by Tiana Laveen
“Shit!” Arashi yelled.
“Oh, are you OK? I didn’t mean to scare you. I’ve been waiting for you all night. Where have you been?” Ryoko asked.
“Ryoko, don’t just walk up on people like that. You can get hurt, and why would you be waiting for me? And where I’ve been should no longer be of any importance to you,” Arashi said with obvious annoyance.
“Arashi, can we please talk? I know we broke up a couple of months ago, but there are unresolved issues. Just give me a moment. We need to talk.”
“No, we already spoke about this several times. I made it perfectly clear that our relationship is over. I explained to you in very simple terms as to why. One, we’re not compatible. Two, we don’t want the same things in life. Three, I can’t imagine a future with you. I’ve tried to be as gentle about this as I can, but you’re not allowing the truth to be heard. You’re starting to exhibit obsessive tendencies. The constant emails, the late night calls, the waiting for me.
Ryoko, it’s over! I can’t make it any clearer. Please go home.”
Arashi got into his car and drove away. Ryoko stood there with anger-filled tears streaming down.
“It’s not over. It’s not over until I say it is!” she shouted.
* * *
“Home, sweet home!” Arashi said as he walked into his three-story suburban home. It was an old house that he had renovated. Arashi loved historic buildings, and this one used to be an old firehouse. He tossed his keys on the kitchen counter and took out a bottle of water. The house was quiet and slightly chilly.
“King!” Arashi called. Barking soon followed by scampering could be heard as the large German Shepherd came running.
“Whoa! You almost knocked me down. You’re always at the door, Buddy, waiting for me.
What were you back here doing?” Arashi questioned. Arashi turned on the first floor bathroom light and saw King’s dirty work. The toilet paper roll was ripped to shreds, and the blue water in the toilet bowl was splashed all about as if a live catfish had been fighting for its life.
“King, bad dog!” Arashi put the leash on him and stepped out onto his patio.
“Now do your business, but you can’t just walk around.
You’re sleeping in the garage tonight. I don’t understand what has gotten into you.” King whimpered and walked in slow circles, tangling the leash.
“OK, fine.” Arashi let him run free in the backyard as he stood watch. His thoughts began to drift back to Angel.
“Damn, she’s beautiful,” he said softly to himself. He imagined their hands intertwined. Her fingers wrapped around his. He envisioned kissing her ever so slowly, then moving down her long, elegant neck.
“King, Buddy, let’s go.” King came galloping back as Arashi escorted him into the house.
“Now, I mean it. Into the garage you go. I don’t want to wake up and see more of this.” King whimpered and descended into the garage, watching sadly as Arashi closed the door.
Arashi began the chore of handpicking the shredded toilet paper from the bathroom floor. He swept the remaining pieces into a pile and scooped them up with a dust pan. He took out a sponge, dipped it in Lemon Fresh Pine-Sol, and began to scour the toilet. As his hands moved in a circular motion, his thoughts began to wander again. He imagined massaging Angel’s neck and back, working the kinks out. After Arashi finished cleaning, he retreated upstairs to his master suite. He removed his clothing, starting with the top button of his light blue shirt. He stepped into the bathroom. The tile was black-and-white checkered. On the wall were black-and-white photographs of rain, storms, and falling leaves. One side of the bathroom was covered with a large 25x50” mirror. He looked at himself as he started the shower water.
“I wonder if she finds me attractive?” he thought to himself.
He looked at his feet. They were long with a high arch. He studied his ankles, knees, and thighs. His free time spent playing tennis had paid off. Arashi stood 5’11”. His long torso was perfectly sculpted. He had chest definition and a rather impressive 6-pack. He kept his face clean-shaven and his hair longer at the top than the back. He was always told he was good-looking but wasn’t conceited.
Actually, he was overly modest. His eyebrows were dark and thick and his cheekbones high.
Arashi’s lips were full and pouty, and his eyes were almost pure ebony – mysterious and sexy.
