It could be worse...

"I could get in trouble for talking to you," I overheard my friend J say to a young lady volunteer at the men's recovery center for alcohol/drug abuse where he lives. I'd been helping out at the center for a few months but it was the first time I'd heard of a non-fraternization policy. The guys already have fairly regimented lives, with chores, classes, meetings, even physical activity scheduled from 6am to 8pm. Weekends have a little less restriction though they are still required to stay in the immediate vicinity of the campus. There are limited weekend passes to stay overnight with friends or family.

Really, I should be extremely grateful that at the end of a day of volunteering, I get to go back to the Outside World. There, without fear of being sent to bury my arms in soap suds, pots, and pans, I am free to chat, mingle, associate, converse, flirt (ha!) with any females.

One reason why I will never find a significant other

I like dimples...

and crow's feet...

The question

"Have you ever had a girlfriend?", he asked me. We had been discussing women, as is our wont as guys. "No," I replied, trying to keep my face and voice expressionless as I braced for the inevitable question about sexual history. Miraculously, I was spared. Perhaps it had something to do with his being 20 years old and having little to show for the past few years except a few children? Thank goodness he tends to associate with other guys who don't see dating/relationships as a prerequisite for sex.