Straight No Chaser- The Beginning

by Devin Nishea

  I was running late leaving the house so, I ran out of the house, which proved to be tricky because of my workout earlier. I sent Jake a quick text letting him know I was running late and on the way. He was running late, too, so I felt a little better and slowed down to catch my breath.

  Jake and I actually pulled into the parking lot at the same time, but I parked a few spaces down from him.

  We walked in and the hostess gave us this ginormous smile.

  “Welcome you two, how are you?” she asked.

  “We’re good,” we said in unison.

  “Right this way,” she instructed.

  As we were following her I noticed she was taking us to the dimly lit, somewhat secluded section of the restaurant.

  “Ma’am, where are you taking us?” I asked.

  “Oh, I thought you two would like it here,” she responded.

  “Oh, um, yeah we can sit towards the front in an area that’s well lit, please,” I told her.

  “Yes ma’am, right this way,” she said.

  I know I put a wrench in her plan, but nope, not tonight. I have to keep my eye on him—no funny business.

  “Okay, love birds, here we go,” she said smiling as she sat the menus down on the table.

  “Thank you,” we said again in unison.

  “Well, Ms. Zen, thanks again for meeting me tonight,” Jake said.

  “No problem J,” I said.

  “We’re calling me J, again?” he asked while smiling.

  I hadn’t realized I had even called him that as I was looking over the menu. I looked up from the menu.

  With one eyebrow raised I said, “Sorry, didn’t mean for that to slip out, but somewhat of a habit, I guess.”

  “It’s okay, Zen, kind of nice to hear you call me that,” Jake said.

  I shook my head and continued to look at the menu. We placed our drink and food orders and then the awkward silence happened.

  “Well, okay, let’s break this awkwardness,” he said.

  I interrupted, “Yes, I agree, so, why’d you ask me to dinner? I’m very curious.”

  “Straight to it, huh?” he asked.

  “Come on J, you know me. Straight, no chaser. Now answer my question. Please.” as I cleared my throat.

  “Okay, like I told you on the phone, I miss you and I wanted to see you. I thought it was a great idea, especially since you were promoted today.”

  Our drinks came at the right time. I ordered a shot of whiskey to sip but I downed it in 0.5 seconds…flat!

  “So, you missed me? That’s very interesting to me because a few months ago this wasn’t your story. You couldn’t wait to get away from me,” I reminded him.

  “You’re right. Zen, I just want to apologize for lying to you,” he said.

  I was surprised to hear what I was hearing. What was he up to?

  “J, why’d you and your girl break up?” I asked.

  He looked away and said, “Honestly, she didn’t trust me after we got together.”

  I laughed. Hysterically.

  “Wait. So, let me get this straight. The person you cheated on me with couldn’t trust you!? Whoa!” I said still laughing.

  “Yeah, but I wasn’t cheating or lying to her,” he said.

  “Karma.” I said shaking my head.

  Our food came to the table and looked amazing. The waiter refilled our waters and I ordered a whiskey sour this time.

  “So you thought that asking me out and telling me this would do what?” I asked.

  “I didn’t think anything. I just wanted to see you. I told you, I missed you,” he said.

  “Ok J,” I said. You know what, let’s just enjoy this food and the night.”

  I didn’t want to argue with him or eat dinner with all of this tension. I like food too much to disrespect it like that. We spent the rest of the meal talking about our jobs and my promotion. Surprisingly, it was a good night.

  Jake walked me to my car after we finished up dinner.

  “J, thank you for tonight, for dinner. I, surprisingly, had a pretty good time,” I admitted.

  “Yeah, Zen, I’m not so bad right?” he said laughing.

  “You’re alright.”

  I laughed.

  There was another pause of awkward silence. Jake hugged me. Tight. And, man, did it feel good. I hadn’t realized how long it had been since I had another body against mine. Not in a sexual way, just, affection.

  I cleared my throat and pulled away from him.

  “Sorry, I just…” he said.

  “J, it’s okay.” I interrupted as he stared deep into my eyes. What? Why are you staring?”

