by Tiana Laveen
“So how long have you been dancing?” Arashi asked as he put his napkin over his lap.
“Since the age of six. My mother enrolled me in dance class.
At first I detested it, then after a year or so, she couldn’t keep me away. We fell in love, dancing and I.”
“You can tell you’re no novice. Like I told you, I never really liked ballet, but you had me completely captivated. I know I’ve told you several times, but you’re very talented. You’re so graceful, like your last name,” he smiled.
“Yeah, I’ve been told that my mother must have known I was going to be a dancer to name me ‘Angel’ with a last name like
‘Grace.’”
“It’s a beautiful name,” Arashi complimented.
“Thank you. What does Arashi mean?” Angel asked while thanking the waitress for her milk.
“It means ‘storm.’ I was born during a hurricane. It’s actually a fairly common Japanese name, but mine was literal.” Arashi looked deeply into Angel’s eyes.
“That’s amazing,” Angel smiled. “I like it. I like how the letters roll off the tongue.”
“I wonder what your tongue would taste like in my mouth,”
Arashi thought to himself.
“Here you two go! One number four and one number sex,”
the waitress joked. Arashi dug his fork into the side of his omelet.
“Wait a minute. Let’s say grace.” Angel reached across the table and took Arashi’s hand.
“Dear Father in Heaven, thank you so much for having Arashi wake me up this morning.
Thank you for this breakfast that we’ll use to nourish our bodies. Amen.” Angel looked up and smiled as she took a sip of her milk before eating.
“Are you religious?” Arashi asked as he cut his omelet into small bites.
“I wouldn’t really say ‘religious.’ I do have a very strong belief system, though. I’m spiritual. I think that’s a better way to put it. They say you shouldn’t discuss politics and religion on a first date. I think we’re breaking a rule right now,” she smiled.
“Oh, good, she considers this a date,” Arashi thought to himself.
“Well, there was a fair excuse to discuss religion, Angel. You stopped me from eating in order to say a prayer,” Arashi said matter-of-factly.
“True. Well, what about you? Are you religious?” Angel said as she took a bite of her eggs.
“I grew up practicing Shintoism. I, however, ascribe more to Christianity though I don’t make it a practice to attend church.”
He cut off a piece of his omelet and moved the fork towards Angel’s mouth. She looked up at the food, smiled, and opened her mouth while Arashi inserted his fork.
“You like it?” he asked after she gave it a few chews.
“That’s incredible! I should have gotten an omelet!” Angel pouted.
“I told you,” he smiled, taking a bite for himself.
“What’s Shintoism?” Angel asked, taking a bite of her toast.
“It’s an ancient Japanese religion. Basically it’s the belief that spirits reside in ordinary inanimate objects. The aim’s to live as one with nature. I still believe many of those principles, but as I got older, I began to believe that there’s one god. I have meshed my beliefs into something I can accept as truth,” he explained.
“Oh, cool,” Angel said while looking at Arashi chew. He cut off another piece of his omelet and offered it to her. She opened her mouth slowly and took it in, leisurely chewing while Arashi watched. She swallowed, then chased it with milk.
“You chew very cutely,” Arashi smirked.
“Is that so? That’s the first time I’ve heard that,” Angel smiled.
“And your hair, I love it. The texture is very interesting.”
Arashi imagined running his fingers through it.
“You’re really pouring it on thick!” Angel laughed.
“Maybe so, but it’s true. You’re stunning,” he continued.
“OK, I can’t take anymore. The compliments are just too much for me to handle. OK, well, maybe one more,” Angel laughed and blushed. Arashi smiled.
“So, tell me about yourself, Angel,” Arashi said, looking down at his plate.
“Why do I feel like I’m on a shrink’s couch? Oh wait! You’re a shrink, but this is a booth.” She rolled her eyes and laughed.
“Yes, yes, make your jokes, but I do want you to tell me all about yourself. What was your childhood like? Do you have any brothers or sisters? What’s your favorite color? What type of men do you like, and may we have a second date?” Arashi took a sip of his coffee before revealing his smile.
