This morning I was woken up by one of my roommates, Meredith, screaming at her latest boyfriend to “get out or face the consequences.” I am sure she is just now getting to bed. I lifted my head off my pillow only to burrow quickly back under the covers for fear of illness.

“Too much tequila last night” I mumbled to myself. I tried to go back to sleep only to have the 6:00 am alarm bolt me out of bed and across the room to shut off the annoying buzz. Third graders are waiting. Ugh. There is nothing worse than teaching with a hangover. Absolutely nothing.

And so far this year, I have taught with a hangover just about every day.

My poor class never stood a chance.

On my way to the bathroom I ran into Rita, who, like Meredith, was just now beginning to get to bed.

Rita is petite, with pink hair and several piercings. She reminds me of that girl on American Idol. Kelly? Is that her name?

Rita gave me a smile. “Rho! What up girlfriend?”

“Gotta go to work.” I mumbled turning into the bathroom.

“We are a baaad influence, huh? Don’t worry, tonight is the rave in Montros, so we’ll be gone all night…unless you want to come with?”

I managed a small smile and politely shook my head. “No way Rita. I have got to get some sleep! I’m going to lose my job if I keep showing up to work like this.”

“You can come work with me!” Rita replied.

Rita is a couselor at the local Planned Parenthood. There is no way I could handle the things she comes home talking about.

“Don’t think I’m cut out Rit.”

“Okay! Have fun!” She bounded off to bed, not due into work for another 6 hours.

I heard the front door slam and Meredith bounded down the hall looking extremely pissed off.

“That asshole actually thought he could bum money off of me! Like I would give him money! Who does he think he is? A Gigolo? This aint Midnight Cowboy for crying out loud!”

Meredith’s face twisted up when she talked. She’s not the most attractive sailor in the boat, but she’s got a body to die for and the men seem to love her.

I ignored her and turned the shower on.

“Rhonda! Are you listening to me?”

“Yes, Meredith.”

“What do you think of this?”

“I think he is a jerk and you were right to throw him out.”

“That’s what I thought!” Meredith stormed back down the hall and out the door, possible to yell more at her guy. I took the opportunity to lock the bathroom door and hop in the shower.

It’s been like this for the last month. I moved in with Meredith and Rita off the advice of one of my co-workers, who lived with Meredith when they were in college. Meredith is still in school, and from the looks of things, may not ever graduate.

We are living in a house, rented by Meredith and Rita. Their third roommate moved out of town right when I was moving back from Paris. The house is nice, and there is a party here every night. Meredith and Rita seem to live out of the sixties and seventies, bringing boys home every night and smoking everything but the paint. My crusade to quit smoking cigarettes was quickly nixed by Meredith and Rita, as we split cartons and smoke at least a pack a day.

Sometimes I feel I’m losing control of myself, and other times I have to remind myself that I grew up too fast, married at 19 and all. This is my chance to be young again, before I have to really grow up. Meredith and Rita just seem to be an awfully severe way of regaining my youth.

I love them dearly, don’t get me wrong. It is wonderful to have girlfriends again, and I love to party as much as the next guy, but they party EVERY NIGHT! For a third grade teacher, this equals disaster.

But I feel good about myself. I’m happy, just tired, which I presume is better than rested and unhappy, eh?

Robbie and I have not talked in a while. He came over the night I moved in here and we slept together, but I have made great strides to get on with my life.

I’m not dating anybody. I’m not sleeping with anybody. I have made out with a few guys, but that’s all.

I cut my hair off. It’s so short, you wouldn’t believe it. I did it at the urging of Rita, who thought it would be sooooo cute. I guess it’s cute, but I’m still growing it out.

I put my house on the market in College Station. Jennifer is moving into a two bedroom apartment with Michelle. Reesa is transferring to another school.

I haven’t heard from Jason. I’m assuming he’s married to Naomi. Who knows?

I haven’t heard from Paul. Good riddance.

I’m glad to be back guys. I’ll keep you updated.

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