Arashi stepped into the shower, letting the warmth gently bathe him. Suds gradually ran down his spine, flowing down the crack of his behind as he lathered. He continued to think about Angel. He thought about her eyes; how her long, thick lashes gave her extra femininity; her beautiful back; the way she moved, her long, flexible legs…
“I wish they were wrapped around my waist,” Arashi murmured as the water trickled lightly over his lush lips. His hand travelled down past his dark, wavy pubic hair as he took hold of his penis. He took his other hand and held it at the base while he stroked it up and down, up and down, all the while envisioning Angel performing the same dance moves she did on stage, only this time, she did them as she was riding his cock.
Arashi began to thrust his hips while moving his hand faster and faster. He pushed himself further into the running water, grinding the air and moaning until he came. He sighed deeply, out of breath.
Arashi rinsed, dried off, and slid on a fresh pair of cobalt boxers. He walked back into his bedroom, running his fingers through his wet hair. The walls were stark white with large, platinum-framed, black-and-white photos of various park scenes from around the world. One had a little girl eating an apple on a bench. Another showed a couple kissing while holding hands near a pile of autumn leaves. There was a black IKEA desk with a white swivel chair and black pillow. On it was his home laptop, black desk lamp, and a photo of his parents. The entire room was black and white which made Arashi feel comfortable and at ease. He slid under the white satin sheets of his King-sized sleigh bed and drifted off to slumber, pretending that Angel was asleep at his side.
* * *
Two weeks later…
“Seven months! You have to be kidding me?” Morris yelled as he and Arashi stood outside purchasing a variety of street meats from an assortment of vendors.
“Shhh! Why are you so loud?” Arashi looked around anxiously.
“You haven’t been laid in seven months? You’re the one that needs to be on the couch telling people about your problems,”
Morris said, stuffing a hotdog into his mouth.
“It’s not by choice. It just – happened,” Arashi explained.
“What about you and Rybolt?” Morris asked, his mouth full.
“Her name is ‘Ryoko,’ and yes, we had sex, but it was infrequent, and the last time was seven months ago. We hadn’t had sex for about five months before I called it off. I didn’t want to – never mind,” Arashi said.
“No, tell me. You didn’t want to what?” Morris noisily slurped his soda.
“I didn’t want her to get too attached, or lead her on,” Arashi responded.
“Looks like it’s too late for that. Is she still calling?” Morris asked.
“Yeah, I think I may have to get my number changed. Do you know after the urban ballet we went to a couple of weeks ago, she was waiting for me near my car?”
“No fuckin’ way! Man, she’s a stalker. You need to call the police,” Morris warned.
“Yes, she’s out of control. If it continues, I will probably have to resort to law enforcement intervention, but I feel so guilty. I guess that’s why I find it depressing.” Arashi put more mustard on his hotdog.
“What confuses me is why she wouldn’t think it was strange that you stopped sleeping with her for so long,” Morris said.
“She did. She asked me about it, actually,” Arashi said.
“And what did you say?” Morris’s eyebrow went up.
“I told her things were going too fast, and we needed to slow down. I told her sex can sometimes complicate matters, so I preferred that we stop for
a while until we got to know each other better. I got to know her better alright. I wish I could erase the last year of my dating life – period.” Arashi shook his head.
“So is anyone else on the horizon? I could have Julia hook you up with someone.” Morris sat down by a water fountain, Arashi joined him.
“No, I’m straight.” Arashi took another bite of his hotdog.
“You’re straight?” Morris burst out laughing. “Since when do you speak slang?” Arashi had never said that before. He racked his mind wondering where he had heard it. It came back.
Angel said it when someone at the party asked her if she wanted any cheese.
“Oh, well, I must have picked it up somewhere.” Arashi took the last bite of his hotdog and opened his bag of chips. “How do you know what it means? You’re not exactly a hip dude.
You’re a nerdy White guy that happens to love rap music,”
Arashi teased.
