“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m just about to go home. Seems like she stood me up.” I watched as he hung his head in disappointment as if baiting the girl to inquire further.
“That is too bad, how long you two been together?”
“Actually, this was supposed to be our first date… It’s cool, though.”
“Well… Don’t go, stay and have a good time.”
“I think I’m going to go home instead. It’s a beautiful night out and I’d rather walk and take in the cool night’s air. Besides, I really don’t do clubs much.”
“Me either… Maybe I could join you; that’s if you don’t mind. By the way, my name is Stacey.”
“Ben.” With a simple fluid movement he reached out and kissed her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Get the hell out of here! I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. As silly as it looked it made perfect sense, always keep things simple. He had probably tried that trick dozens of times and it worked for him. One has to be a student of life to really learn any lessons. I was satisfied for the night and was ready to go home.
The next morning I had laundry to do, so I went early in hopes of catching that woman I’d met there before. It was about 11 o’clock and I was just putting quarters into the washing machine when a ball bounced toward my feet.
“Sorry Mister.” The voice was from a cute little girl with big brown eyes and long, black, curly hair.
“It’s okay sweetie. Here is your ball.”
My heart raced as the same pretty woman from the other day rushed towards me. “Hey don’t bother the nice man.”
“It’s okay she wasn’t bothering me.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah… What’s your name baby doll?”
“Shanice.”
“What a pretty name.”
I wasn’t trying to make an impression but due to my affinity for children, her mother began to smile.
“You’re daughter is gorgeous Miss…”
“Hughes… Sasha Hughes.”
“Nice to meet you Sasha, my name is Jamal.”
“Nice to meet you too.”
“Do you always come here this early?”
“Not usually but today I had some free time.”
“Didn’t I see you here the other day with a little boy as well?”
“You mean my son Jason, yes, he’s in school.”
“Shanice doesn’t have school today?”
“Oh no! Shanice is in pre-school and I decided to bring her with me instead since I have time today.”
“Do you live around here?”
“No… Well, we recently moved here about a little over three months or so.”
“I figured that.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because, I’ve never really seen you around here, and I come here often to do my laundry.”
“You’re right, that would make a whole lot of sense.”
“Where were you originally from?”
“Pennsylvania.”
“You didn’t like it back in P. A.?”
“It’s not that, it’s just that a lot of things happened to me and…” She started to hesitate.
“Please, don’t stop… We’re bonding here.”
“I’m sorry I just don’t want to take up your time with my business besides, I barely even know you.”
One of my finer qualities was my ability to lighten the mood. “I’m a Capricorn, I hate shrimp, I love to exercise and have a good time, and I enjoy long walks on the beach, how’s that?”
Sasha giggled. “That’s fine.”
“Besides, do I look bothered?”
“Let me see…” She began to walk around me playfully giving me the once over. “Nah, I guess you’re okay.”
My plan actually worked and she breaks a smile and begins to open up once more. “Now it’s your turn Sasha, what’s your favorite color?”
“That’s easy, blue.”
“What’s your favorite meal?”
“I love stuffed shells with a side of Greek salad.”
“Cool… cool. What’s your favorite movie?”
“It’s a tie between Mahogany and Love Jones.”
“Good choices. Do you see how easy that was, we’re already becoming acquainted.”
Sasha was very pleased with our encounter and took control of the conversation,
“Are you always this easy going?”
“In life sometimes you have to be or you’ll drive yourself crazy.”
“I know that feeling let me tell you.”
“Then go ahead and tell me. Most people just need to let out their frustrations. The truth is most women just need someone to listen to them for a change.”
“Okay…okay… You win. Sasha grabbed Shanice and sat her down on the counter top. Earlier this year my mother and father died in a bizarre carbon monoxide accident and I blamed myself for it.”
“Why!”
“Well… My dad was starting to become very forgetful and my mom suffered from severe arthritis that left her short of being wheelchair bound.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I had to work one night and, thank God, the kids were over a friend’s house. My dad was going to get something back in the house and must have forgotten the car was running.
Eventually, he fell asleep and the garage door was closed so then all that carbon monoxide eventually gave them both a swift death.” Tears began to run down her cheeks.
