“Yes I mean No, wait give a second,”
He wiped his forehead with his hand. I thought it was cute that he was so nervous.
“Yes I’m asking you out if your answer is yes. If your answer is no then please forget this entire conversation,”
I hadn’t been asked out in so long. Now I was starting to get nervous. Should I say yes, but what about Darius? What would he think? I knew we weren’t a couple but he was the only man I was close too. I searched for a piece of paper and scribbled my number on it.
“Here’s my number just call me and I’ll let you know,”
He smiled and took the piece of paper. I was happy with my decision not to say yes right off the bat. This gave me time to make sure I was ready to date. I also didn’t want to look to eager. I watched him as he walked out of the bank. I hurried to find Vicki before it was too late for us to talk.
When I entered the break room Vicki was on her cell phone. I went to the fridge to grab my sandwich and chips. I looked up to see Vicki smiling and waving for me to come over. Before I could sit down, she was grilling me with questions.
“So what did Mr. Sexy have to say?”
“Girl he asked me out!”
“Stop lying!”
“I’m not lying! You act like it’s impossible for me to get a date or something,”
“I never said that, stop being so sensitive. I was just surprised because he has been coming to your counter for months. Why would he wait until now?”
“I don’t know,” I frowned.
“It’s probably nothing,” she smiled.
“So what did you say?”
“I told him I would let him know. What would Darius think?”
“Darius!” She laughed.
“What does he have to do with this? From what you told me he doesn’t look at you like that anyway. Besides none of us are getting any younger,”
I was almost thirty. I guess she had a point. It was time to let the dream of me and Darius being together go. He was my best friend and that’s all he would ever be. When Tyrone –aka- Mr. Sexy called my answer would be yes.
Sandy
I couldn’t believe I started classes to become an officer three days! My girls were taking me out to celebrate. They thought I needed one last bang before I officially became the law. I searched my closet and decided on my black sleeveless Chanel dress. It showed off my long legs perfectly. Dontae always said I had a body like Serena Williams. I was very athletic. The dress fit me well. Dontae brought it for me last year on my birthday. I was saving it for a special occasion and tonight was the night. It wasn’t easy passing the test to qualify to become an officer. But I did it! And I was proud of myself.
I walked over to my dresser and picked up a picture of me, my mom, and sister, I wiped a tear that rolled down my cheek. I was happy and still sad at the same time. I wondered how my mother would have felt about me becoming a cop .I was three when she was killed. She was coming home from work one night and was shot in a drive-by shooting in Jersey. Once I learned how she died I was determined to become a police officer. I wanted to make a difference in the world and help prevent another child from losing their mother. I kissed my picture and placed it back on the dresser. I barely knew my mother but I felt in my heart she was looking down on me giving me her stamp of approval. I looked out my window and saw my friend Shay pulling into my apartment complex. I threw my keys into my purse and headed to out the door. I really wanted to be celebrating with Dontae; he was the one who pushed me to follow my dreams. I knew he still loved me. But he was hurting and things just weren’t the same. I sighed and walked to the car. I loved him. But tonight was my night and I was going to enjoy myself with or without him.
I was surprised when we pulled into The Next Level’s parking lot. This was one of Dontae’s mother’s establishments. ‘Why would they bring me here?’ I thought. Before I could ask any questions my girl Tara leaned over the back seat and touched my shoulder.
“I know what you’re thinking. But Dontae is not going to here tonight. You can't stop living because you two broke up. Remember this use to be one of your favorite spots. Plus we purchased the tickets months ago,” she stated.
I had almost forgot tonight there would be some of the best Old School Rappers performing in the club I immediately got excited.
“Ya didn’t tell me ya brought tickets to the show!” I smiled.
“We got them months ago,” Shay confirmed.
I loved my friends they knew this was just what I needed. I had been so depressed about me and Dontae I had shut them out. They both gave me my space and I appreciated it. We had been friends since middle school. We always knew what the other needed. I checked myself out in my compact mirror. My skin was flawless. Not a pimple in sight. My father called me his black china doll. I had his dark complexion and my mother’s slanted eyes and straight dark hair. Being Chinese and black got me into countless fights growing up. Girls hated the fact my sister and I had good hair and that the boys in the neighborhood gave us so much attention. I was pretty but everyone around my way knew I didn’t play. I was well respected in the Burg and I earned it.
I followed Shay and Tara to the front entrance. We ignored angry comments from the large crowd who were pissed we didn’t have to wait in line. Shay tried to walk pass the bouncer. But he grabbed her. She angrily jerked her arm away.
“What do you think you’re doing? Don’t put your hands on me!” She yelled.
“I’m trying to do my job and you need to be searched,”
“I’m a regular and you’re not searching me,” she hissed.
I could see that the bouncer was getting frustrated with Shay’s attitude. I didn’t come out for this. I stepped in front of Shay and smiled.
“Is there a problem?” I asked.
