Great! I’ve been letting down my readers. “You should’ve said something.”
“You seemed happy. And busy. I didn’t want to pressure you to blog more.”
“I let my relationship with Jared sidetrack me. I always thought that I’d be able to quit working at Eddie’s by now and focus on the Oracle, but obviously I haven’t gotten my butt in gear. I’ve got to think of how to expand. I need a new business plan.”
“Did you have an old business plan?”
“No. Maybe that was the problem. A business should grow over time, shouldn’t it? I’m not making any more money than I did six months ago.”
“That’s because you haven’t done anything to broaden your audience. If you want to expand, you have to put the word out. A few flyers at local schools and shopping malls isn’t enough.”
“But I don’t have lots of money to do an advertising blitz.”
“You do have some money, right? Try investing it in yourself. That’s what all entrepreneurs do.”
I consider that. I have a few hundred in the bank, since the Oracle’s been in the black for a while. Maybe that money should be invested in advertising. But how can I be sure it’ll be worth it?
“I could try buying some advertising space on a couple of teen websites if I can afford it.”
“Good idea. Your business is on the web, so web advertising is your best bet.”
“Okay. I’ll do some research on where would be best.”
When we hang up, I surf some websites and contact a few to ask about advertising prices. I have no idea how much advertising costs, but I have the feeling I can’t afford most of the sites I’d like to advertise on.
If it takes thousands of dollars in advertising to grow a business, then I don’t have a chance. It seems unfair that it takes money to make money.
I’ve got it! What if I find some popular teen blogs and see if I can do a guest blog for them? That’s a way of putting the word out without paying anything. True, most teen bloggers don’t have an audience of thousands. But if I can find some who are read by, say, one or two hundred people, that could be useful. What have I got to lose?
My thoughts are interrupted by an instant message.
Cheerlead4ever: I need help, Oracle of Dating. I’m going nuts.
Oracle: What is it, Cheerleader?
Cheerlead4ever: I think my boyfriend is cheating.
Oracle: What makes you think that?
Cheerlead4ever: He spends a lot of time with his guy friends and doesn’t always answer my calls. The guys could be covering for him.
Oracle: It sounds like you don’t trust him. Why is that?
Cheerlead4ever: He’s cheated before. It was the most humiliating thing that ever happened to me, and I can’t go through it again. He promised he’ll never do it again but how can I trust him?
This is a touchy question. I have a theory about cheaters. If they do it once, they don’t have the moral foundation to stop themselves from doing it again.
Oracle: The past can’t be changed. If you’re sure that you want to give him another chance, then you have no choice but to rebuild the trust that was lost. Otherwise, you’ll just be torturing yourself.
Cheerlead4ever: He’s not helping any. He thinks I call and text him too much.
Oracle: That’s too bad. If he wants to rebuild your trust, he should accept that you’ll be suspicious of him, at least for a while.
Cheerlead4ever: I don’t think he’s concerned about rebuilding my trust. He just expects me to trust him, just like that!
Oracle: He doesn’t sound very mature.
Cheerlead4ever: You’re right about that!
Oracle: Then the Oracle must ask you: why do you feel you have to be with him?
Cheerlead4ever: Everybody knows we belong together. Even he knows it.
Oracle: Why do you belong with a guy who’s cheated on you? Don’t you deserve better?
Cheerlead4ever: Of course I do. I’m just waiting for him to figure that out.
Oracle: If this guy is immature, it could be a long time before he figures it out. Or he may never figure it out. Are you willing to put your happiness in his hands?
Cheerlead4ever: Yes, Oracle, I am. Now, can you tell me ways to figure out if he’s cheating on me or not?
This girl really doesn’t get it. I give her some tips, and by the end of the chat, she seems satisfied that she got what she came for. Once we disconnect, I sit there for a few moments, wondering how anyone can be so obsessed with keeping a cheating boyfriend. The more she told me about him, the scuzzier he seemed. Yet for her, breaking up was not an option.
Far better be single than in a relationship where there isn’t trust.
I trusted Jared completely. Until he broke my heart.
Haven’t Been Single for a While? Give It a Try!
Now I admit it—the Oracle of Dating is as guilty as anyone of extolling the merits of being in a relationship. I mean, it’s the Oracle of Dating, not the Oracle of Singledom. Nevertheless, the Oracle believes that being single is not only a healthy place to be, it’s essential for a person’s growth. It’s a state not to be reviled, but appreciated. And the fact is, being single is downright fun.
Yes, fun. Because being single puts you in a realm where the familiar is replaced by mystery. Who knows who you’ll meet at the party Friday night? Who knows what new guy will show up at your school?
So whether you decide it’s time to break up with your boyfriend, or whether he’s made the decision for you, don’t despair. There are infinite romantic possibilities awaiting you…and if you need any help, the Oracle of Dating is always here.
I post the blog with a satisfied nod. I can’t believe I haven’t written more blogs about being single in the past. I’ve spent most of my postpubescent life single so I should know a lot about it. I’ll have to write more about the joys of singledom in the coming days. And if Jared surfs by the website, all the better—he’ll figure I’m happy without him.
“You’ll have to free up your schedule next week,” Mom says at the dinner table as she’s twirling spaghetti around her fork.
“Why?” All sorts of unpleasant possibilities run through my brain. Pie-making with the church ladies? Teen Bible study? Sunday-school nursery duty?
“We have a French exchange student coming,” Mom says, too cheerful to be trusted.
“Please tell me you’re kidding.”
“Mrs. Martin called from the school. They’ve been having a hard time finding homes for the exchange students. I thought it would be nice if we helped out.” She gives an innocent smile, but I know this must be part of some devious plan. For a holy woman, Mom can be downright wicked.
I look to the Swede for help, but his expression is annoyingly cheerful.
“How could you do this without asking me? You know I’ve been down lately. I don’t want to have to show some French girl around.” I could see it now: hours in gray museums, endless lineups for tourist attractions. “How