Cafe Romance

by Curtis Bennett

“Thank you cous for your concern,” Kurt began, his eyes reflecting a touch of sadness, “Look, you’re one of my most trusted relatives,” he began. A benevolent smile spread across Dwayne’s face when Kurt dropped that line. “Cous, this is my wife you’re talking about and I am still in love with her, if you haven’t noticed.”

  “Well, that just might explain why you’re not dipping your straw into some serious chocolate sundae right now. I’m talk’n with whipped cream and fudge,” Dwayne chuckled, as he patted Kurt on the shoulder. “And let’s not forget the cherry on top.”

  Kurt released an exasperated sigh. “Listen, women and sex is not the issue here, cous. At least, not with me. What you’re talking about is one thing. What I’m talking about is another. I’m talking about love and commitment. And simply put, I know that my wife still loves me.”

  “Perhaps. But where is this thing called love getting you? Where? Look at you. You look as though you’ve already lost twenty pounds worrying over that woman.”

  “Thank you, but I needed to lose the weight, just the same.”

  “Well, I’m not going to argue with you on that. But I’m tell’n you. There are family members who are bitter about the way she left you hanging out to dry like this, especially right after you had just lost your job. Hell, your situation wasn’t so bad that she couldn’t stay a little while longer. The general family consensus is that she could have hung in there with you. At least until you got back on your feet. After all, you were not being abusive to her in anyway.”

  Kurt rolled his eyes heavenward, wondering how and exactly when he had become the center of everyone’s concern. Besides, where was family before this?

  Running his fingers through his hair, he stood up. “Look, Dwayne. I don’t expect you or anyone else to fully understand my situation with Leslie but we have something special, something real. Something worth fighting for, man.”

  “Well, if that is so, why isn’t she here with you?”

  Kurt exhaled. “Lord knows. But I aim to find out.”

  “I’m sure you will.”

  “Look, my hope is to win my wife back. That’s the bottom line.”

  Dwayne shook his head as the two paced the floor in silence.

  Then their gaze met.

  “Let me ask you something, Kurt,” Dwayne said, with his hands on his hips like an attorney about to plead his case before a jury. “How long has it been since Leslie left you?”

  “About nine months.”

  “And how often do you two get to see one another?”

  “She flies here at least every couple of months. The last time we met, I flew to Oklahoma to be with her.”

  “So, you’re telling me that she doesn’t want a divorce, but she doesn’t want to live with you either. And you’re content with having just a part time wife?”

  “I never said that. The position is still a full time position. And I’ve stressed this fact with her every chance I see her.”

  After a pause, Dwayne continued his cross-examination. “I was just wondering. When you two get together, I imagine you two are intimate.”

  Kurt lowered his head, as if to contemplate whether or not to respond to this very private and personal question. With slightly averted eyes, he said, “We’re as intimate as any other married couple.”

  “Okay. Let me try to understand this. You live apart, but when you two are around one another you get along like pals, more like college sweethearts. You go out on the town, enjoy one another’s company, hug and kiss, and are intimate. And when the gig is up, you both go your own separate ways. Trust me on this. There’s something she’s not tell’n you, cous.”

  “Yeah, you go figure.”

  “Or perhaps something you’re not tell’n me.”

  “Like I said, go figure,” Kurt replied slightly annoyed. “And there’s nothing more I can add to the discussion.”

  “I wished I had the time to probe you a little more. But I have to be going. You know how Jacqui is when I run late for her special Sunday evening meals. I’m talk’n a five course meal.”

  “Yeah, that wonderful wife of yours is a terrific cook. I wouldn’t want to miss any of her meals either.”

  “Well, I’m certainly going to miss her cooking,” Dwayne said.

  “That’s right. Your job is sending you to Atlanta for six weeks. When are you leaving?”

  “In the morning. I’m going to train on a new jet engine that’s coming online soon.”

  “Yeah, you aviation repair types have to keep those planes in the air.”

  “Twenty-four seven, cous.”

  “Amazing,” Kurt nodded.