“Yeah ya friend feels like she don’t gotta get searched and I ain’t losing my job for her or anyone else,”
I glanced over my shoulder. I could tell the crowd behind us was getting impatient. I needed to defuse the situation before it got ugly. People paid their money and they wanted to see the show. I took the bouncer by the hand and pulled him to the side. He was very attractive. His dreads were neatly done and pulled back into a ponytail. I could tell he wasn’t from here by his accent and his lineup was perfect. My guess was he was from Philly born and raised. It was something about those Philly boys that made them stand out.
I cleared my throat before I spoke I needed time to think of something quick to say. I also knew most people would put down their defenses with a compliment.
“You’re doing your job very well. My friend didn’t mean any harm. We’re all very close with the owner. We don’t normally have to get searched. I moved in closer and touched his forearm.
“I promise we’re not hiding anything in our purses. Do you think you could let us slide this once?” I smiled.
“I will let you and your friends through if I can get your numb— before he could finish his sentence. I saw someone pushing through the crowd in our direction. I recognized who it was before she got to us. It was the chick I beat down a few weeks ago at Dontae’s house.
“Lou what’s going on here? What are you doing talking to her?” She shouted.
Lou looked confused. He pulled her to the side but I could still hear their conversation.
“Girl what’s wrong with you? I’m just doing my job,”
“You don’t need to be all up in that bitch’s face to do your job,” she snarled.
I was trying my best to maintain my composure. But if she called me a bitch again, it was going to be a round two. Lou looked in my direction and smiled. He whispered something in the chic’s ear. She pushed him away.
“I don’t care! This is the bitch that attacked me and she ain’t coming up in here!” I took off my earrings and was about to pounce on her a second time. Before I could move Shay and Tara grabbed me.
“What the hell is going on?” Shay asked.
“I’ll explain lat
er just let me go!” I demanded.
“No you need to calm down! Your sister would kill us if we let anything happen to you,” Shay stated.
“Plus you’re better than this. Don’t let some trick ruin your night,”
Shay reached in her bag and handed me her lip gloss.
“Now use this and put your earrings back in, ain’t nothing jumping off tonight!” She said as she glared in the chic’s direction.
I watched as Dontae’s girl answered her cell phone and looked towards the door. I turned around to see what she was staring at. I wasn’t surprised when I saw Dontae and Darius come walking through door. Darius immediately walked over to us, while Dontae chose to see what was up with his so –called girl.
When Darius asked us what happened I didn’t answer. I was focused on Dontae and his girl’s conversation. That chic better not be lying on me. My thought was interrupted by the bouncer from earlier.
“Are you ok?” He asked.
“Yeah I’m fine,” I said still not taking my eyes off the couple.
He touched my shoulder.
“Do you mind if I talk to you alone for a second?” I really didn’t want to take my eyes off the Dontae. But I excused myself away from Darius and my girls. I followed him to the other end of the club. While I was walking I spotted Melissa at a table with some dude I didn’t know. Let me find out big sis gotta a new man and didn’t tell me! I smiled to myself. She was a good woman and she deserved to be happy. Good for her I thought. I wasn’t going to interrupt her evening. But I was definitely calling her as soon as I got home!
The bouncer took me by the hand and leaned his back on the wall. I was going to tell him he was bold for grabbing my hand. But it had been enough drama for one night.
“Listen I just wanted to apologize for the way my sister Lexi came off tonight?”
“She’s your sister?” I questioned.
“Don’t take this the wrong way. But ya don’t look nothing alike,”
He laughed.
“Yeah I know we get that a lot. We have the same dad but different mothers,”
My mind started racing. I didn’t trust Dontae’s girl at all. But I knew if I got close to her brother. I could find out what was really good with her. Even as a child I could read people. I knew that it would come in handy for what I had planned. I talked with him for about ten more minutes. I watched Darius walk Shay and Tara to our table. Lexi’s brother told me his name was Lou. We exchanged number and he told me he would call me later. He also apologized for his sister’s behavior one last time, before he walked me to my table.
Despite the evenings earlier events, I was having a good time. The show was off the chain. I still couldn’t believe the music I listened to as a teen was now considered old school. I glanced at my watch. I was getting tired and I knew I had to get up for church in the morning. I never missed a Sunday. My father would have a fit if he knew my sister and I were out partying the night before and didn’t make it to church. He believed if we could dance all night in the club, then we sure as hell could dance and praise the Lord the next day. I remember one Sunday I was so hung over I could barely stand. He opened my front door with his spare key and literally dragged me out of bed and through me in the shower with my clothes still on. That was my first and last time getting drunk. Especially knowing where I had to be in the morning.
I finished my margarita and told my girls I was ready to go. They wanted to dance before we left. I watched them head to the dance floor. I decided to check on Melissa before we left. When I approached her table she was laughing. It was nice to see her out with someone besides Darius. Don’t get me wrong he was my boy. But if he couldn’t see my sister was a good woman than that was his loss.
I cleared my throat to get their attention.
“Hey sis!” I smiled.
She looked surprised to see me.
“Hey Sandy! What are you doing here?” I slid in the seat next to her.
“I should be asking you the same thing. Since when do you go out on dates without letting me know?” I teased.
She rolled her eyes and threw her one hand up in my face.
