face and laughed
“That’s so touching.” Emma said sarcastically
“No, honey” Karen said as she clicked the on button, and the toy in her hand hummed to life. “That’s vibrating”