“OK, let me try to respond in order! My childhood was awesome. I grew up in Brooklyn. I moved to the Bronx later.
My mom raised my brother and me by herself for the most part.
She was a great mother. She was hard-working, a bit strict, but she made sure we needed for nothing, and she was a fun person to be around. My parents are divorced, and my father’s from Trinidad. After the divorce he moved back there, but he’d come spend time with us about every three to four months. I just answered the second question with the first answer so I can skip it. Um – my favorite color’s purple. I like men who are honest, loving, know what they want out of life, and aren’t afraid to go after it. I like open-minded men with a sense of humor and who don’t want their girlfriends to be their mommies. Yes, I’d like a second date too. I think that covers it.” Angel took the last swig of her milk.
“So I get it now. You’re beautiful, fun, intelligent, and have an uncanny memory. What’s the catch?” Arashi said with a large smile.
“I have a hectic schedule sometimes. This new gig should help, though. Before, I was so busy I didn’t have time to date, and when I did, I always chose the wrong guys. Speaking of work, Julia said you were a workaholic. I guess we have that in common.”
“I’ve been told that a few times. Like you, though, I do want things to get a bit calmer,” Arashi explained. They finished their breakfast, enjoying the small-talk.
“So, Angel, when can I see you again?” Arashi asked as he dug into his wallet, pulled out his bank card, and handed it to the waitress along with the bill.
“I’m not really sure. My schedule’s pretty booked this week.
“What do you do when you get finished at the dance studio?”
He took out a five-dollar bill and laid it on the table.
“I go home. I’m usually exhausted. What did you have in mind?” Angel asked.
“I hope this isn’t too forward, but maybe I could meet you at your place one night and have dinner and a movie ready for you.
That way you can relax, and we can see each other at the same time. Ask Julia for my references if you have any hesitations,”
Arashi laughed.
“You cook, too? Wow, the total package!” Angel laughed.
“The total package? She must think I’m attractive, too,”
Arashi thought to himself.
“No, I don’t cook well at all actually. I was going to get carryout!” They both laughed.
“You know what? Because Julia did go on and on about you after you left the concert, and she’s known you so long, and I trust her, I’m going to take you up on that. I get out the earliest on Thursday. Come by the studio, and I’ll give you my house key.” Angel gave Arashi a kiss on the cheek and grabbed her purse.
“See you Thursday!” Before Arashi could respond, she was running out the door.
“I so look forward to it,” Arashi said, melting a bit inside.
* * *
Thursday…
“Hot diggity dog!” Wendy bust into Arashi’s office with a carton of leftover doughnuts.
“You’ve been holding out on me.” She made herself comfortable in Arashi’s office, offering the assorted box of glazed and sugary treats.
“Wendy, who’s answering the phone if you’re in here?”
Arashi said seriously as he removed a chocolate ecl
air.
“Don’t change the subject. You’ve got a date tonight,”
Wendy snapped.
“And Morris has a big mouth.” Arashi looked all over his desk for a piece of paper.
“The dancer? No wonder you didn’t want to come across the street with me after the party.
You were waiting to talk to her, you little devil you!” Wendy cackled.
“Wendy, the phone’s ringing,” Arashi alerted dryly. Wendy quietly listened, then ran out the office.
“This discussion isn’t over, Arashi!” she said as she fled.
Arashi stuffed the eclair into his mouth, gathered his things, and headed towards the elevator. He was sneaking out a few minutes early. He had rushed his last appointment along with Miss Franks, his most dreaded client. She had an obsession with a European boy band and believed that the lead singer was sending her telepathic romantic messages. Arashi stopped by a local florist near his home.
“Arashi!” yelled Mr. Tulip, whose nickname was given by his granddaughter.
“Hi, Tulip. I wanted your help with putting together a nice bouquet for a woman I’m going to spend some time with this evening. Her favorite color is purple.”
“Ahhh! New lady, huh?” Mr. Tulip said, his wide, pink cheeks expanding with a huge, gummy smile.
