by Cheryl Faye
Laughing animatedly, Charisse asked, “What did you say to her?”
“I told her I’ve got a woman and I don’t mess around.”
She was shocked. “No, you didn’t.”
“Yes, I did. It didn’t matter to her, though. She said, ‘I won’t tell her if you don’t.’”
Charisse shook her head as she handed him a tall glass of ice water. He drank it in one long gulp.
“Thirsty, huh?”
“Yeah. I meant to grab a bottle of water before I left but walked out without it.”
“That’s a very nice jacket,” she commented.
“Thanks. I had it made when I first got my bike.”
She reached out to touch the leather. “It’s really soft.”
“Like butter.” The jacket was simply tailored with a zip front closure, a barely visible breast pocket, side slits, and zippers on the cuffs of the sleeves. It was unlined, with a straight, upstanding collar, and besides the zippers, the only other noticeable detail was the name, Coop, embroidered over the pocket in red.
“Do you ride all year round?”
“No. During the spring and summer, mostly. Or in the fall, if it’s warm enough. Once the weather breaks, I break out the wheels.”
“Let me go get my helmet so we can go.” As she walked out of the kitchen, Charisse put her arms in the jacket on her shoulders. Seconds later, she returned with her helmet in hand. “Ready when you are.”
“I’m ready,” he said with a smile.
“So, where are we going to eat?” Charisse asked him.
“I’ve got something special in mind. You’ll see,” he told her as they walked out of her front door.
Charisse hopped up on Stefàn’s bike like an old pro. He was tickled by the change in her attitude from just a week ago, but was happy she felt so comfortable riding with him because he enjoyed having her on his bike.
Taking off immediately, they only rode for about twenty minutes to a small park a few towns away. When Stefàn pulled into the parking lot and turned off the engine, Charisse was puzzled. Once she had removed her helmet, she asked, “Is there a restaurant in this park?”
He was climbing off the bike when he answered, “Nope. I made dinner. I thought we could dine alfresco.”
Charisse looked at him with a questioning smile. “Alfresco?”
“Yeah, you know, out in the open, unless you want to go to a restaurant.”
“No. Alfresco is fine.” She proceeded to climb off the bike.
“Good. I have everything we need right here,” he said as he unpacked the storage containers that flanked his rear tire.
Charisse was surprised at how much he had actually packed in the containers. They were a lot bigger and deeper than they appeared from the outside. From one he pulled a bottle of red wine, napkins, cups and small paper plates, and from the other he pulled various plastic containers and utensils which he promptly placed in a thermal sac he had removed, as well. Removing his jacket, he neatly folded it and stashed it in the container he’d just emptied. Charisse also removed her jacket and handed it to him. After securing the box, Stefàn unfastened the blanket that was rolled and tied behind the seat of the bike.
“So what’s on the menu?” she asked.
“You’ll see.” He smiled. “Come on, let’s walk down by the lake. We can probably find a nice spot down there.”
“Can I help you carry some of that?” she asked.
“No, thanks. I’ve got it.”
“At least give me your helmet,” she directed.
Conceding, he handed it to her. As she closely followed where he led, Charisse had to struggle to contain the smile she felt coming from her heart.
This man is full of surprises.
About five minutes later, they came to a rise. On the other side was a pond that was set in the center of a lush stand of trees and flowering shrubs. Quite a few of the park’s patrons opted to enjoy the atmosphere in this area but it was by no means crowded. A rich, vibrant green carpet of grass immediately made her feel like kicking off her shoes and running her toes through it. Suddenly, a light breeze blew and Charisse’s nostrils were pleasantly assailed by the sweet fragrance of the beautifully colored blossoms near the lake.
“Here’s a good spot,” Stefàn said from a few feet ahead of her.
He had stopped near a large elm tree. As he put his bag down and removed the bottle of wine, Charisse cooed, “This is really nice, Stefàn.”
Smiling sheepishly, he said, “I thought you might like a little…. Well, I figured this would be better than sitting in a stuffy restaurant. It’s such a beautiful day.”
“Yes, I have to admit this is better.” Reaching for the other end of the blanket, she helped him spread it under the tree.
Minutes later, they were each barefoot and seated on the covering. Unbelievably nervous, Stefàn tried hard not to let it show as he removed the containers from the sack.
“I hope you like fried chicken.”
“Yes, I do,” she said. “Did you fry this yourself?”
“Of course. Do you think I’d serve you some Popeyes or Kentucky Fried Chicken?”
Subduing the chuckle she felt in her gut, Charisse smiled and said, “I really like Popeyes chicken.”
“Well, Miss Ellison, I’ll have you know that Popeyes doesn’t have anything on me. My fried chicken is the bomb. As a matter of fact, it’s one of my best dishes,” he intoned with mock offense.
“I didn’t say it wasn’t,” she said, defending herself.
“Well, I’m just letting you know.”
This time she didn’t try to contain her laughter. “So what else is on the menu?”
“Tossed salad, some cheese and crackers, and grapes. You know, just a little light fare.” His face suddenly taking on a boyish quality, Stefàn was worried she might be displeased by his choice of foods.
