Disco Inferno

I was slowly digging myself a grave. First, it was the pitcher of Miller Lite that followed every loss. That was compounded by a newfound habit I developed of smoking cloves on a daily basis. I knew things were getting out of control when I began frequenting strip clubs just to get my mind off of things even though I abhored that industry. The final salvo that almost changed my life drastically started with a woman at the mall and ended hours later in my apartment. It's a night that I'll never forget.

A week into preseason training, I declared to my players that they had the makings of a championship team. I took it a step further on another occasion telling them that they could end up being the most special group I would ever have the privilege of coaching. Three years later I still remember that team, but it's for all the wrong reasons. We started off 0-3 that season. The third loss was a 52 point ass-whooping on the road that came out of nowhere. I took the loss hard.

Midway through the season, we were still floundering. I was at a loss for how to right the ship. The mid-semester break couldn't  have come soon enough. One evening after work I decided to go shopping for Christmas gifts at the mall. I came upon a gift that I didn't expect. It was the kind of gift that keeps on giving. 

While I was in the food court ordering a meal, I noticed a young woman (Mish) looking at me. Mish was clearly waiting for me to notice her. I returned her glance. Soon thereafter, we began talking. During that exchange Mish offered her phone number to me and asked if I could call in a couple of hours. She wanted to head out in the city after her shift. I was game. It was too good to be true.

I ignored the 48 hour rule and called Mish as she had asked me to. It was around 11 p.m. when I called. Mish said she'd take a half hour to get ready. Two hours later, an hour before the bars closed, Mish told me she was ready to head out. I knew what the meant.

Before picking her up, I decided that we wouldn't have sex. My intuition told me not to go there. She asked if we could head to my apartment for drinks. I heeded her wish. While we were drinking, Mish suddenly became emotional. She started crying.  A night that had such great potential suddenly became  really weird.

Mish: I'm such a horrible person. You must think I'm some kind of slut.
Me: (lying) No. No. Not at all. Did I say something to make you think that? You're the one who wanted to come through at 1 a.m. I thought we were going out for drinks.
Mish: It's not you. I just have a lot on my mind. I'm such a horrible person. I suck!
Me: It's really not that serious. I can take you back home.
Mish: No. I need your company. You seem like a nice guy.
Me: I don't really know you like that.
Mish: You just give me a nice vibe. Please don't make me leave.
Me: Umm.. What?!? Do you have a boyfriend or something?
Mish: No. Well, sort of. I don't know. I don't know what we are. We just met a couple of weeks ago.
Me: So then what's the problem?
Mish: I'm horrible. Awful. I don't deserve to live. I met him at a club. We went home afterwards and had sex.
Me: Why are you telling me all of this???? I don't understand.
Mish: I think I gave him herpes!