“Nonsense! Who told you that?” Gerri growled.
“Oh, it’s not important.”
“Of course, it is! I have a nephew who creates video games, and I will have you know, I think they are just fantastic. They allow people from all walks of life to experience a world beyond their own reality or creative imaginings. You are an artist, Annalia. Don’t let anyone tell you differently,” the older woman said firmly.
“Wow,” she exhaled, “thank you. I appreciate that, Gerri.”
“You sound surprised,” Gerri reached for her tea, “Surely, you have friends or other family who feel the same?”
“Actually, I don’t. I mean, I have a sister, but Sandra is a little bit out of the loop. She’s been married to this rich guy ever since she finished high school. Our parents both died that same year.”
“I am so sorry, dear.”
“That’s okay. They were good people, but Dad made some bad investments. Glenn pulled us out of the hole. He is weird about what he considers art,” she sipped the fresh mint tea, sighing as the warm liquid soothed her throat, “I don’t want to sound like a complainer, I am grateful for them both. They did help pay some of my college tuition. But I guess, that’s why they think they have the right to criticize.”
“Family can be strange like that,” Gerri agreed.
“I have been paying them back though. In fact, I will be finished this month. Still, I couldn’t live there another minute. They don’t approve of my job or the fact I refuse to stay home and watch their son. Like my lifestyle is somehow bad,” she scoffed.
“Oh no? And what kind of life do they think you should have?”
“Theirs, I guess. That is, they think I should quit my job, and live in their house so I can watch their kids and listen to them tell me what’s wrong with me,” Annalia growled and shook her head.
“Wait. I don’t get it. What’s wrong with you?” Gerri asked, confused.
Annalia looked down at her chubby body folded up on Gerri’s couch. What wasn’t wrong with her? That was more likely the question.
“Well, I’m a mess. I wear baggy sweats most of the time. My hair is too thick and frizzy. My allergies prevent me from wearing most makeup, so I go without. I want to find a good man, but according to Sandra, I will never be acceptable material for any man to seriously consider and I might as well not try.”
“Oh, honey! That is awful, and so not true,” the older woman pursed her lips, but her eyes were all sympathy.
“Not all of it is false, I mean I do look a fright.”
“Well, that part is easy. You can always get a makeover, but only if you want it,” she said with emphasis.
“I am an artist, but I have no ideas about style,” she shrugged.
“It’s easy,” Gerri waved her hand in the air, bringing attention to her own chic pantsuit, “Just wear what makes you feel good and you will look good too. It is all about confidence, my dear.”
For the first time, Annalia considered whether she was interested in something like a makeover, or shopping in general. The truth was, she didn’t like her sister’s manipulations and criticism. Could that be why she hated looking for new clothes?
Yeah. It really could be. Sandra meant well, but she was forever putting Annalia down. Her sister was thin, blonde, and hardly ever had a hair out of place. She was her total opposite.
Curvy, curly frizzy hair, dark eyes, and a big mouth. That was her. Annalia could never capture attention like Sandra did from the opposite sex.
“I’ve never found the right styles for a figure like mine. I guess, I hide behind my sweats. It’s easier that way, and Sandra always made shopping unpleasant. It doesn’t matter, I mean I am home all day anyway,” she began.
“I do believe in being comfortable, but there is nothing wrong with looking sexy now and then,” the older woman laughed, “you just have to know where to shop for ladies who look like us.”
“I suppose, but honestly, looking sexy isn’t a concern these days.”
“Why not?”
“Gerri, my sex life is about as exciting as my wardrobe,” Annalia laughed aloud.
“How do you mean? Don’t you like sex?” the older woman seemed interested.
“Like it? Sure, I mean, I have liked it. But to figure out what I like now, I would have to actually engage in some sex with another person,” she blushed again.
“How long are we talking here since you had good sex?”
“Oh hell,” she almost choked on her tea, “Oops. I am sorry, I have a potty mouth now and then.”
“Girl, please,” Gerri laughed, “I know curse words that would make you blush!”
“Oh good,” she sighed, “I wouldn’t want to offend you. Anyway, it hasn’t been that long. I am not a virgin or anything, but the last time I got naked with a man was less than remarkable.”
“Hmm, well it seems to me you need a new perspective,” Gerri’s blue eyes twinkled, and she leaned forward, “How about you let me set you up on a date?”
“What? Who? Me?”
“A date, and yes, you,” Gerri replaced her cup on its saucer and clapped her hands, “Annalia, if you allow me, I promise I will find you the perfect man for you.”
“A perfect man for me? I don’t think he exists,” she began, but the idea was tempting.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to meet someone who was genuinely interested in her? To talk to a man who wanted to hear what she had to say? And then, of course, there was the whole sex thing. She could hardly recall the last time she’d seen an actual penis.
Sigh. Thank god for her top drawer. Without those few choice adult toys purchased discreetly over the years, Annalia would never get her freak on. Hell, she wouldn’t even know what an orgasm was.
“Dear, he exists, believe me.”
“Then what would the perfect man want with me? Gerri, I have no delusions about myself. I know I am cute, but in today’s world, I’m also considered fat. And I have a terrible time with new people. I’m shy.”
“Nonsense,” Gerri growled, “you are a lovely woman. Now, what do you want in a man?”
“How about someone who wants to be with me? Frizzy hair, sweatpants, belly rolls, big thighs, and all?”
“I don’t think that will be a problem, but you may want to wear something other than sweats on your first date,” she laughed, “What else?”
“How about someone who appreciates that I have an actual appetite for food? I mean, Gerri, I like salad, but I am not a rabbit. I won’t live on it. The last man I went out with tried to make me promise to go on a diet on the very first date.”
“That man sounds like an ass,” Gerri’s eyes glowed again before she continued, “Annalia, I swear that will not happen. I will introduce you to big, gorgeous, growly men who adore women with real bodies. My clients love curves, and the man I introduce you to will love yours.”
“Really?”
“Yes,” she returned, “Tell me, what do you know about Shifters?”
“Shifters? You mean like Werewolves?”
“No, I mean like Shifters,” Gerri smirked.