“Yes, I’d like to impress her, so I need some suggestions.”
“OK, let’s see here. We can use this vase.” Tulip grabbed an elegant crystal vase with cross hatching along the base. He then spoke loudly as he went to different sections of his store grabbing items.
“I have some purple hybrid calla lilies. We can mix in baby irises and hyacinth.” Tulip’s fingers worked over the arrangement quickly and meticulously. He grabbed violet and silver satin ribbons, lavender tulle, and light green, tall grasses.
“That’s incredible. I have no idea how you know what to get, but this is going to work perfectly,” Arashi complimented.
“What do you want the card to say?” Tulip made his way back behind his desk and pulled out a 3x4” insert.
“I haven’t thought that far.”
“Well, why are you giving her these beautiful flowers? Start there.” Tulip put his glasses on and dipped his calligraphy pen in the rich, ebony ink.
“Angel, I hope you find these flowers as beautiful as I find you. I’m looking forward to getting to know you better.
Sincerely…”
“No, not ‘Sincerely’!” Tulip balked. “Try ‘Hoping to be yours.’”
“Hmm – never heard that before. Isn’t that a little too assertive? I mean, this is only our second date,” Arashi questioned.
“Maybe, but is that what she likes?” Tulip looked at Arashi, tipping his glasses on his nose.
“She likes men who know what they want,” Arashi thought to himself. “OK. You persuaded me,” he smiled. Tulip finished the note and attached it to the flowers. He made some finishing touches and handed the arrangement to Arashi. Arashi took out his wallet to pay.
“So where are you taking this special lady?” Tulip asked as he handed Arashi his receipt.
“I’m going to have a nice dinner and movie with her – at her place,” Arashi smiled slyly.
“Mr. Casanova!” Tulip laughed. They said their goodbyes and Arashi headed home. He walked in the door of his house and turned the alarm off. He placed the flowers on the kitchen counter and washed his hands. King rubbed his head on the back of Arashi’s leg, waiting to be scratched.
“Hey, Boy! Did ya miss me?” Arashi asked.
“I did,” a voice from his living room responded. Arashi quickly turned. He saw Ryoko sitting on his couch, naked, with only a pair of red high heels on.
His heart began to pound.
“How did you get into my house?” Arashi yelled.
“I made a copy of your key,” Ryoko laughed. “I saw you deactivate your alarm enough times to know the code. You always said I was sly.” She flipped her mid-back-length, dark, straight hair over her shoulder; tilted her head; and smiled.
Ryoko opened her legs, exposing a dark patch of pubic hair.
“Don’t you miss this? Don’t you want some?” she asked as a wiry, twisted smile took over her sordid expression.
“Get the hell out of my house.” Arashi grabbed his cell phone and dialed 911. Ryoko leaped off the couch and ran towards him.
“Hang up!” Ryoko spat. King began to bark and growl ferociously, then lunged towards Ryoko. Arashi dropped the phone and grabbed King by the leg to stop the impending bite.
“Ryoko, you have one minute to get your clothes on and get out of my house or I will call the police. This is breaking and entering. I don’t want you here!” Arashi screamed. Ryoko looked behind Arashi and noticed the flowers on the counter.
“Flowers? Who are you fucking?” she yelled at the top of her lungs.
“Sixty, fifty-nine, fifty-eight…,” Arashi counted as he picked his cell phone up. Ryoko backed away slowly. She slid her black pencil skirt and red silk blouse back on. It was the outfit she always wore when she wanted to have sex with Arashi because she knew he liked it.
She sobbed loudly as she put on each article of clothing.
“I can’t believe this,” she uttered. “You’re with someone else?” she questioned.
“Yes, now go before King gets a taste of you. I won’t stop him again,” Arashi warned.
“Who is she? How long have you known her?” Ryoko asked calmly.
“Thirty-five, thirty-four, thirty-three, thirty-two…,” Ryoko grabbed her car keys while Arashi made a phone call.
“Yes, I need someone over at my house as soon as possible to change my locks. Thank you.” Ryoko closed the door behind her slowly and left.
