Seduction

This is a warning to all young lovers. That gasoline may burn brighter than logs, but will only leave you cold and in the dark.

Caleb was the sensible type. He went to college because his parents wanted him to, got good grades because that’s what his professors told him to do, and got the job because that’s what his career advisor planned for him. The job was Prodivian Computers. Caleb was an entry level programmer, and he was content. He had his own apartment. He visited his parents on the weekends. He went to the bar with his co-workers on the weekends. It was a good life. He was happy.

Evelyn was a living whirlwind. She went to college because she was getting a scholarship for music, had terrible grades because she was too busy smoking and busking for more smoke money, and decided to go into human resources her senior year because she’d seen a funny rom-com about it. That’s how she ended up at Providian Computers. That’s how she ended up at Vivetti’s, the bar everyone went to after work. That’s how she saw Caleb sitting across the bar, looking at his friends with a smirk as they failed to talk to women. Evelyn had seen him before when he was an intern, but thought he looked too young. Two years had really ripened him to her. She decided that he would be her prey tonight. Not too long after, Caleb was enjoying a free drink.

Their flirtation was fast and clumsy. Caleb had never been pursued with such energy before. He was used to chasing for a girl’s attention, and ultimately being disappointed. Evelyn’s advances were refreshing. She danced like the music was alive, sang like a fiery angel, and flirted like there was no one else in the bar. Caleb couldn’t help but be enchanted by her, happy to finally be getting bought drinks instead of spending hundreds buying them for others. Evelyn found Caleb to be cute in an innocent sort of way. He danced clumsily, but enthusiastically. He wouldn’t understand her advances, which she found oddly endearing. She couldn’t get him to kiss her until she had bought him his fifth drink. But, Evelyn liked the challenge that was Caleb. Even though they both nursed ugly hangovers the next morning, they smiled at each other when they walked into work. Caleb thought he was in for a fun few weeks of flirtation, when he opened his computer to a message from Human Resources:

Dear Caleb Temple, Please come to Human Resources office 146 immediately. Your conduct must be discussed.

-Human Resources Officer #39

Caleb’s heart thundered in his ears as he read the email over and over again. What did he do? He didn’t think he crossed a line. He knew he was pretty drunk when Evelynn kissed him, but they were both drunk right? He couldn’t remember Evelyn taking more than two or three shots with him. Did something happen that he didn’t remember? Was it not okay to flirt with co-workers outside of office hours? He was too young to know what was and wasn’t okay. He could feel his face grow redder and redder as he made his way to Human Resources office 146. Caleb thought It was a small cubicle for an HR officer, especially one doling out consequences for misconduct. His hands were shaking as he knocked.

“Come in!” He recognized the voice instantly,

“Evelyn?!” He pushed the door to reveal Evelyn with a mischievous smile on her face, “Did I scare ya? I did, didn’t I?”

“Of course you did! I thought I was about to get fired!” Caleb slumped into the office chair in relief. Evelyn burst out laughing, “I couldn’t do that, silly. Well, I technically could, but I wouldn’t do that to you! Just don’t get on my bad side.” She said teasingly poking Caleb in the side. Caleb was too flushed with relief to be angry with Evelyn, “Well, if it’s just a joke. I better get going.” Caleb stood to leave. Evelyn snatched his hand, “Wait! What are you doing tonight?”

“Huh? Nothing, probably just some video games.”

“Would you like to get dinner with me? I’ll pay.” Evelyn crooned as she turned Caleb to face him, resting her arms on his shoulders, “You mean, like a date?” Caleb felt his heart kick up to a gallop at how close she was. This was the first time he had gotten asked out before. “Yeah, silly. Like a date. So whadya say?”

“S-Sure.” Caleb felt like he was gonna pass out if she kept her arms around him any longer. His heart had to be pumping out of his chest.

“Yay! I’ll see you then!” Evelyn squeezed Caleb, brushing a quick kiss on his lips he didn't have time to return, and turned him around. Caleb didn’t have time to say anything before he got shoved out of the office and her door was closed.

Los Amigos was the dinner Caleb spent the rest of the day scrutinizing. He then overthought what to wear, where to park, and when to show up. He ended up showing up right on time. Evelyn was already there. Her dress was dazzling, and she knew it. Caleb could only stammer a hello before Evelyn was complaining about their work. Caleb thought the way she griped was funny. She seemed to like nothing about their job. She hammered on about corporate overlords, being wage slaves, and a plethora of sayings Caleb started to forget as the wine started flowing. Evelyn was popping the cork of her fourth bottle when she said, “Why don’t we just leave?” Caleb almost spit up his wine, “I’m sorry?”

“Well, I don’t understand why we can’t just move anywhere y’know.”

“I don’t think my parents would like me moving away…”

“What are you? Twelve? You don’t have to listen to mommy and daddy anymore.”

“Yeah, but what would we even do?”