“Yeah, but most of my friends are Black and Hispanic, so I get the latest lessons on the coolest jargon. You know what’s funny to me?” asked Morris.
“What?” Arashi said with his mouth full.
“You and I have been best friends since we met in the office building five years ago. I wasn’t manager of the radio station yet, and you were the brand new psychologist of the team,” Morris said proudly.
“Psychiatrist,” Arashi corrected.
“Yeah, the pills. Anyway, your boss wanted you to do a radio promo for mental health week and the rest was history. I don’t think we became friends just by chance. There are over twenty companies in that building, and we found each other, and I just happened to be there at that exact time. I’m really surprised that I connected with a cat like you.”
“Why’s that?” Arashi asked with a smirk.
“Because you live inside your head. I know there’s more to you than meets the eye. You keep a lot of things hidden from me, but I’m not as dumb as I look.” Morris smiled devilishly.
“What are you talking about?” Arashi grinned.
“Cut the crap. Julia told me all about you lingering around talking to that dancer,” Morris smiled.
“Julia’s making a big deal out of nothing. I just thought she was very talented.” An image of himself masturbating in the shower to her movements flashed in his mind.
“Yeah, OK, whatever. Have you called her yet?” Morris asked.
“Julia heard that too?” Arashi said, surprised.
“Nope! I just wanted to see if you had gotten her number.
Busted!” Morris laughed obnoxiously, slapping his knee. Arashi dropped his head and smiled.
“Why do I keep falling for your set-ups?”
“So now that you’ve confessed, why haven’t you called her?”
Morris asked.
“Honestly? I’m scared.”
“Scared of what?” Morris screamed.
“Scared she just gave me the number to be nice. Scared she won’t like me once we go out.
This way, I feel safe I suppose?” Arashi said.
“Man, you better call that girl. You of all people know better than this. You know what they say. The best way to get over old pussy is to get new pussy. This is just what the doctor ordered –
get it?” Morris started laughing again.
“Yes, I get it.” Arashi rolled his eyes.
“Actually, you don’t get it. Not for seven months to be exact,”
Morris laughed. Arashi sighed.
“Don’t I know it? My hand and I have become the best of friends.”
“You need to stop going to Palm Beach and get some action.
It might be a phone call away,” Morris grinned.
“So is a hooker, but I get your point.”
* * *
Two days later…
Arashi jogged along the bike trail. It was five in the morning.
The darkness and quiet gave him time to think. He enjoyed this time of morning. He could be alone with his thoughts. King ran alongside him. His feet hit the pavement in rhythmic beats. He breathed evenly, consistently.
Small beads of perspiration lined his temples. In the distance he saw a slender, tall woman jogging towards him. Her hair was in a high, bouncy ponytail. His heart began to beat louder as he kept a steady pace, getting closer and closer to her. As they passed each other, he realized it wasn’t who he thought it was.
Arashi jogged a few more steps then stopped in his tracks.
“Oh, boy. I need to man up and get this over with,” he said out of breath. He reached into the fanny pouch he had under his T-shirt and pulled out his Blackberry. He selected Angel’s number and dialed.
“Hello,” answered a sleepy voice.
“Oh, shit. I’m sorry.” Arashi blurted.
“Who – who’s this?” Angel asked, adjusting herself under the sheets. She turned her bedside lamp on.
“Angel, I’m sorry. Clearly I’ve awoken you. I forgot what time it was and did this on impulse,” he explained.
“Huh?” Angel rubbed her eyes and sat up.
“It’s Arashi. We met at…”
“Yes, I know who you are. I thought you’d never call,” she smiled sleepily. Arashi smiled back.
“Yeah, been kind of busy, but I wanted to make sure I did.”
“Well, now that you’ve called…,” Angel yawned, “how are you going to make it up to me since you’ve woken me up on my only morning off? You didn’t call me at a decent hour like normal people do,” she teased.
“Hmm – that’s a good question. I don’t have to be at work until 10:00 this morning. Would you like to get some breakfast?”
