Second Chance

The day had been beautiful. I had been walking downtown looking in all the store windows, not doing anything in particular other than being outside. I had stopped in the park to sit on one of the benches for a while before starting my trek back home. That is when I heard a man and a woman arguing not too far from where I sat.

“Listen bitch,” he started, “if I want to go have a night with the boys I damn well will go regardless of what you think.”

“You are the most inconsiderate bastard I have ever met. One of these days someone is going to put you in your place and I just hope I’m around to see it.” She shot back at him, her voice dripping with venom.

“Yeah, well it won’t be at my place. Go get your stuff and move out now.”

The tension in the air was palpable, so thick a knife wouldn’t have cut through it. I hadn’t intended to overhear their argument. Just at the wrong place at the wrong time I guess. I watched as she stormed off, trying unsuccessfully to hold back her tears and I knew their relationship had now come to a screeching halt. That was too bad. She obviously loved him deeply despite her words. Could he not see that? All couples argue and make up so maybe they would be able to resolve their differences and continue onward. From all appearances they seemed like the perfect pair. She, with her long flowing blonde hair half-way down her back, was such a beautiful and desirable woman. He was no slouch either. Tall, rugged good looks, sexy scruffy beard and well-built, I’m sure he had no trouble setting the hearts of women aflutter. He sure got mine pumping. I continued to watch him as he made his way over to a maintenance building, stopping to light up a smoke and pacing off his anger.

I returned to watching the birds and animals at play, remembering back on a time long ago when I had been very much in love. He, too, had blonde hair and been very handsome. Like them we had had a tremendous fight and my pride would not let me apologize. Hence we broke up and I found myself drifting from one affair to another throughout the years, never finding the one perfect love meant for me. I had resigned myself to living alone. Experience can be a hard teacher. If I only had it to do over again…

Lost in my day dreams, I was suddenly brought back to reality when something burned my fingers. I quickly let go of… a cigarette? Movement in front of me caught my eye. My mind was spinning as I watched myself rise from the park bench and walk away with a dazed look. I looked down upon myself. What the…? I was wearing the bloke’s clothes!

Stay calm. There has to be a logical explanation. But what explains why I am wearing somebody else’s clothes and I saw myself walk away? And the way I feel… And why I have muscles I never had before…

Without thinking I lit another cigarette, savoring the calmness it brought to my frayed nerves.

… How could I be in somebody else’s body? And how do I bloody well get back to my own body?

I reached for the wallet in my jacket. According to the license, my name was Josh, I was 27 years old, 6’2, and lived in a suburb of the city.

I needed to go someplace to think. I couldn’t very well go back to my place like this. If the new “me” didn’t have any recollection of his old life then how would I possibly explain to him what I was doing there?

“Hi, I used to be you.” He would think I was crazy. No, that definitely wouldn’t work. I would have to go to Josh’s place.

Putting out the smoke I instinctively started walking towards a cool blue Ducati sitting by the curb. I wrapped my legs around the seat, feeling very much at ease on the bike even though I had never driven one before. After zipping up my jacket, pulling the helmet over my head, and donning my dark shades, I brought the beast to life and headed home, easily pulling a wheelie as I pulled away from the curb. A short while later I arrived at the address on the license. After storing the bike in the garage, I entered my new home. It was a modest little bungalow, nothing fancy like I was used to having but comfortable. I was tired mentally from all that had happened while at the same time experiencing the vitality of my younger body.

I easily found the bath just off the kitchen with my bedroom adjacent to it. I stripped out of my clothes and for the first time saw myself. Josh, rather I was moderately muscled with a nice trim physique and nicely endowed, too. After shaving I discovered that underneath the scruff I was a very good looking stud. I was a real lady killer but I didn’t want his life. Would I get back to my own body if I reunited Josh and his girl?

I felt bad for Josh. He had wanted his freedom to do whatever he wanted whenever he wanted and now he had that. He could have his night with the boys anytime and anyway he desired. He had paid the price though by going from a young straight hunk to an old gay average Joe.

Thoughts of Angela, Josh’s girlfriend, invaded my head. Memories of their relationship and all its troubles came rushing in. The things he had done and said to her had been terrible and yet she had stood by him, hoping against hope that he would change. Yes, he did love her but his pride would never let her see that softer side of him. She must have instinctively known it was there. Along with his body I had inherited his feelings for her. What I was experiencing was all so new and foreign to me. I never had thought of a woman in a sexual way before. I was confused and uncomfortable.