  “Hey, how’s the unemployment compensation coming along?”

  “It’s keeping me afloat, along with whatever Leslie is able to send me.”

  “Good,” Dwayne murmured. “How much time left on it?”

  “About three months then my unemployment runs out. Hopefully the house will be sold before then.”

  “I hope so,” Dwayne murmured, as he gathered his car keys and cap.

  “Well, just give me a call when you get back,” Kurt said.

  “Sure thing, cous,” Dwayne said, flashing a toothy smile.

  An emotionally exhausted Kurt turned and walked his cousin to the door. The two had been at it for well over an hour. Though he could be intense and thought provoking, at times, he knew Dwayne meant well. There were few family members who could get this deep into his personal business. Dwayne was that rare exception. Besides, it was good to have someone around to talk to and bounce one’s thoughts off of. Emotional baggage the likes he was carrying was not something he wanted to keep to himself.

  “Well cous, above all things, remember you’re da man!” Dwayne bellowed as he gave his cousin an impromptu high-five and hug. “Hey, one more thing before I leave. You might consider giving Leslie an ultimatum. And if that doesn’t work you need to get away from her the first chance you get. Believe me, if she really loves you, she’ll find her way back to you. Hell, if she doesn’t…there’s always other fish out in the sea. But seriously, I hope your strategy works. I know you’re serious. And I know you love her. I just hope your get-togethers are more than just a ‘booty-call’ for both of you.”

  “Whatever,” Kurt chuckled, shaking his cousin’s head playfully with his large hand.

  “By the way. I don’t want to forget your Mega Lotto ticket,” Dwayne said, withdrawing the worn looking ticket from his pocket and handing it over to Kurt. “100 million dollars, baby! The drawing is at the end of the week. You win this and I have no doubt she’ll come running back to you. And break all kinds of speed records doing it.”

  Kurt smiled then grew thoughtful. Peering out the door, he waved goodbye to his jovial cousin. Closing the door, he returned to the living room. Walking over to the stereo, he put on a jazz CD and flopped down on the sofa. The man who would dare to believe in love quietly dozed off, his worn lotto ticket hanging loosely in his grip.

  As Yvette had predicted, the loan officer told her that she would need a substantial amount of money up front. At least fifteen grand before she would qualify for the $60,000 small business loan. Undeterred, she smiled and thanked the loan officer for his time. She never mentioned that she had already accumulated and put aside nearly $12,500 in savings to open up her restaurant. It would take her another five months to raise the additional three grand. No big deal, she thought. This was just a fact-finding mission. Patience, she reminded herself. Nothing was going to stop her from going into business.

  Driving across town, she parked at one of her favorite restaurants and sat at one of the outdoor tables, the kind with the patio umbrella in the center. In a short while, she took off her sunglasses and glanced over at a vehicle pulling up. It was Juanita. She watched as her trusted friend emerged from her newly purchased SUV wearing a lime colored pantsuit with a notched collar jacket and three matching buttons. Though there were times her language could embarrass a salty ole sailor, few women had the poise and
grace and good taste this woman possessed when it came to fine fashions.

  “Over here, Juanita!” she called out, as she pushed back a strand of windblown hair.

  Yvette stood up and the two greeted one another with a hug.

  “Gal, that is one tuff looking outfit you’re wearing,” Yvette said with a toothy smile. “You look like a million dollars.”

  “Why thank you, Yvette,” Juanita replied, as the two took a seat at the outdoor diner. “I see you’ve got it going on with your pantsuit too. Bootae sticking all out.” Yvette was wearing a brown shawl-color double breast jacket with matching skirt. “A recent purchase?”

  Yvette laughed. “I bought it well over a month ago but finally decided I’d wear it today.”

  “Well, did you walk by any handsome men along the way over here?”

  “I imagine a few, why?”

  “Did you catch any of them looking?”

  “Looking at what, Juanita?” Yvette asked while blushing.

  “That big bootae of yours?”

  “Juanita, it’s not the looking that concerns me,” Yvette replied.