Arashi asked.
“That sounds just dandy,” Angel answered.
“OK, do you know where LaBelle’s is? It’s right across the street from where you performed when we met. They have the best omelets in the world.”
“In the world, huh? How would you know that?” Angel asked with a wicked grin.
“Because I’ve been to France, Italy, Belgium, West Africa, Sweden, England, Egypt, and Switzerland, and none of them have a place like this,” Arashi laughed.
“The world traveler, huh? Well, my last time in Greece afforded me a spectacular spread in the early morning, but I’ll see if Labelle’s tops it. It’s on. See you in an hour?”
“Oh – uh – yes, an hour’s fine.” Arashi looked at his watch.
He raced home and showered.
Arashi tore his closet to pieces looking for the right thing to wear.
“I don’t want to be over-dressed, but I don’t want to look like a slob either,” he thought to himself. He settled on a crisp, white, button-down shirt with tan Dockers. He ran his fingers through his hair and splashed on a little cologne.
“King, wish me luck!” he said as he left the house.
Arashi walked inside Labelle’s. The restaurant was sparsely decorated. The aromas always spoke for themselves, though.
Sizzling sausage, crisp bacon, and thick stacks of fluffy buttermilk pancakes were being prepared. Hot coffee in six different flavors was roasting, and copies of the daily local newspaper were always available for patrons. A few elderly people sat at the front counter watching the morning news.
Arashi took a seat. A waitress with shoulder-length, light brown hair approached Arashi with a pen stuck behind her heavily pierced ear.
“What can I get you this morning, Sweetie?” she asked as she put silverware and a fresh napkin in front of him.
“Um – I’m waiting for someone, but for now I’d like a cup of decaf,” he responded.
“Decaf it is. I’ll be back with a couple menus.” She winked and walked away.
“Thank you,” Arashi said as he rung his hands together. Just then he saw Angel. She walked in wearing a thin, black jacket; yellow tunic; and black leggings. Her hair was down, cascading over one shoulder and tucked behind her ear, just like at the party. She had on sheer lip gloss and yellow bangles. On her feet were three-inch, black high heels. She
was carrying a large leather bag that had a design of a sparkling ballet slipper on it.
She looked around, then saw Arashi and smiled as she walked up to the table.
“Hey there, stranger,” she smirked. Arashi stood up and gave her a hug. He inhaled deeply, catching her scent.
“Is that Creed Spring Flower?” Arashi asked.
“Wow, you’re good. Why yes it is,” Angel said while taking a seat at the booth.
“Well – wow – it’s really good to see you,” Arashi smiled, trying to control his excitement as he sat back down.
“It’s good to see you too.” Angel slid her hand across the table and touched his fingers, before picking up her menu.
Arashi sat and looked at her, taking in the visual spectacle before him. He watched her peruse the menu, turning the pages as she deliberated on what to order.
He found all of her mannerisms sexy. He picked up his menu, quickly glanced at it, and put it down.
“What are you getting?” Angel asked, still looking at her menu.
“I’ll be ordering the Western omelet, two pieces of wheat toast, and hash browns,” Arashi grinned.
“Hmm – I think I’ll just get some scrambled eggs, a cup of strawberries, and a piece of toast. I’ve been bad lately and need to lose about five pounds,” Angel said as she patted her stomach.
“You look perfect to me just the way you are,” Arashi winked.
“Are you getting fresh with me, Arashi?” Angel smiled deviously.
“Me? Fresh? Flirt? Why of course not,” he laughed. The waitress came back over to the table.
“What’ll it be?” she asked while removing the pen from behind her ear.
“I’ll have the number four and a large milk,” Angel said.
“How do you want your eggs?” the waitress asked.
“Scrambled, soft.”
“And for you, Sweetie?”
“I’ll have the number sex – I mean six, the number six!”
Arashi exclaimed. Angel burst out laughing.
“It was an honest mistake – I think.” She and the waitress continued to laugh. The waitress winked and walked away.