“I know that is hard to stomach. I can’t even imagine what I would do if that happened to me. It proves that you’re a strong person.” I gently wiped the tears that were falling from her face.
“You really think so?”
“Absolutely!”
“The saddest thing is what would have happen if my kids were home as well. I would have absolutely nothing to live for because my children are my life.”
Such a critical moment in this new found friendship posed an interesting situation. My instincts forbid me to probe about the presence or lack of a significant other because her statements somewhat outlined that she was carrying all this pain alone.
“Sasha. I think from the smile on that little girl’s face, you have a whole lot to live for.”
We both looked at Shanice who was twirling her ponytails in between her fingers and began to smile.
After about two hours of honest conversation, Sasha had opened up to me and calmed down. We talked about cheerful things to ease her mind although I was still curious and wanted to know for certain if she was alone. I felt her pain and sensed her yearning to live again and I was hooked like a salmon on a line. Helping Sasha was something I definitely wanted to do.
Ironically, the player started to come out because although I felt her pain, I was not that eager for a relationship.
“Say… Sasha I really have to go but it was nice talking with you.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I’ve been rambling all this time. Thanks for listening, it was a pleasure.”
“I know we just met and all…”
I hesitated. One part of me, the new found uncommitted player, wanted to date while the sympathetic, trusting, human side was reluctant to take a chance and further damage such a beautiful vessel.
“What is it Jamal?”
“…If you ever need help or a baby sitter, just let me know and I will help you. Here is my number.” I handed her a card and walked towards the door realizing that my human side had won this battle.
“Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.” I once again turned to walk away while I was still in complete control.
“Jamal!”
She wouldn’t let me get away. She had no idea that I was struggling to maintain control as I turned to face her direction.
“Yeah?”
“Maybe if you’re free we could all have lunch or something.” Fidgeting with the card I had just given her she awaited my response.
“That sounds good, but not t
oday because I have a real busy schedule.”
“Okay, what about next week?”
“Cool… Just give me a call.”
As I walked out of the Laundromat, I realized that I made a lasting impression by being myself. First impressions as they say; are everlasting.
That evening as I laid down after a grueling workout routine, I fell asleep on my couch and had the most bizarre dream. I dreamt that I was in a garden wearing a white suit in front of a group of people sitting in chairs. Sasha was looking at me holding blue flowers with a simple, form fitting dress on. It almost seemed like I was walking towards her but then, a hand pulling on my jacket draws me away. As I turned around, the hand belonged to my ex fiancé and then I woke up as my phone began to ring.
“Ring. Ring.”
“Hello?”
“Hey Jamal. What are you doing tonight?”
“I have something to do at 9pm but I should be free later. Why what’s up?”
“Nothing, I was just wondering if you were coming to the bar.”
“Yeah I’ll check you there about 10:30pm, Eli. Cool?”
“No problem. I’ll holla at you later.”
Hanging with Eli was very comforting because he is very animated and energetic when he goes out. Meeting with him later bought me time because I didn’t want him to know what I had been up to. My mother always said never let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.
Later at the club, I was back perfecting my game. I wanted to study women, their moves and attitudes. On the surface, they seem too complex like reading directions for an exercise machine in Chinese. Surprisingly most women are quite simple and unique. The trick is getting past their formidable defenses and finding out how to get inside. Eli once told me, if you look hard enough, most women open the door for you.
I took a seat close to the excitement so I could observe. Sometimes it’s not easy to sit and watch because sooner or later you’re going to have to interact with someone.
“Excuse me but is this seat taken sir?”
“Not at all. I pulled the seat back and allowed the woman to sit down.”
“Thank you.”
After the brief interruption, I returned to my mental observations and calmly sipped my import. I kind of knew my silence was about to be broken by the onslaught of questions.
“Do you come here a lot?”
“Not really.” I was tempted to try what happened the other night between Ben and Stacey just to see if it would work.
“Actually, I’m supposed to meet someone.”
“Oh okay.” Her body language instantly changed as she crossed her legs and looked off in the other direction.
“But you still look amazing. I really like your highlights and your smile is breathtaking.” I couldn’t resist.
Like magic a smile appeared on her face. “Thank you. You really like my hair?”
“Absolutely!”
