Chris’s day had not been the best in recent memory. Stressed at work and on the home front, Chris felt like he was on the verge of a breakdown. With a vacation out of the question, he turned to his old vices for a little rest and relaxation. After work, Christ stopped by the neighborhood pet store to pick up a couple of betta fish.
“They’re going to go in separate bowls in my bedroom,” he had told the clerk after making up the idea on the spot. Chris knew quite well that these betta fish would never see the inside of his bedroom unless they could see through his stomach walls, but he felt it was best not to let the pet store clerk in on his secret plans. He paid cash for the fish, declined the cashier’s recommendation for water conditioner and fish food, then walked to the car and headed home.
Driving home, Chris could hardly keep his mind on the road. With the stress of the day weighing on him, he found it hard to focus on anything other than the anticipation of two betta fish fighting their way down his throat one at a time. He was so distracted by work, anticipation and driving that it was a wonder he didn’t drive right by Brittany.
Of course, it would have been hard for ANY guy to miss Brittany. At 17 years old, she was wearing the typical brightly colored teenage clothes and talking on a cell phone as she strolled down the sidewalk. Her tight, bright clothes accentuated her figure, and the very slightest beginnings of a muffin top caused just enough of her bare belly to stick out the bottom of her shirt to grab Chris’s attention. She pulled a wheeled suitcase behind her as she walked purposefully down the sidewalk.