My general belief in karma as a concept has come with age. If you lie and cheat, then karma may be out to get you at a later date. It sounds outlandish, but really it just supports the idea that being true and positive should work for you in life.
However, when I was young I had other seeds to sow, and karma wasn’t one of them.
What follows is a fictionalised story — much is true but I have embellished bits here and there. The scene about to unfold happened before I’d moved out of my parent’s house. I was about nineteen or so, and going steady with my first boyfriend Jim. On reflection, Jim did not deserve to be treated in this way. Neither did Beth - Vic’s girlfriend - But he and I seemed to think we were above retribution.
After our training session for the half-marathon and a game of pool at the local, Jim drove us all home. Beth first, then, of course, he dropped Vic at my place because that’s where he left his car earlier.
Vic lived around the corner. We’d been best friends since our early teens.
Jim kissed me goodbye and I cheerfully got out of the car and walked up the path to my house, waving goodbye to both of the lads. Vic started his vehicle and flashed his lights as Jim drove past and off down the road. As soon as he was out of sight, I hurtled back through the garden gate and jumped in the passenger seat of Vic’s car.
“Where to?” he asked, leaning forward and switching on the car stereo.
“The car park behind the bowling club, should be empty at this time.” I glanced at my watch, it told me it was nearly 11 pm.
Vic smiled and revved the engine as we pulled away.
“Was Beth OK?” I queried. “She seemed a little bit distant, didn’t seem to have her mind on the job when we were training.”
“Ha, you’re a one to talk, I noticed you were really slow on that last stretch.”
“No, that’s because I was hanging back with her, to make sure she was OK,” I protested.
“Yeah, yeah, not sure if I believe that” he replied, pulling into the empty car park. “Well, it’s Beth’s birthday next week, and we have a hotel and show booked in London, so she better be OK for that.”
We both got out of the car and then directly climbed into the back. It was an excessively warm summer night.
“Ah, treating your girlfriend, what a good loyal boyfriend you are,” I teased, noticing the gold chain he wore around his neck. Her present to him last Christmas.
As he grabbed the back of my head and yanked my curls, I could tell winter festivities were the furthest thing from his mind. Pushing his lips against mine he prized open my mouth with his tongue.
Then pulling away slightly, he said, “stop being such a cow and get your fucking t-shirt off.”