Michelle Murphy (29:20)
So I'm no longer interested in you guys. And so we return to our meal, and then one of them approaches us and he's like, hey, can I ask you a question? Like, what the hell? Why not? He looks at me in the eye and he said, does it hurt? And I said, what? Because that's how it goes, you know, It's a call and an answer. And he's like, does it hurt to bear the weight of a million souls? Because when I look in your eyes and your irises, I can see each and every one of the lives you've lived. And I was like, pull up a chair, you fucking freak. Like, well, I mean, that line didn't work on me, and one liners don't work. But it was so unhinged that I was like, you should join us for our supper now. Like, you're a fucking weirdo. And that's just interesting to talk to you. So he pulls up a chair, as does his friend. We learned that the guy who gave me the line actually has a girlfriend. Classic. That's always the case. But his friend did not. And his friend, honestly, the more they talked to us, the more I was like, shit, he is really hot. Even if he's like, young and dewy eyed, like, he's very sexy. He looked like a combination of, like, Robb Stark from Game of Thrones and then Nathan from One Tree Hill. If I do have any One Tree Hill girlies here, which, honestly, I should. And so we're gonna call him Nathan for legal purposes. So whatever. Nathan is very hot. His friend Frank is very insane, which I thought was fun. And they say they're like 22 or 23, that they live in Detroit. And we're like, having a time talking to them. And my friend and I keep joking. We're like, oh, we're like older women. We could have been your babysitters. And they're like, can you stop? We're trying to hit on you. Can you stop? Like, that's weird. Don't make that joke anymore. And we're like, okay, whatever, but we don't care. So we're like, we're gonna make the joke. And then we all enjoy our dinner, and it's a good time, and we're riffing, and then they ask us if we want to join them for a party. We're like, honestly, what the hell? We've done enough tonight. Let's just. Let's actually just keep going, you know? And so we get in an Uber, and we go to this bar, and we arrive at what is undeniably a college party. And I know this to be the case because a young woman approaches me, and she's like, fuck Northwestern. They think they're better than us. And I was like, yeah, like, fuck college. I left. And she was like, that is so fucking cool. And I was like, no, no. I, like, matriculated. I paid all the money. Now I don't have a job. Honestly, I kind of. I went through the system. It was a mistake. And she was like, I've stopped listening to you. So it was clear where we were. And we actually felt pretty energized by that, even though it was kind of horrifying. And we bought everybody at the bar fireball shots. Because we were like, college kids love fireball shots. Like, that's a fun way to live. Whereas before, I had written Hot Hotty Hot Nathan off for being unweathered by life, something in me. I start to see all these young women hanging off of him because he's hot, right? And there's something in me. This, like, competitive part of me just turned on. And I hadn't been that person in a long time. Cause, like, again, I'm not competitive. After a breakup, I'm just like, I'm gonna die. I'm brokenhearted. Like, I have. You know. But then the youngest child in me was like, I see this thing, and I want this thing. Like, I'm the baby of the family. I see this baby, and I want it. And that's the case. And so I turn to my friend, and I'm like, it's on. And she's like, honestly, I figured. Cause he's really hot. And, like, you're really broken, so I'm gonna go home. And I was like, great. Good call. Thank you so much. Right? So she leaves Nathan. And I. I basically signaled to him. I'm like, I have changed my mind. So the night continues. We have fun. We go to all these bars. I run into some college friends. They're like, who is that? I'm like, don't worry about it. I'm on my journey. And then it's. We're tired, and it's Time. So. So we take a lift back to his Airbnb, and Frank, his friend, has passed out inside the Airbnb. And so we're knocking, we're ringing the doorbell. Frank has the keys, and he is just knocked out. KO'd, as the kids say. Or I think that's what millennials say, because that's what we would say, so whatever. And we're like, shit. And we try to, like, actually scale the building to see if there's a side window we can climb in. It's not working. Instead, we're looking into all these other strangers windows and witnessing their St. Patrick's Day, and it is honestly chaos. We're like, okay, this is not working. And he says, you know, I'm getting us a hotel room. I was like, honestly, that feels a little young male gigolo to me. And he was like, fine, but I have to sleep somewhere regardless. Like, I'm doing this with or without you. I would really like it if you were there. And I was like, okay, sure. So we go to this hotel that is just so hip, it's so bizarre. Like, there's wallpaper all over the place. There's a little robot that zooms up to you and gives you cold brew or beer. I'm like, what the fuck? I'm like, in a WeWork at 1:00am I don't know what is going on. And as we checked in, there was this really cute gay receptionist. And I kind of felt like he gave me a head nod of like, you go, girl. Good for you. Maybe I projected it, but I really felt like we bonded because I was with a hot boy. And so we go up to the hotel room and we start hooking up. And then it's like getting to that point, you get it, how those things work. And I was like, do you have a condom? And he was like, no. And I was like, oh, well, yeah, you're gonna need one, man. He was like, okay, that's fair. Yeah, okay, I will go to get one. And I was like, yes, yes, you shall. And best of luck. And so he leaves. And then 20 minutes go by, and I'm like, that's normal. That's how long it takes to complete a task. At minimum, you know, whatever. And then 40 minutes goes by, and I'm like, that's a little bit longer than I