“Last time I checked I was grown!” She giggled.
“I know that’s right!” I stated.
I turned my attention to my sister’s date.
“Hi I’m Sandy Melissa’s sister. I figured I should I introduce myself since my sister over here is being rude,” I joked.
Her date extended his hand.
“Hi I’m Tyrone,”
I shook his hand and smiled.
“So what do you do for a living?” I questioned.
Melissa kicked me under the table. I figured it was my queue to go. He was about to answer and my sister cut him off.
“Don’t answer that! My little sister was just leaving,”
I stood and fixed my dress.
“Ok I get the hint! It was nice meeting you Tyrone,”
I bent down and whispered in her ear.
“You better call me with details as soon as you get home!” I kissed her on the cheek and headed towards the bathroom.
The line was too long and I really had to go. I decided to sneak downstairs and use the bathroom in Ms. Karen’s office. I knew where she kept her spare key. Once I got the key I opened the door and turned on the lights. I had a tight feeling in my chest when I walked in the room. Everything looked the same. It just felt weird knowing I wasn’t going to hear her voice. Or that crazy laugh, that made you laugh right along with her. I raced to the bathroom. I wanted to hurry before someone came looking for me.
I closed the bathroom door behind me. I almost jumped out of my skin, turning to see Dontae sitting at his mother’s desk staring at me. I placed the key on the desk. Ready to explain why I was there. But he stood, walking towards me. He placed his finger to his lips telling me to hush. He was so close I could smell the liquor on his breath. I took a step back and waved my hand in front of my nose. I wasn’t use to him drinking. He must’ve noticed my reaction. Because he reached into his pocket and popped a peppermint into his mouth. “I just wanted to apologize for the way Lexi was acting earlier. I explained to her that she has no say on who gets in the club and who doesn’t. Tara and Shay told me they brought you out to celebrate. Congratulations Ms. Officer,” he smiled and took my hand.
I was grinning from ear to ear. I was happy to know he still cared.
“I’m not an officer yet,” I stated.
“I know but you will be. You have wanted to be a cop since we were kids. Most people talk a good game, but not you. You know what you want and you do what you gotta do to make things happen. Man that’s one of the reasons I la----- I couldn’t believe it! Was he about going to admit he still loved me? Before he could finish his sentence someone opened the office door! Dontae backed away from me when he heard her voice.
“Papi what the fuck is going on? Lexi barked.
Her voice was starting to give me headache. I gave her a look, like please say something to me. I dare you! She ignored me and started yelling at him in Spanish. I could tell he was getting annoyed. He hated to argue.
“Listen Ma ain’t nothing going on. I was apologizing to Sandy for how you were acting earlier,”
“How I was acting? Did you forget this is the same bitch that attacked me?”
Before Dontae could answer I reached around him and grabbed Lexi’s hair.
“I’m not going to be too many more of your bitches tonight!”
Dontae put his arms out and stood between us.
“Sandy chill let me handle this. Go find Shay and Tara please!”
I let go of her hair and fixed my clothes.
“Alright I’m out. You need to put a muzzle on your girl before she gets hurt,” I stated.
Dontae covered Lexi’s mouth before she said something that he and I both knew she would regret. I walked out of Ms. Karen’s office. I wasn’t paying attention and bumped into Lou on my way upstairs. He looked like he was in a hurry.
“Are you alright I asked?”
“Yeah I’m good. I just gotta check on my sister that’s all,”
I moved to the side so he could get by. I thought about checking on Dontae. But I quickly changed my mind. He got his self-involved with some girl he barely knew. Now he would have to deal with her and the drama that came along with it. I headed back upstairs to find my girls. I was tired and I had to get up in the morning.
When I made it back to our table it was empty. I looked on the dance floor to find my sister and friends all dancing the night away. I sat down and sighed. I wanted to leave. But I didn’t want to spoil everyone else’s fun. I scanned the room and noticed Darius sitting at a table alone. I walked over to him to make sure he was ok. He was staring at the dance floor. It looked like he was watching Melissa and her new friend Tyrone.
“Hey Brah you alright?” I asked.
He picked up his Corona and swallowed what was left of it.
“Yeah I’m good. Why you ask that?”
I took a seat next to him.
“No reason, I just saw you sitting alone and I wanted to make sure you were good that’s all,” I patted his shoulder.
“You know I love you like a brother,” I grinned.
“Yeah I know,” he said while pulling on his goatee.
“Who is that dude your sister is with tonight?” He questioned.
I glanced back at the dance floor.
“She didn’t introduce you?” I paused.
“All I know is his name is Tyrone. Why you asking?” I shook my head while waiting for his answer.
“I was just curious. You know that’s my girl. I’m just surprised she didn’t tell me she was seeing somebody,”
I looked Darius in the eyes. I could see he was hurt. I truly didn’t understand my sister and his relationship. Dontae and I stopped trying to figure it out years ago. I knew he wouldn’t admit how he felt about my sister and I didn’t have the patience to sit there and pry it out of him. I touched his hand and kissed him on the cheek.
“Brah just talk to her before she leaves,”
Choose Wisely Page 3