“I like cheese and crackers and grapes and salad,” she told him reassuringly.
Smiling affectionately, he chose not to reply. For the next few seconds, they gazed at one another in a manner that displayed their mutual fondness.
“Do you want to eat now?” he asked aloud but he was thinking, stay cool, Coop.
“Okay, but can we say grace first?” she asked.
“Oh, sure. Do you want to or do you want me to?”
“Would you?”
“Sure.”
Charisse watched as Stefàn lowered his head and in a soft but clear voice blessed the food. As he recited his prayer, she added her own silent word of thanks for more than just their meal. When she heard him say, “Amen,” she looked up at him and the smile she felt in her heart appeared on her face.
He began to lay out plates and utensils on the blanket so she asked, “Do you have a corkscrew for the wine?”
“Yup.” On his a key ring, aside from numerous keys, was a combination bottle opener/corkscrew attachment, which he promptly pulled off.
As he reached for the bottle of wine, she said, “I’ll make our plates.”
“Okay.”
Shifting her position on the blanket, Charisse sat with her legs folded Indian-style. She reached for the container with the salad and began to dish some out on their plates.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I put a little oil and vinegar on it so I wouldn’t have to carry dressing, too,” Stefàn informed her.
“No, that’s fine.”
“You’re so easy to please,” he said lovingly.
Blushing, she shrugged.
When he had uncorked the bottle, he poured a little into each of their cups, then set the bottle near the tree so as not to accidentally knock it over. Reaching next for the foil-wrapped bundle of chicken, he asked, “Do you like light or dark meat?”
“Dark.”
He placed a couple of legs on her plate and a breast on his own.
“Thank you. You didn’t by any chance bring any bread, did you?” she asked.
Frowning in dismay, he said, “No, sorry, but the
re’s the crackers.”
“Oh yeah. I need to lay off the bread, anyway.”
“I’ll remember next time,” he promised.
“I’m sure you will.”
As she sampled the chicken, he watched her closely, awaiting her judgment.
Her immediate, involuntary reaction speaking louder than any words, he didn’t miss when her eyebrows rose slightly and her mouth twisted in amazement.
Knowing he was waiting to hear what she thought of his cooking, she purposely remained silent.
“So?”
“So, what?” she asked teasingly.
“What do you think?”
“Oh, of the chicken?”
“Yes, of the chicken.”
“Oh. It’s good.”
He smirked. “Just good, huh?”
She laughed. “No, it’s very good, Stefàn.” Proceeding to lick the digits on her right hand, she added, “Finger lickin’ good.”
“Told you,” he said with a satisfied grin.
Laughing again, she said, “You’re just like a little boy looking for approval.”
“I’ll be that.”
When they had finished eating the chicken and salad and had their fill of cheese and crackers, they both stretched out, Stefàn on his back and Charisse on her stomach.
“This is a nice little park. It’s not as big as the one we went to last week, is it?”
“Oh no. You could put this one inside that one.”
“Have you been to all the parks in Bergen County?” Charisse asked him.
He laughed and said, “No. Actually, Julian put me on to this one. He brings his little boy up here. There’s a really cool playground on the other side of the pond.”
“Julian has a son?”
“Yeah, he’s seven years old. L’il Jay. He’s my godson.”
“Do you come here often?”
“No. I’ve actually only been here a couple of times. Once with Julian and L’il Jay and once when I was babysitting, I brought him up here.”
“You, babysitting? I can’t picture you doing that.”
“Yeah, as long as the kid is walking and talking, we can hang. I’ve got three nieces and three nephews and although I don’t do it very often, every now and then, I’ll go get them and take them out. We always have a ball, too. Little babies scare me, though,” he admitted.
“So, I guess you don’t have any kids of your own?”
“Oh, no. No baby’s mama drama here.”
Charisse laughed. “Why are you so afraid of babies?”
“They look so fragile. I’m scared I might break the kid if I hold it.”
Smiling, she said, “They’re stronger than you think. You have to make sure you hold them right.”
“That’s why I don’t bother.”
“So, you don’t ever plan to have any kids of your own, huh?”
“Oh, yeah. I love kids.”
“I’m sure your wife will expect you to hold your son or daughter before they actually learn to walk.”
In a caressing manner, Stefàn said, “Well, you’ll have to show me the right way to hold him or her.”
Charisse wasn’t completely sure she’d heard him correctly, so to avoid possible embarrassment she decided not to ask for clarification of his statement. But Stefàn watched her closely for a reaction to his comment. He smiled when he realized that she wasn’t going to entertain his statement.
Instead, she said, “Every time I talk to you, you surprise me.”
“Why is that?”
“I don’t know. I had a picture of you in my mind and I’m finding out that you’re not really what I had pictured at all.”
“Is that good or bad?” he wanted to know.
Smiling shyly, she said, “So far, it’s been good.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that. I have to admit, though, I’ve pretty much pictured you just as you are.”
“Is that good or bad?”
“It’s all good,” he said softly.
After a few minutes of thoughtful silence, Charisse said, “I really appreciate you coming by last night.”
