Step-Partner Incorporated
copyright 2023 comidacomida
Although Ice had been seeing Melissa for over three months he still got nervous. The nearly seven foot tall Malamute was hardly an introvert and, in most circumstances his personality was easily as large as he was physically but whenever it came to interacting with the ladies he was tongue tied and awkward. He became self conscious and started second-guessing every action and every word. No wonder he needed help from Step-Partner Incorporated.
Into his second year of college on a four year scholarship, Ice didn't have the traditional build of a marathon runner but his breed was particularly hardy and his stamina was second to none. The sports focus of his funding was a godsend since his grades had never been spectacular and he came from a long line of high school graduates, but nobody as far back as his parents could remember ever went for higher education. The extra funds made it easier to pay a company that specialized in helping tongue-tied singles open up a little and get better at mingling.
Ice first heard about Step-Partner Incorporated, or "SPI" on an internet pop-up. He usually didn't put much stock in online marketing but, when he saw it again on the college bulletin board he'd taken notice. Overhearing one of his track and field team mates talk about how his brother had been using them for a month and was finally coming out of his shell encouraged Ice to at least look into it more. His, however, was a special case, and he didn't really expect much to come from it-- sure, helping a human find a human partner or helping a Dog find a Dog partner was one thing, but Ice was a Burb Dog... and a closeted one at that.
His first meeting with SPI went well enough-- it was a phone interview. He answered all the questions honestly regarding who he was and what he was looking for in a relationship. The reminded him that their service was purely for training purposes and to get him used to interacting with a representative member of a group that included his preference for a partner. Yes, he was a Dog. Yes, he was a male. He was almost 22. He had a female partner preference and he had no real requirements. It was even surprisingly easy to explain over the phone that he was looking for a Human significant other.
The best part was that they made no obvious indication that they judged him for it. Granted, Human/Dog relationships were far more common than they were even ten years prior, but it still made Ice a little uneasy thinking about it... especially since his parents were traditionalists and there was no way they'd approve. The phone call was the easy part, but the follow up interview was in person, and he didn't find out until the day before that he was going to meet his potential step-girlfriend. The term seemed funny to him since it didn't make a lot of sense-- when he asked about it, the operator indicated that a step-parent or a step-sibling was a relation based on a contract (marriage, in that case), and so, since the step-partner would also be a contractual agreement, it really did fit.
Ice had been so worried he was shedding and yet, the moment Melissa had held out her hand and given his huge paw a confident squeeze, the Dog realized that he'd found the right person to help him overcome his awkwardness. Over the course of the next three months the Malamute became more and more comfortable with the idea of seeing her. He learned about focusing his attention outside his self-reflection and spend more time addressing his partner. He learned different techniques for small talk and how to approach a potential love interest as " just another person and not a scary monster.
As the time went by, Ice was able to appreciate Melissa on her own merits. She was smart, pretty, funny, and was very VERY good at communication-- she was, as it turned out, a communications major who was working for SPI for work study credit, and the added income that came with it. As he grew more comfortable around her their discussions became less forced and she revealed more about herself and he about himself. While he originally looked forward to his 'dates' with Melissa like trips to the vet, the 'necessary evil' approach eventually gave way toward something that excited him; he actively wanted to see her again. It wasn't until the end of the second-to-last date that Ice realized it: he liked her.
For their final meeting, Ice sat with Melissa at Corbin's, the simple diner that he'd chosen as their hang-out place not too far from the campus. Despite all of the prior weeks' successes he found himself tongue-tied once again, sitting and twiddling his claws together as she casually discussed some of the various lessons that she'd had him apply during their 13 weeks together. It was barely a half hour into their two hour date/meeting when she fell silent. He looked up from his paws only to see her gazing patiently at him-- patiently, but with a questioning stare. "What's wrong, Ice-on-the-Window?"
One thing Ice had learned about her was that Melissa tended to use his given name when she was calling him out on something. Feeling his fur start to stand on end, the Malamute deflected. "I'm really glad I called SPI... you've helped me a LOT these past few months, Melissa. I can't even begin to imagine how much I--"
She interjected, as she often did. "Except you're back-sliding."
He sat up straighter. "I am?"
Almost as if she'd expected it, Melissa's hand was there to catch the salt shaker when he accidentally knocked it off the table. Holding it in her hand, she accentuated her words by flagging it in the air. "When you get 'that way' you start getting 'lunk-y'."
Even though he was a skilled athlete, Ice did have a tendency to lose fine control of his motions when he was distracted, uncomfortable, or self-conscious and she was definitely right. Pushing through, the Malimute tried to get things back on track. "It's just... tonight is our last date and I--"
She corrected him quickly. "Session. It's our last SESSION, Ice."
He found himself scowling at the choice of words. Although she was right, Ice really wanted to be able to dwell on his time with her as something positive and enjoyable and 'session' really didn't quite capture that. Certainly, their interaction was based on a service agency providing her as an instructor to him because he was paying them to help him figure out how to correctly interact in a relationship but-- "I really like you, Melissa."
The Human woman paused and, folding her hands in front of her on the table, she cleared her throat and spoke calmly and professionally. "And I like you too, Ice. You are funny, and patient, and engaging... humble and a lot kinder and more attentive than two thirds of the guys out there. You're going to make your future girlfriend very happy."
He counted off all of the nice things she had to say about him, feeling his mood get darker and darker as she ever-so-fully placed him squarely in the 'friend zone' with her comments. Feeling his hopes dash, his response came out a little more direct than he thought he was capable of offering. "I guess I'm still pretty stupid though... or maybe clueless. I guess... I -- I was... I mean, I thought--"
Melissa reached out and placed her hand on the back of one of his paws; her entire hand barely covered three of his fingers. She gave them a gentle squeeze. "Take a breath and try again. Remember: communication is important in any relation--"
"I want YOU to be my future girlfriend!"
She finished her word flatly, obviously stunned by his confession. "--ship."
Silence prevailed for many long moments as she pulled out a piece of paper; Ice knew it was her go-to whenever she was recording something for her report on his progress. He wondered just how bad the damage was and he sat, unmoving and unspeaking like a whipped puppy as she finished whatever she was writing. He didn't say anything until she slid out of her booth and stood up. "Melissa, I--"
The Human woman folded the paper she had written on. "You know that Step-Girlfriends aren't allowed to fraternize with clients, Ice. It was great getting to meet with you and work with you on your interpersonal skills these past thirteen weeks. The agency will send you your end-of-service survey in the next ten business days."
He lowered his muzzle, looking at the table in front of him. "I understand."
She placed the folded paper within his view. "This concludes our step-partnership, Ice. I hope this time was helpful."
Looking at the paper, he glanced to her as she passed by him. "What's this?"
Melissa placed a hand on his shoulder, her smile warming him like few other things could. "My phone number." She winked, adding "I'm not your step-girlfriend anymore and I meant what I said... any girl would be lucky to have you. I just happen to be first in line."
B-9 for the K-9?
-TGU.
Touche!
She taught him what a woman is looking for in a partner and, after he got good grades, she decided he was worth it!
Kinda insidious if you think about it that way!
Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for the comment!