Mike Masters It’s the second time in as many months that I’m before a judge. Both times I settled with my ‘victims’ out of court, but the law says different. Assault and battery is a felony charge, and one they don’t drop so easy the second time around because it’s become my new weakness. The judge says one more strike and I’m getting more than a stern look and another red mark against my name. How was I to know it wasn’t her they were with? I swore it on the bible in court and I’ll swear it again. I thought those two guys were with her . Both times. I fucking saw her… But as it turns out I just saw her instead of whoever they were arguing with in public. Every time I go anywhere, I see her. Mary-Jane… If I close my eyes, I see her. When I sleep I see her. And waking up without her next to me is just a fucking insult. She’s become more than just a crush. And way more than just an obsession. So when I see a guy with her. When I swear I see her twice in two months getting mistreated? Of course I step in. Trouble is, the real Mary Jane? She’s my best friend Brett’s daughter and she doesn’t even know I exist. Not in the way I want her to notice me. And even more trouble for me, I’m seeing her everywhere that she’s not. It’s gonna be three for three the next time I go anywhere. I can just feel it. Knowing this is gonna destroy me, or my friendship with Brett as well as maybe my freedom. I think maybe I should just get away. Go someplace cold and damp so I can forget all about her. Forget what she’s doing to me without her even trying. But a surprise call from my buddy asking me for help changes everything. I mean, every. Fucking. Thing. He’s broken down on his way to some daddy-daughter day she’s having at work. But all I hear is Mary Jane and me in the same sentence. I’m already there in my mind before he’s even finished asking. Daddy for a day? I might be losing my best friend, but I'm gaining a daughter. For a few hours at least while I pretend to be her dad. How ‘bout I make you a mommy instead? Put a baby in that belly of yours, huh Mary Jane? I think this daddy needs you as his mommy. And not just for a day. I need you, Mary Jane. For. Ever.