  “You’re so beautiful,” he said.

  “Typical. J, let’s not go there ok?” I said. “I did not agree to meet you tonight to try and rekindle anything and before you try kissing me, I’m saying good night.”

  I got in my car. Presumptuous, but I couldn’t take any chances and I needed to get out of there. Besides, I think I wanted him to kiss me.

  Chapter 12

  My days off proved to be more than needed. I slept until 11 AM every day. The first day I did absolutely nothing, but clean my house. I didn’t realize I had slacked this much on my domestic duties.

  After I completed a deep cleansing of my house, I celebrated with a nice glass of Chatham Hill white wine on my couch in the quiet. Perfect day.

  After keeping my cell phone off all day, I decided to reconnect with the real world. My notifications were going crazy; between the emails, voicemail and texts, I wanted to throw my phone through the window!

  I was so engrossed on my catching up, when I realized, I hadn’t eaten all day. This was starting to be a really bad habit. I decided to just stay in for the night and cook.

  I had been dying to try this new recipe and why not try it out tonight? I went to the kitchen to see if I had all the ingredients. Just my luck, I had to go to the store. That meant putting on clothes and I had been in the house all day. Now, I had to decide if I really wanted to make this dish.

  After debating with myself for about ten minutes, I decided to get up and make that store run anyway. I walked into the grocery store and walked the aisles in case I needed other items as well. This was awesome, because I hated grocery shopping. Since I was going to barricade myself in my house for the weekend, I decided to try some dessert recipes as well.

  “Oh I could make banana pudding on Sunday, I haven’t made that in a long time,” I said out loud.

  “I love your banana pudding,” I heard a man’s voice say.

  I turned around quickly in case I needed to defend myself.

  It was Jake.

  “Hey J. You almost got hit sneaking up on me like that,” I said with an eye roll.

  “My bad. But I do love your banana pudding,” he said.

  “Thanks.”

  I turned to walk away.

  Why did I do that? He thought it was an invite to follow me.

  “It’s like that Zen?” he asked looking sad.

  “Don’t look at me like that, J,” I said.

  He makes the cutest sad face that I could never resist.

  “J, stop following me, please,” I laughed.

  “I know you couldn’t hold it in much longer,” he said laughing.

  “Shut your face!” I said, still laughing.

  “It’s good to see you again, second day in a row. You know how that could be looked at right?” he said.

  I interrupted him, “As nothing. We’re just both here at the same time, sir, nothing more, nothing less.”

  “Awe, Zen, come on now. I’m just playing,” he said.

  “Mmmhmm,” I said, as I gave him a side eye.

  “Do I get an invite for dinner and dessert?” he finally asked.

  “Man, you’re bold,” I said. Who are you here with anyway?” I asked.

  “I came in for toilet paper and looked up and saw your beautiful face,” he said.

  “You’re too kind. Please…STOP!” I said.

>   This going back and forth was working on my last nerve. I looked over and there he was, Mr. Handsome. Great I looked like crap! But, at least my hair was done.

  We caught each other’s eyes and he began to walk towards me.

  “Zen…Zen! Are you listening to me?” Jake asked.

  I had zoned out, watching Isaiah walk over.

  “What? I’m sorry, what did you say?” I asked Jake.

  “Nothing, I was messing with you,” he said.

  Mr. Handsome had finally made it over to myself and Jake.

  “Well, hello there, how are you?” I asked. I had the biggest smile on my face.

  “I’m well, thank you for asking,” he said.

  Jake cleared his throat, which broke my trance.

  “This is Jake, Jake this is Isaiah,” I said as I introduced them.

  Ugh, I wanted Jake to walk away but that was asking too much! They both shook hands. (Insert awkward silence.) I looked at Jake and gave him the ‘please leave’ look.

  “Oh, Zen it was great seeing you again. Call me when you make the banana pudding. I’d love to come by for some.” he said.

  Jerk. I didn’t answer. I just smiled and let out a deep sigh.

  “I didn’t interrupt anything, did I?” Isaiah asked.