  “Then what?”

  “It’s the fantasizing that’s going on while they’re looking.”

  “Well gal, at least you have something that’s worth fantasizing about,” Juanita teased. “Anyway, I have to say you are definitely making a fashion statement today, gal.”

  “Believe me, this was the only outfit I had ready to wear and didn’t need to press.”

  “I know how that can be,” Juanita chuckled lightly, as she paused to order a Reuben Rye sandwich. “So what’s going on? It’s been nearly four days since we last spoke.”

  “Well, I went to three banks today to get some more information on small business loans. Of the three, one looks promising. The first two banks want me to come up with 18 grand before they will even discuss a loan with me. The last one wants me to have at least 15 grand on hand to qualify for their business loan.”

  “Fifteen grand?”

  “Don’t worry. I already have nearly thirteen grand saved up.”

  “Well, you’re almost there sweetie. Anyway, if you need a partner, let me know.”

  “Gladly,” Yvette said, accepting the tall chill glass of pink lemonade from the busty waitress.

  “Have you scouted around for locations?”

  “No, not really. But I’m keeping my eyes open.”

  “As they say, location is everything.”

  “Yes. Location, location, location.”

  “That’s right.”

  “You know, I hope they don’t give me the damn run around.”

  “Who?”

  “The small business loan bank. I’ve heard enough stories about how difficult it is for women to get approved for these kinds of loans.”

  “Yeah, in many ways it’s still a man’s world out there.”

  “I hope not. Women’s suffrage ended decades ago.”

  “You’re right about that. Speaking of men. Have you met any yet?”

  “No Juanita. And I’m not looking either. So don’t start with me, gal,” Yvette laughed.

  “Well, just take it from me. Keep dressing like Ms. Success Story and see if you don’t have all the men looking at you.”

  “You really think so.”

  “Gal, you know you’re a budding flower just waiting to be plucked.”

  “I am? And what about your love life?”

  Juanita felt a wave of excitement rush through her as she replied, “Gal, remember that tall handsome dark-skinned brother I was tell’n you about last week, the one that looked like Poetry In Motion, Mr. Universe, and Black Ecstasy all rolled into one? The one I was hoping was hung like a damn mule.”

  “Yeah, I remember.”

  “Well, he is! I finally got to ride that mule a couple of nights ago.”

  “Nooo.” Yvette blushed.

  “Yesss!” Juanita laughed.

  “Gal, you’re too much.”

  “Hell, that mule was too much,” she broke in with a chuckle.

  “I hear you, gal.”

  “You know, I’m probably going to be walking bow-legged for at least another day or two.”

  “You mean he put it to you that good?”

  “Like a convict just released from solitary confinement,” Juanita grinned.

  “Well, I’m happy for you.”

  “In case you’re interested, Miss Prissy. He has a cute looking younger brother. And he’s just as fine. Probably just as hung.”

  “Thanks but no thanks.”

  “What are you afraid of, Leslie? I’m tell’n you, that coochie of yours is just going to dry up.”

  “I guess you can say I’m saving it.”

  “Saving it? Hell, for whom?”

  “I don’t know. But he’s out there somewhere, I’m sure.”

  “Well, whoever he is, he’s going to have to be one special dude to get you to give it up.”

  Yvette touched her friend’s hand lightly and chuckled. “Whatever.”

  “You think I’m playing but I’m serious gal,” Juanita said with a straight face. “There’s a man out there who is going to pin your ass down and rock your world. Trust me on that.”

  “Like I said, whatever,” Yvette came back with a wide grin.

  Chapter 5

  It was an hour before the Oklahoma sunset. Leslie had gotten into the habit of jumping in bed early to catch some rest before embarking on a night out on the town. Occasionally she suffered from a mild case of anemia. Starting up a fledgling business took a lot of time and energy. And usually by the end of the day her batteries had run desperately low. Today was no different. Adding to her long day was Kurt’s arrival earlier in the day. When he was in town she knew she had to be operating on all eight cylinders. He was always full of energy and ready to hit the road running.