would have expected. We are in a cosmopolitan city that surely has struck doors around. And then an hour goes by, and I'm like, it's like Sunk Cost Fallacy, where, because I've been waiting I keep thinking he's about to come in the door. So, like, I'm not turning on the tv. I'm not texting my friend. I'm like, I need to stay ready, you know, like, stay focused. And then two hours goes by and I am terrified. And then I notice he leaves without his cell phone and without his jacket. Now, this is a March evening in Chicago, right? So usually there is snow on the ground in Chicago for St. Patrick's Day. I did not notice that he left without these critical items because I was in a different state of mind. But he does. So I call down to the receptionist, and I'm like, hi, I'm the one who checked in with that guy. I never do this, but I was about to propose to my boyfriend, and he broke up with me over email. And which was, like, totally unnecessary context. Like, I did not need to share that with a receptionist. And also, I used to do this. I used to do when I say, you know, like, I don't know why I was like, I'm this. I'm pious, but, like, this is different. And he was like, honey, that was so long ago. I sent him to the 7 11, and it's just down the street, like, come down here right now. We gotta figure this out. And I'm like, okay. And so I leave the hotel room without my shoes on because I feel so comfortable here now. I've made a home in this hotel and with this receptionist. So I go downstairs, and the receptionist is with all his drag queen friends because they've just come to a performance. So we're all having a kiki around the reception desk, and they're like, tell us about him. And I was like, well, he's a child and he's missing. And, like, I don't know what to do. And so we're all conferring, and I realize it just. It gets so real. I'm like, I have to tell his parents that he was murdered. And I have to be like, I was the last one your son saw. I don't know a lot about your son. I know that he was hot and that I am sorry he is dead. And that is the eulogy that's a wrap for me. And so I'm so fucking anxious. I'm responsible for this kid. And the receptionist and I finally are like, it's time to call the police or Child Protective Services or the police. Honestly, he was 23, so, like, I need to, like, not, you know, it's not like a pizza gate, whatever, you know, Anyways, so We reach to call, and right as we're reaching, the phone rings, and the receptionist picks up, and the sister hotel, which is two miles away, it's like, hello. Is there a tall attract? Everybody knows he's hot. Everybody keeps referencing that he's hot. They're like, not just like, is there a customer? They're like, is there an attractive customer who checked in there who should not be here? But he has wandered in here, and we were like, yes, like, put his fine ass in a car and send him home, honey. And so they're like, okay, we're gonna, like, return him to you. So. Receptionist hangs up. I turn to all the drag queens, and I'm like, scram. Because I know that he's gonna be so embarrassed, right? And they're like, we got it. And so they, like, click off in their heels. Everybody, like, you know, and, oh, my God, he walks in the door, and I don't remember the last time I saw anyone look so ashamed. And again, I'm a recovering Catholic, so that is a very powerful statement. And so his head is literally hanging. Like, he just. He just looks so defeated. And he slowly walks up to us, and he and I hug, and he and the reception receptionist hug, and the receptionist and I hug, and then the three of us hug because, like, we care about each other now. You know, we've gone through this gauntlet, and I, like, want him to get into a good college and pass his SATs and all that. And so we're all just having a moment, and then I'm like, well, he's still really hot, so I'm still pretty game to smash, even though I'm pretty tired. And I've gone through an emotional roller coaster. So we go back up to the room, and we're talking, and then we start leading in. And then he pauses, and he's like, hey, can we. Can we not have sex tonight? And I was like, of course. Them's the rules, you know, like, if you don't want to have sex, then you don't have to have sex. Also, just want to check you're the one who wandered the streets for two hours looking for a condom. How are you? Are you okay? Like, how am I? How are we? And he was like, yeah, that was a mood killer. But also, I think it's just that I've been sleeping with a lot of women lately, and it just feels really intimate to have sex. And I think what I'd rather do is I'd rather date, and I'd really like to date you. And I was like, oh my God. So internally, I didn't say all this out loud, but I was just like, what the fuck? I finally am ready to smash. I'm finally ready to be a rebound girly. Like, this is so difficult. And I'm there and, you know, he's expressing his needs and that's cute for him or whatever. And like, fine. Also, we do not live in the same city. Like, in what world? And he didn't need to give me a platitude to be like, oh, I like you enough to date. You know, he could have just been like, it's been a long night. I think we should leave this hotel. Cause it was already, you know, 3:30 or whatever. So I told him that I was really proud of him for speaking to his desires or whatever. Gen Z, I like it. They're saying what they want. That is cute. And we should have done more of that. And so I was like, I'm glad you're saying that. Where I'm at is that I just want something casual. I was nearly affianced, and then I wasn't. So also, again, babe, neither of us live here in Chicago, so there's that. And he was like, yeah, I understand. I was like, but you know what? Let's just hang out for a little bit longer. I'll hold you or whatever. That'll be fine. And so we keep hanging out and talking, but then we start hooking up and we start making out. And then one thing leads to another. I mean, I guess I'll just, like, level with you. It turns into him eating my ass for two hours.