Gruel

Do you know what gruel is?

A lotta folks don't, not a big deal if you don't. I only know it cuz I heard 'bout it on an old Simpsons episode 'bout a decade or so ago. (The one where Bart takes over Kamp Krusty if I'm not mistaken) It's kinda like oatmeal but less flavorful and thinner. It'll fill you up but there's really not much to it at all. It's there, it's not very good, doesn't particularly do anything beneficial for you, but it'll help you survive until you find something better.

That's more or less how I would describe this fella I met this weekend. See, his girl (Red)and my girl (Soul Rebel) are best friends. So, we were hangin' out this weekend and after the new couple had been together two weeks I finally got a chance to meet him.

When I met him this is what I noticed 'bout him. He wasn't dressed like anything special. Cargo pants, t-shirt, and some wrinkled shirt over that. Not a big deal normally but I'll explain why it irritated me in a bit. He had a man-purse (those damned things shouldn't even exist) to take with him to the party we were all goin' to.

So, he walks in my girlfriend's front door, looks at me, and walks past me. In my book, that's a big taboo. I'm Mexican and Texan. Both cultures are big on respect, in case you didn't know. You meet a man for the first time, you shake his hand with a good firm grip (none of that bone crushing bullshit unless you're lookin' to disrespect a man). So, he skipped that 'til Red introduced us properly. And even when she did, I stuck my hand out and there was a moment of hesitation that I could tell he either wasn't the type to shake or didn't want to. Either way doesn't really look good in my opinion.

He spoke with a half-lisp. Now that's somethin' I haven't really encountered before. It sounded like he had a lisp but only cuz he wanted to sound like he had one. Like an impression of a person with a lisp. Of course, it's not like I examined his mouth or anything so I dunno whats up with that really.

Later that night, the girls were in the bathroom talkin' 'bout whatever it is girls talk 'bout. I was in the kitchen drinkin' my beer and I look over and I see these big round eyes starin' at me. Never backin' down, I stared back. And we had a moment. A very creepy moment.

That bastard in general gives off a creepy vibe. He's short and has those big starin' eyes like a damn evil teddy bear or somethin'. An evil teddy bear with four knives in his pockets.

In my opinion he is gruel. He's got no substance to offer Red. All that he is is creepy but I sure don't feel threatened by him so it's an empty creepiness. He's creepy like the Ronald McDonald Statue that sits on the bench outside Mickey D's waitin for lil kids. (Not actually gonna snatch kids up but sure looks like he wants to or maybe it's just me.)

What little I've heard 'bout him makes him sound even worse. I hear he doesn't pay for the dates he takes her on. (I have a standing rule that girls don't pay, period. Girlfriend, friend, sister, whatever. It doesnt matter a girl shouldn't pay. Girls should be treated like princesses. But never spoiled.) I hear he was kinda obsessed with a friend of hers, so much so that he's been accused of stalking that friend. Yeah, he's a stalker. Or at least that's the rumor. It's believed by the people around me that he followed this girl, watched her through her windows, and hired someone to hurt her boyfriend. I also heard Gruel has told her he loves her. Ugh. Two weeks? Two damn weeks and he's in love? He's an idiot. To make matters worse I heard that Red said it back. Granted, it was an awkward situation. Not much to say to "I love you"without someone gettin upset besides "I love you too."

Red is beautiful. She's got long red hair, rosy cheeks, a great smile and a ton more to offer the world. She's an amazing friend. She's full of life. She is one of the coolest people you could ever have the pleasure to meet. I'm always excited to see her as are all of her friends. Any guy would be lucky to have her in his life. For the party, the girls were all dolled up. Mine in a gorgeous red dress. Red in a lovely, classy, black number. Both of 'em stunning to see.

Remember now that Gruel is dressed like it's just a regular ol' school day and he can look like crap if he wants to, but then you pair that with the girls lookin' like a pair of princesses? I'm not a prince or nuthin like that but I never dress like a bum when I'm goin' out with my princess on account of she deserves to look like she's with a guy that respects himself and her.

Gruel ain't got nuthin' worth offerin to her. But she's with him. And he's with her. It's not an uncommon thing to see. A girl that's worth so much settlin' for a guy that ain't worth a damn. Why they do it? Hell I dunno. (I'd have never gotten a girlfriend if it hadn't been for it.)

I hope one day all these girls I see makin' the same mistake realize they need a man who's gonna give 'em everything they could ever need or want without havin' to ask for it. The world needs stronger, better men for those women. One day those men will be father's and they will raise strong, better daughters.