“I need to apologize to you again for the way I behaved.”
“No, you don’t,” she insisted.
“Yeah, I do.” Stefàn rolled onto his side and propped himself up on his elbow so he was facing her. “I was thinking about it last night after I left you and I realized I acted like a jerk. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I like you, Charisse. I like you a lot. Considering we only met a week ago, the way I’ve been feeling…the strength of my feelings for you scared the hell out of me, so I was purposely avoiding you yesterday.”
Simultaneously surprised and a little bruised by his admittance, Charisse turned her face away with his revelation.
“You probably think I’m… I’ve never felt like this before. I’ve never known anyone who got under my skin so quickly and so completely. Then when I saw you get in the pool….” Stefàn huffed almost as if he couldn’t believe he was actually telling her this. “I saw the way several of the men there were looking at you and I got jealous. Pitiful, right?” he said to her.
Charisse smiled sympathetically and uttered a tender, “No.”
“I enjoy spending time with you and want to spend more time with you. I want to get to know you, Charisse, and I want you to get to know the real me.”
“Can I ask you something?” she said before he could say anything more.
“Sure.”
“You date a lot of women, right?”
“Not like you probably think. I don’t run around with a different woman every night. I’ve never done that. There were a couple of women I’d occasionally go out with, but never anything serious. It’s only been a week but I haven’t seen any of them since we met and I’ve only spoken to one and told her I couldn’t see her, and that’s pretty unusual.”
“Why did you tell her that?”
“Because I don’t want to see her, or anyone else for that matter. I’ve become….” He took a deep, resigning breath before continuing. “You’ve monopolized all of my free time, whether we’re together or not. I can’t seem to get you off my mind. I realize you’re not looking to get involved with anyone who doesn’t share the same beliefs as you, but I want to learn what makes you feel the way you do. I’m willing to do whatever I have to do to prove that I’m serious about what I’m saying to you.”
“I like you, too, Stefàn, and it kinda scares me, too, how I feel about you. I’ve been wondering if God is testing me or something to see what I would do. I told you, I’ve taken a vow of abstinence.”
“I understand and what I’m feeling is not about getting physical with you,” he sincerely stated, but felt he needed to explain fully. “I’d be lying, though, if I said I haven’t thought about you that way but I know where your head is and where your heart is, and I’m not trying to do anything to make your life difficult. Not by any means. I want you to trust me.”
“I do,” she said with a nod.
“Thank you for that,” he said as he reached out and gently touched her hand.
Charisse turned her palm up and curled her fingers around his large mitt.
“Can I share something with you?” he asked.
“Sure.”
“I couldn’t help noticing last night when I got to your house, your friend didn’t seem too pleased to see me. She doesn’t like me much, does she?”
Surprised by Stefàn’s frank comment, Charisse asked, “Why do you say that?”
“Well, yesterday at Dre’s, I jokingly made a remark about your bathing suit and she pretty much bit my head off when she informed me that you were grown and single and could do what you want, just like me. Then last night when I called and came by, she didn’t ask me in until I told her that you were expecting me.”
Charisse sighed. “She’s worried about me; that’s all.”
“Worried about what?”
“That you’re going to hurt me. She thinks you only want to take a
dvantage of me.”
He was silent as he considered what she revealed.
Wanting to assure him that she didn’t feel the same, she added, “Myra’s only seen you twice and both times you were…well…you were seemingly doing the playboy thing. She thinks you were disrespectful to me yesterday and that I’m being gullible for trusting you.”
“Wow,” he said in a near whisper.
“I told her we were just friends, but she thinks you have a secret agenda.”
“In some respects, she’s right. I do have an agenda, but it’s no secret. I want to be with you, Charisse.”
She was unable to respond to his bold declaration.
“I hope you realize, I would never consciously do anything to hurt you.”
“I wouldn’t be here, Stefàn, if I thought I had to worry about that.”
“I’m sorry she feels that way.”
“Me, too.”
“I’m glad it doesn’t affect how you feel.”
“Well, I know you a little better than she does. There’s a lot I don’t know, but what you’ve shown me, what I’ve learned about you so far… You’ve given me no reason to mistrust you. The only promise you’ve ever made to me was that you wouldn’t lie to me and I don’t believe you have.”
“I haven’t and I won’t,” he assured her.
Softly, she replied, “I don’t think you would.”
“Will you give me a chance to show you who I really am?”
“Yes. Will you accept who I really am and what I believe?” she asked him in return.
“I already have,” he softly replied with a gentle smile.
AFTER DROPPING CHARISSE OFF, Stefàn rode by Julian’s house. Although it was nearly dark outside, Julian was in his driveway washing his car.
When Stefàn turned off his bike’s engine and pulled off his helmet, he snickered as he called to Julian, “You’re the only man I know who waits until it’s dark outside to wash his car.”
“Hey, well, I can’t be like everybody else.”
“No doubt.” Stefàn laughed. He climbed off his bike and stepped over to his friend. The men touched fists.
“What’s up, man? Where you comin’ from? I called your house a little while ago,” Julian said.
“I just dropped Charisse off.”
“Charisse, huh?”