Page 14 of Over Time Advantage

I send her a photo of my hand holding the wine glass. My hands are huge, as are most quarterbacks’ hands. I’m hoping she likes that. Most women do.

Diane: And Philly?

Lloyd: How the heck do I prove that? I don’t live next to the Liberty Bell.

Diane: Get creative, Lloyd.

I walk into my house and look around. Running my fingers through my hair, I rack my brain trying to figure out how to prove it to her. My eyes catch a framed jersey of Kennedy’s hanging on the wall. Owning a Philly Beavers jersey might prove I live in Philly, but it’s too close to home. She might figure out who I am. But a more generic Philly jersey isn’t a bad idea.

I make my way up to Pierce’s room and open the door. The horrific stench hits my nose like a fist to the face. Did something die in here…ten years ago? It’s like a scent between body odor and expired food with a dash of sweaty feet sprinkled on top.

His floor is covered in various piles of clothing. I think there are more clothes on the floor than in his closet. There are empty food containers everywhere. I feel like I need plastic gloves just to touch anything. My father would have had my ass if I had left my room like this.

I grab a baseball bat and reluctantly and carefully use it to sift through the clothing until I find a Philly Cougars jersey. A professional baseball jersey shouldn’t tip her off at all. Most of the people in this city own a Cougars jersey.

I send a picture of it on top of a pile of dirty clothes.

Lloyd: Proving I live in Philly AND have a disgusting teenage son all in one.

Diane: LOL. Okay, I believe you. Tell me about yourself.

Lloyd: I’m a divorced dad of two. I have a son and a daughter. I’ve been divorced for a few years but haven’t dated at all.

Diane: Why not?

Isn’t that a loaded question?

Lloyd: I’m not sure. I guess I’m a little damaged from my marriage and subsequent divorce, and dating with kids at home is hard.

I send the response, hoping it satisfies her and that she doesn’t prod further.

Diane: I get that. Same for me. I have a little girl. Not quite a teenager yet, but sometimes she has the attitude of one. What do you do for fun, Lloyd?

Lloyd: I like to line dance, just like you.

Diane: Can I admit that I’ve never line danced before? I was just having a little fun on the app.

I smile, knowing she made that up for her profile.

Lloyd: Maybe I should take you sometime. I happen to be an expert.

Diane: Maybe. What else do you enjoy?

Lloyd: Watching my kids play sports. Sitting with a good bottle of wine. I’m kind of boring. I’m also not doing a good job of selling myself to you.

Diane: That’s pretty much all I do too. I guess it’s my age. How old are you, Lloyd? You only checked the over forty box.

Lloyd: Old enough that pulling an all-nighter means not getting up to pee three times.

Diane: LOL. You’re funny, Lloyd.

Not exactly how people would describe me, but I’ll take it.

I enjoy another sip of wine as I look down at my phone and catch my reflection in it. I realize I’m smiling. I’m not a big smiler, but I can’t seem to help it. This is fun. Aside from spending time with Kennedy today, talking to Fallon like this is making me happier than I’ve been in a long time.

Lloyd: I like talking to you, Diane.

Diane: Me too, Lloyd. What are you doing this weekend?