That spiel actually seemed to be almost fool proof for two reasons. The first being it bought me some time to do some observations and second, it showed the lady that I am not desperate.
It didn’t take me long to realize that a good verbal game is what keeps things going because women love meaningful conversations. As I became somewhat bored with pretending to ignore the young woman sitting at the table, she surprised me and began walking in my direction.
“Would you like to go on the dance floor?”
“No thanks babe, I’m actually about to leave.”
“Come on just a quick dance.”
“No thanks. I have to go, besides, my date never showed.”
“Well maybe I’ll see you again.”
“You never know these days… See you around and have a wonderful night.”
“Good night.”
As I walked out of the club, I had an eerie feeling inside of me. I was wondering what it was? Could it be because I purposely lied to deceive some young woman? Or could it be because I was wondering how Sasha was doing and felt like I was cheating? Me… Cheating? That was ridiculous because you can’t cheat on someone you’re not with.
The thought of lies and infidelity conjured up an image of Sheila and Shy conspiring to be together behind my back. Before I would reminisce and blame myself for the downfall of my relationship; now I simply didn’t give a shit. I was becoming a heartless bastard. There was no room for pity or emotions in my game.
Later at the Red Anchor, I arrived on time, but Eli was running late. To pass the time away, I struck up a conversation with Johnny.
“Johnny what’s going on?”
“Hey how are you doing man? Everything cool?”
“Yeah, I’m good; can’t complain.”
“That’s nice to hear.”
“I even met this lady and we’re trying to become good friends.”
“They say good friendship is a key to a sound relationship.”
“Yeah, that’s what they keep telling me.”
“Excuse me sir,” said a voice behind me.
“Yes?” I turned and almost spilled my drink when I realized it was a friend of mine from college. “Charmaine… What’s up girl? Give me a hug. I haven’t seen you in a long time.”
“Johnny, this is an old friend of mine from school Charmaine.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“So what happened to your wedding? How did it go Jamal?” She was opening up my old wound but I had to tell her the deal.
“Actually…” Eli interrupted, “Actually, it never happened because my man Jamal was too real for her.” Eli walked toward the bar and embraced Charmaine then gave me a pound.
“Oh no Jamal; that is so messed up. Come here, you need another hug.”
“I guess I could use a nice big hug right now.”
“I’ll leave you cats alone because my customers are growing in number,” said Johnny as he walks away.
“Thanks Johnny.” Charmaine took me by the hand, “So what have you been doing Jamal?”
“Just taking one day at a time, you know.”
“Well that’s good, besides, it’s her loss.” Eli remained silent grinning as Charmaine continued to console my wounded ego. Charmaine was one of those girls in college that was popular with everyone. Unfortunately, most of the guys she dated were real assholes and her relationships lasted a few months at the max. We became good friends in college because we were in the same orientation group during freshman transition week. After graduation, she moved to California. Eli and Aaron were the only two people that knew we messed around once or twice our freshman year.
“So Charmaine…”
“Yes Eli?”
“What have you been doing with yourself lately?”
“Well… I work for a big advertising firm out of L.A. and spend most of my time traveling from meeting to meeting.”
“Sounds like fun.” I took another swig from my beer and tried not to be obvious as I looked at her legs.
“Well it is fun in the beginning Jamal, but after a while, a sister gets kind of lonely.”
Once again I felt that eerie feeling. Urgency came over me and I finally realized what it was. It’s called the thirst, and most men can tell you about it. The thirst is when a man is missing a women’s touch for an extended period of time, he craves women like a vampire in search of blood. It was almost like I could see a woman’s passion course through her veins as she walked by me. Like I could smell her essence and feel her anatomy envelope me. I had to get my shit together or I was going to lose control.
I found myself subtlety sneaking looks at her flawless face and soft lips. Her neck was so appealing and her skin was soft to the touch. The scent of her perfume was driving me crazy as I admired how her long black sundress accented her curves and completed her physique. I wanted to sit her up on the bar and lift her dress up right then and there.
I could feel my manhood begin to grow with every thought I had of her, I had to find something to distract me. Never before had I been in this situation. The good thing
about all this was that I learnt my weakness and quickly adapted.
What Lies Between The Sheets Page 3