  “A welcomed interruption,” I said laughing.

  “So, we’re making banana pudding?” he inquired.

  Thanks Jake.

  “Uh yeah, at some point this weekend,” I said.

  “Homemade or that instant pudding stuff?” he said as he turned up his nose.

  “Do you see any instant pudding in my cart,” I replied laughing. I try to make everything from scratch, FYI.”

  “Okay, okay, I see you,” he said flashing those pretty teeth of his. Good to know.”

  “Why good to know?” I asked.

  “It’s just good to know,” he said.

  “Anyway, how’s your day been?” I asked.

  “It’s been good, busy, but good. I think we’re close to wrapping up the merger and then I’ll be able to breathe again,” he said.

  “Good for you,” I said.

  My phone began to ring, thank God. I remembered I still needed to cook.

  “Hello?” I said. Hey girl! Yes. I’m at the store picking up things for dinner. Meet me at the house. Oh and what bottle of wine would you like? Okay, see ya in a few!” I said as I hung up the phone.

  “I’m holding you up,” he said, apologetically.

  “It’s okay, Jake was talking my head off earlier, so I can make a little time for you. But, I do have to get out of here now,” I said.

  “Yeah, I heard. No worries, give me a call later,” he said. It was good seeing you.” He began walking away.

  “It was good seeing you, too,” I replied walking away.

  I wondered if he was watching me walk away this time. I wanted to look but didn’t want to look stupid, again. So, I kept walking this time.

  Amy was waiting on me when I got to my house.

  I jumped out of the car, “Hey girl!” I exclaimed. Help me with these bags.”

  “Hey girl! Where have you been? I started to call the police,” she said jokingly.

  “Well, first, I got my promotion yesterday!” I exclaimed, doing my happy dance.

  Amy screamed and danced with me for the entire neighborhood to see and hear.

  “AND…I had dinner with J last night. Before you drop my groceries come in the house so I can tell you all about it, and stop looking at me like that,” I demanded.

  “Wait, what?” she asked, looking perplexed.

  As we walked into the house I sat the keys on the table and locked the door behind us, and jetted to the kitchen.

  “Ok, it’s your fault; you didn’t answer your phone!” I said jokingly. “Kidding!”

  “I knowwwww…I missed your call, now I really hate I missed your call,” she said.

  “But, surprisingly, it went way better than I thought,” I said.

  I started putting up the groceries and cooking us dinner.

  “Okay, sooo…how’d you two get to dinner?” she asked as I poured our two glasses of wine.

  “Ha! Well, after I couldn’t get in touch with you to tell you my good news,…”

  Amy interrupted me, “So, you called him!?”

  “It wasn’t like that. I didn’t call with the intention of telling him. It just fell out of my mouth when he asked about work. Then he asked what I was doing to celebrate and, at the time, I wasn’t doing anything, so he asked me to dinner and wouldn’t take no for an answer.” I explained all in one run-on sentence.

  “I can’t believe she had dinner with the enemy,” Amy said shaking her head.

  “He said he missed me. Don’t look at me like that; I didn’t fall for any of his shenanigans. He said he and that girl broke up, too. And get this—because she couldn’t trust him. HA!” I said laughing.

  “Ohhhhh, the side chick couldn’t trust him, big surprise!” Amy joked.

  “Right. That’s what I told him. He walked me to my car and, girl, I forgot how long it had been since I had been hugged, because when he did, WOOO!! I thought he was going to try and kiss me, but I jumped in the car and left.” I said, taking a sip of wine.

  “Good for you!” Amy said.

  “And…,” I said.

  “Oh, gosh,” Amy interrupted.

  “This isn’t crazy at all. Lunch with Mr. Handsome went okay. I told you he was separated, right?” I asked.

  “Yeah,” Amy said.

  “He’s been separated for about six months.”

  “Girl, he’s still married and that’s too soon in my opinion,” Amy said.

  “Yeah, I know and it sucks! And I saw him at the store a few minutes ago which means he may live on this side of town,” I told her.