A quick shower and I decided to ring her up. Maybe, just maybe I could make amends for the argument and get Josh back together with her. Just as I was about to hang up, figuring she probably wouldn’t want to talk to Josh, she picked up.

“Hello Josh. Don’t worry. I’ll have all of my belongings out of your house soon.” The icy tone of her voice sent shivers down my spine.

“Angie baby you’re a special lady to me. I called to apologize and ask you to forgive me. I was a real jerk before.” The silence on the other end of the line was deafening. Finally she answered.

“Yes, you were. You hurt me Josh, deeply.” The ice melted, replaced by a soulful plaint.

“I was wondering if maybe you would like to go out for dinner so we can talk.”

“Are you okay? You don’t quite sound like yourself.”

“Let’s just say I’ve had a change of heart and I’m a new man, one that loves you very much Angie.” She pondered for a minute before answering.

“Okay Josh. Dinner and talk but we’ll take it slow. What time and where?”

“How about 8 at our favorite restaurant?”

“Alright, I’ll meet you there.” There was a click as she hung up the call. I had two hours to kill before meeting her. I threw on some casual clothes after rummaging through the closet and decided I might as well go for a ride until it was time to meet up. The warm early evening air was perfect for my tour of the familiar area that I was seeing through different eyes, experiencing life anew. Soon it was time to meet Angie for dinner.

I arrived before her. Josh’s feelings got the better of me. I could have sworn I had died and gone to heaven the first time I glimpsed the lovely vision as she got out of her car. How could Josh have ever been so naïve to hurt her? He really must have been an arrogant bastard and now I had to prove to her that I could be the man she wanted because all she would see would be Josh. Would I be able to overcome the natural patterns of his life and be a better Josh, the loving compassionate man she would truly be happy to be with for the rest of her life? And if I did, would he remain so if we swapped bodies as I hoped?

I sat there on the bike, absent mindedly lighting a cigarette. I was nervous, edgy. I was becoming more like Josh and that bothered me. I was very unsure of myself trying to fix a relationship after all my years alone. I had lost love before. Would I do more damage to their relationship? There was only one way to find out. I got off my bike and called to her as I walked towards her.

She kept her distance but she was pleasant and I did my best to show her I was truly sorry for the earlier argument. We talked, we laughed, and slowly the tensions between us faded. All I had to do was use Josh’s natural confidence and charms while managing to keep his arrogance and pride at bay.

“What have you done with Josh?” she asked. I had to be cautious how I answered without seeming flippant.

“Oh, he’s around here somewhere. I stole his body so I could meet you.” I laughingly answered. Fortunately she thought I was really joking so she laughed along with me. Sometimes telling the truth can work out best.

After dinner we went to a nearby bar for a few drinks and did some more talking. She was the most fantastic lady I had ever met. Even knowing about her from Josh’s memories it was like I was discovering my first love all over again albeit with a woman. Josh loved her but he never really knew and appreciated all she had to offer. Bells went off in my head when she kissed me as we parted to go our separate ways for the night and I knew something, some part of me was going with her. I was never going to be truly whole without her in my life. We were meant for each other, soul mates so to speak. No, Josh was meant for her. I just happened to be him at the moment. I was getting confused again being both Josh and myself at the same time.

First thing in the morning I called her. I couldn’t help myself – I had to hear her voice and tell her how much I loved her. I think it surprised her to have Josh doing something so uncharacteristic but I could tell she enjoyed the attention and I enjoyed giving it to her.

Time seemed to fly by. While we weren’t living together as before the argument, we weren’t apart much and we were building a strong foundation for a lasting relationship. I was in seventh heaven being in love and having the feeling returned. Love and a new perspective made all the difference in the world. Josh and Angie were back together so why hadn’t I swapped back to my own body? Sure I was relishing my new body and life now that I had gotten somewhat used to them but I still wanted to be myself. Besides I felt kind of guilty about the real Josh. It wasn’t fair to him to have to give up his life for me, regardless of how much he might have deserved what he got.

The next step in our relationship came about six months after getting back together. The timing was right and we consummated our love passionately. When the morning came I was peaceful. I no longer felt like two people living in one body. I was Josh now, completely and permanently.

Soon after that night I asked Angie to marry me. And you know what? She said yes! I was the happiest man on earth. I had been given a second chance at love as the new and improved Josh. I had found what I had longed to have for so many years.