Evelyn went on a rant for the rest of the night. Weaving a whole tapestry of their potential life together. They would move to California, she would finally pursue her music career like how she always wanted, he would find another coding job and be making even better money in no time. The longer the conversation went on the longer Caleb could see himself with Evelyn. She was amazing. She had such a free spirit, and maybe it was the wine talking, but he couldn’t help but feel warm with each compliment she showered him with. When she asked to go back to her place, Caleb was more than eager to go.

The next morning Caleb woke up with a pounding headache and no clothes. It took him a second to remember where he was. But, when he did he couldn’t help but fall back onto the bedsheets and smile. He could see a future, and it was with someone he hadn’t felt so strongly about in his entire life. His heart was a roaring flame, and he cozied up to the warmth of Evelyn.

The next two weeks were a whirlwind. Caleb put in his notice, and was pleasantly surprised when a firm from California reached out that same day to schedule an interview. Evelyn just downright walked out of the place. She said she couldn’t wait to get out to California. After one particularly fiery night, she told him she was going to meet one of her friends out in LA. Evelyn promised they would have a place to stay by the time he got there. Caleb would meet her when he got his last paycheck and packed his entire life into the back of his Subaru and drove the grueling 5 hour drive from Colorado to California. Their flame was kept up with texts from Evelyn about how much she missed him, and all the things they would do when he got there. Both in public and alone. Caleb’s skin pricked whenever her read them. He was too hot to consider the worry that had planted itself deep in his gut.

The last night before Caleb was supposed to leave, he was facetiming Evelyn, “Oh my God, I can’t wait to see you, I miss you so much.”

“I miss you too, baby. Only 24 hours and I’ll be in your arms again.”

Caleb couldn’t wipe the smile off of his face until he got a call that felt like a bucket of cold water being poured over him. The phone screen glowed MOM. His heart dropped. He was supposed to meet them for dinner, and he had completely forgotten.

“What’s wrong baby?” Evelyn could see Caleb’s face change through the screen.

“It’s just my mom. I forgot to get dinner with them.”

“Oh, well, you can just call them tomorrow from California!"

“Yeah… Well, I think I want to go over to their place. Just to say goodbye y’know.”

“NO!” Evelyn’s shout made the speakers in Caleb’s phone strain.

“No? Why not?”

“Because, they’ll say what we’re doing is a bad idea.” Caleb had never seen Evelyn like this before.

“Well, I would like to hear them out if they think it is.”

“They won’t get it. Plus, you’re an adult, you don’t need them sticking their nose in all of your business.”

Caleb was starting to get really concerned now. He could feel the ice water of the sobering truth start to drown the flame they had kept roaring for the last two weeks.

“Well, do you think this is a bad idea Evelyn?”

“No! Obviously I don’t. And, even if you did have trouble getting a job, I would be able to take care of both of us. Don’t worry about it baby.”

“Well. I just don’t want to make any decisions we think we’ll regret.”

“Regret? Do you regret what we are?” Caleb felt himself tense at the question.

“Of course not, Evelyn. I’m just worried. I mean, we met like barely over two weeks ago.”

“Yeah, and those have been the best two weeks of my life. Being with you makes me feel calm and safe. I can’t help but see a future with you, Caleb. I know it’s young and stupid and there will probably be people that’ll never get it. But, I think it’s worth it. I think you’re worth it, Caleb. I love you.”

Those last three words were gasoline. Caleb felt his blood boiling. She was his sun, his moon, and stars. She was when the first humans discovered fire and there was a light that pierced through that cold primeval night. Caleb’s hand was shaky, but sure, as he declined the call from his mom.

“I love you too, Evelyn. You’re right. I can’t wait to see you.”

Caleb thought Evelyn looked like a painting of Napoleon when they hung up the phone to go to sleep.

Caleb could hardly keep his eyes open for the last 30 minutes of the drive to California, but seeing the sun setting over the water in Los Angeles reminded him of Evelyn. He decided to try and call her again. When it went to voice mail again, Caleb sighed.

“Hey baby, it’s Caleb. I hope your night went well. I know you were going out with your friends. I just wanted to let you know I’m in town and would love to see you and get settled into our new, beautiful life together. I love you. Bye”

As soon as he sent the voicemail, his phone buzzed twice.

The first was from the company that was interviewing him tomorrow:

Good afternoon Mr. Temple. After reviewing your application, and conversing with your previous employer, we have decided to move forward with other candidates. Reasons for refusal include:

-Short retention period

-Complaint from Human Resources about misconduct.

We wish you luck with your future endeavors.

Goodbye

The second message was from Evelyn:

Hey Caleb. Thank you for being such a kind and amazing person to me this last month. You were truly such a wonderful experience. But, I don’t think this is working. I think we’re just too different, and I don’t want to worry about someone tying me down. I hope you can understand.

Caleb could do nothing, but stare as he felt his heart die out and go cold.