  Amy laughed.

  “It’s not funny!” I said.

  Dinner was finally done and we sat at the table and laughed and talked some more.

  “Okay, so, enough about me. What’s going on with you?” I asked Amy, intrigued. She had been getting closer with her new man.

  “Not much, I’m finally happy. Everything seems to be falling into place or has fallen into place. Every day isn’t a bed of roses, but I’m happy,” she said with the biggest smile.

  I sat and I took in everything she was saying. Amy was a little hard to please sometimes so when she was telling me all was well, I knew she wasn’t lying. I was excited for her and her future. She was beyond deserving of her happiness.

  “Awe, Boo, I’m so happy for you. A little envious, but I’m sooo happy for you,” I told her.

  She looked at me and we both had tears in our eyes. Then we burst out laughing at each other because we were the biggest saps in the world.

  “Girl, your happiness is on the way,” she assured me.

  “Yeah, I know, it’s on the way, everything is going well in my life. I’m just trying to get a handle on this love life of mine,” I told her. “But, I’m trying not to worry about that. I’m trying to get past J and then I’ll be good.”

  “Girl, you’ve got this, it takes time, you know that,” Amy said.

  “Yeah, I just wish he wasn’t trying to get back in my good graces or whatever you want to call it,” I said as I rolled my eyes.

  “Agreed.” Amy said astutely while holding up her wine glass.

  “Let us pray,” I said.

  Amy looked at me like I was crazy.

  “Lord, please don’t let me fall for this fool, again, after what he did to me. Block the fools Lord, block the FOOLS! Amen,” I said.

  Amy burst out laughing.

  “Yes Lord, block the fools!” she mimicked me while taking a sip of wine.

  We both laughed.

  “Man, I have some crazy friends,” Amy said.

  “Oh…and you support my crazy. Sometimes,” I responded.

  I laughed and took our empty plates to the kitchen counter for more food and discovered we had eaten everything I
cooked.

  “Hey, since you’re up, I want more pasta ma’am,” Amy said.

  I laughed, “We ate it all. I wanted more, too.”

  “Oh, well, suppose I didn’t need any more, huh?” Amy said.

  “I think I’m making a chocolate pie tomorrow, if you want to stop by. I know for sure I’m making a banana pudding Sunday,” I said.

  The one thing I loved about Amy was she loved to eat just as much as I did. So she was always up to trying new dishes or restaurants with me.

  “Man, I didn’t realize it was this late,” Amy said.

  I was cleaning up the kitchen and putting the remainder of the dishes in the dishwasher.

  “What time is it?” I asked.

  “It’s almost 11 PM!” Amy said.

  “I stopped keeping track of the time since I don’t have to be back to work until Monday morning,” I said with a smirk.

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, you let me know if you make that chocolate pie. If not, I’ll see you Sunday for my banana pudding girl,” she said.

  I walked her to the door and watched her until she pulled out of the driveway. I walked back into the kitchen to sweep up, poured another glass of wine and watched TV.

  While Amy was with me, I totally forgot about my phone. I picked it up and saw I had text messages from J and Mr. Handsome. I was on such a high, I didn’t bother reading either of their messages. I continued to watch TV for the rest of the night.

  Chapter 13

  As my extended staycation was coming to an end, I sat in bed on this wonderful beautiful Sunday morning and took everything in. I got up and fixed my morning coffee. While my coffee was brewing, I decided to attend the early service at my church. I got dressed, had a few more cups of coffee and off I went.

  Church was just what I needed. I hadn’t been in what felt like forever. I arrived just in time. My Pastor had just gotten up to the pulpit so I grabbed a seat on the last pew.

  After church I went to speak to the parentals. You would’ve thought I had just gotten back from the war the way my mom acted.

  “Mom, I know I haven’t been here in a while, but you’re acting like you haven’t seen me in forever,” I said.

  “Well, glad to see you here this morning, baby,” she said.

  “Hey daddy.” I said as I hugged him.

  “Hey, surprised to see you at the early service,” he said.