* * *
“Man, I told you that you were going to have the police on Rotary,” Morris said while reading the ingredients on the back of a jar of peanut butter.
“Ryoko,” Arashi corrected. Arashi picked up various fruits while Morris threw items into the cart expecting Arashi to once again pick up the tab.
“She’s not going to let this drop, Arashi. Now she knows you’re into someone else. It’s a wrap, dude.” Morris pinched off a grape and ate it.
“Morris, I have people come to me at least once a week who are being stalked or are the stalker themselves, but I had no idea I’d be dealing with the same thing. I didn’t think she’d react this way. I’m trying to avoid police involvement, but she’s left me no choice. After she left, I had a locksmith change all the locks.
I paid double because I needed him right away due to my date tonight. I changed my alarm code too. King knew who she was, so she was able to come in with no problem. Once he saw that she was trying to attack me, he nearly sent her to the hospital.”
“Good! While she was laid up, maybe you could have gotten some peace! Why don’t you get a restraining order?” Morris questioned.
“I am. I’m going to take care of it first thing tomorrow. I’m so disheartened it’s come to this. She doesn’t have a history of obsessive behavior. Many people in our circle know her.”
“None of that matters, Arashi. The fact of the matter is that she’s making your life difficult.
People break up every day. She had no right to follow you and break into your home. I know you care about her and don’t want her to get into trouble, but think about it this way, she could jeopardize what you’re trying to have with Angel.” Morris picked up some Fruit Loops and tossed them into the cart.
“You’re right. I suppose I hadn’t really thought of it that way.”
"Hey, I thought you said you weren’t cooking for her? I hope you don’t or she’ll be calling 911 tonight!” Morris laughed.
“Ha ha, very funny,” Arashi smirked. “I know she likes fruit so I wanted to pick some up, then I’m going to get carryout from Chen’s.”
“Damn!”
“Hey, I live in Chestnut Hill, and Chen’s has the best Chinese carryout,” Arashi explained.
“
True, true. You’re going all out I see. Chen’s is pricey. You got her some gourmet flowers
‘n shit, and now you’re putting a fruit basket together for her.
Hey, you wanna date me? I’m sure Julia won’t mind,” Morris laughed. Arashi laughed.
“I’m not doing anything unusual. This is how I treat someone I’m dating. I used to get flowers all the time for Ryoko and women before her. Flowers are so sensual.”
“They’re a waste of money if you ask me! They die as soon as you buy ’em,” Morris balked.
“You would say that, cheapskate!” Arashi jabbed Morris in the side as he went to the checkout line.
“Hey, I’m not cheap! I’m frugal. There’s a difference,”
Morris corrected.
“Yeah, one’s the truth, and the other one’s a way to avoid it,”
Arashi smirked. “I need to get changed quickly and get to her recital. Here are your free groceries you damn charity case!” He handed Morris his bag.
“OK, man. Give me a call tonight if you’ve forgotten how to put on a rubber. I’ll walk you through it,” he chuckled. Arashi gave him the middle finger and got into his car.
* * *
“5 – 6 – 7 – 8! 5 – 6 – 7 – 8!” a bald-headed man in a gray leotard repeated while the room of dancers moved to and fro.
“Gloria, you’re falling behind. 5 – 6 – 7 – 8!”
“OK, Angel’s going to show you how to do the new dance we’ll be performing next week.
Watch her, and we’ll give it a try in twenty.” Angel was standing on the side taking a sip of water. Her hair was wound into a sloppy, high pony tail and her feet and ankles were wrapped.
She wore a black leotard with a purple sash. She slowly placed her water down and moved her hand in the air to cue the music. Another dancer that was leaning against the wall pushed the
“Play” button on the CD player.
When can my heart beat again?
When does the pain ever end?
Babyface droned.
Angel slowly twirled while everyone watched. Placing both of her hands behind her back, she spun again and again, as if there was an invisible string spinning her like a top. The movements were slow and seductive. She leaped across the floor, extending her arm in front of her, tilting ever so slightly to the right, then back into a full standing position.