  The few hours Leslie rested, Kurt sat in the living room talking to his sister-in-law, Lorna. Lorna was a court stenographer by trade. The two abided their time trading stories about her job and his former job. A while later, Lorna retreated to her bedroom to catch a snooze too.

  Kurt yawned and glanced down at his watch. It was nearing six o’clock in the evening. Time to wake Leslie up from her beauty rest. He wanted to hit the restaurant scene before nine o’clock, then the nightclub scene no later than ten.

  Lying on the bed wearing only a black bra and smoke-colored panty hose, Leslie looked shapely, supple, and damned sensuous as ever to him. Before he realized it, he was unbuttoning his shirt and stepping out of his trousers. Dinner would have to wait, he mused. Walking over to the stereo, he put on a piano jazz CD.

  Easing onto the bed, he drew close to her warm perfumed body. Reaching for the hooks on the back of her black lacy bra he carefully unfastened them. She stirred slightly, and then woke up. She appeared tired and in a dream-like state. Before she could say anything, he positioned his chiseled body above hers. Gently, he kissed her cheeks as he slowly grinded her. To his dismay, she responded with a mild protest, asking him to put a stop to his advances. But he didn’t. Not right away.

  Clearing her throat, she again asked him to remove himself from off her.

  Exasperated, he cried out, “What’s in hell is wrong, Leslie?”

  “I’m just not in the mood, right now,” she said, as her voice broke slightly. Though pinned beneath him, she managed to sit up but did not look at him directly. “God, my throat feels so dry. Could you please pass me that bottled water over there?”

  Reluctantly, Kurt removed himself from above her and reached for the water bottle. He watched as she took a swallow.

  “So, what’s up?” he asked, lying next to her with his head resting in the palm of his hand. “What did I do or say?”

  “Nothing dear, I’m just not in the mood.”

  “You seemed fine a couple of hours ago.”

  “Well, that was then.”

  “Damn, baby. It’s been three months since we last saw one another. Don’t you hav
e any nature?”

  “I sure do. Just not now.”

  Still aroused, he reached over and slipped his hand inside her blouse in an attempt to caress her heaving breasts. If he could just get her slightly aroused, he thought. She’d probably let him in. But she blocked his advance with her hand.

  “Please, Kurt. Let’s just get dress and go out to dinner.”

  “Come on baby. Is it going to kill you to help me release some of this tension that’s been building up inside of me?”

  “Is that all you think I’m good for?” she said, placing a pillow between them.

  “Look, I don’t say that when you come to visit me, especially when you want me to scratch that itch, and right away.”

  Silent, her lids slipped down over her eyes.

  “So, you’re just going to leave me frustrated. Just like that. Dammit…do you have any desire left for me?”

  “Sometimes.”

  “Sometimes? I guess that means when you’re not around family. You know, I’ve notice that whenever we’re around your family, you seem to be distant with me. Why is that?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Just think about it, Leslie.”

  “Look, are we going out to eat or not?”

  “Yeah, just go ahead and change the subject. But you cannot deny that you act one way around me and another way around your people.”

  “My people?”

  “Yes, your people! People meaning family.”

  “Please Kurt…try to keep your voice down.”

  “Yeah, I know. Your sister might hear us. And we wouldn’t want that.”

  Annoyed, Leslie turned away and stared into the far corner of the room.

  Kurt reluctantly got out of the bed and put his clothes back on. “I don’t know why I try so hard, Leslie,” he murmured. “I’ll be out in the car.”

  “Hey, are we still going out for dinner or not?”

  Kurt walked off, opting not to respond.

  That’s it! He fumed silently. He was not going to go out of his way to visit her again. Not after this episode. This was the final straw. It was over between the two, he told himself. And to think she had the nerve to lie there on that bed looking so beautiful, so scrumptious, so enticing and inviting, then opting to give him the cold shoulder once he decided to touch the merchandise. To hell with women, he cursed. Who needs them? He thought as he slammed the car door shut.