by Marc Avery
“Pretty much.” He shrugged like it was nothing. “Speaking of women, when’s the last time you went on a date?”
Embarrassment hit me like a sucker punch in the jaw, and I looked out the window. “I’ve never been on a date before.” My stomach bubbled with nervousness because I knew he would think I was a sucker.
“What? Next thing you’re going to tell me is you’re a virgin too.” He laughed. He stopped laughing when I didn’t say anything back to him.
“Hold up a minute.” His eyes got big. “You have desert dick? Say it isn’t so.”
“Ha-ha-ha. Very funny . . . I need to stop at the bank, and then we need to get something to eat.”
Paul wouldn’t stop laughing at me. “Say no more, bro.”
* * *
Paul parked along South Street after we left the bank. Then we got in the line at Ishkabibble’s and ordered cheesesteaks when it was our turn.
We ate inside the truck.
“Slow down, Anthony, before you choke on your food,” Paul said as he took a bite of his steak.
“Shut up, man. I’m hungry as hell,” I mumbled with a mouth full of food.
A thick and attractive woman walking across the street caught my eye. She had honey-roasted skin, curves for days, and large breasts that could barely be contained by her business suit top.
Paul caught me staring at her with a goofy smile on my face. “She’s cute. Bet you twenty dollars you don’t have the heart to speak to her, bro,” he taunted me.
My heart beat double time as the anxiety kicked in. Faking confidence, I took him up on the bet. I couldn’t look like a chump in front of him, no matter how shook I felt on the inside.
“I’ll take your twenty dollars,” I said cockily.
I hopped out of the truck and ran after her.
By the time I caught up with her, I had to catch my breath.
“So, what’s your name, miss?” I approached her from behind, and butterflies fluttered around my stomach.
She turned around and said, “None of your damn bus—”
When we made eye contact, she softened her approach.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude.”
I smiled. “No need to apologize. I know guys can be a little overaggressive.”
“Boy, you have no idea.” She smiled warmly. “My name is Essence.”
“Nice to meet you, Essence. I’m Anthony.”
I extended my hand to her, and in one fell swoop, the rest of my life changed.
“You’re a very beautiful woman, and I had to come over here,” I complimented her. I couldn’t ignore her curvy hips, thick thighs, and long hair.
“Thank you. You aren’t too bad your damn self,” she said and openly licked her lips.
Her passion fruit perfume turned me on.
“Walk with me for a minute.”
“Okay.”
I grabbed her hand and walked off of South Street.
“So, Anthony, tell me something about yourself.”
“I was the valedictorian in high school, and I’m also a screenwriter.”
“Okay. I see you, boy.”
“How about you? Tell me something about yourself.” I tossed the question back her way.
“I don’t like to brag, but I’m a regional manager for TD Bank, and I have a bachelor’s degree in finance.”
“All right, big time.”
She had brains and beauty. I’m glad Paul suggested we hang out or I would’ve never met her. Everything happened for a reason.
“Look, Essence, I’m going to be up front with you. You’re a beautiful woman, and I’d like to get to know you better.” I laid all my cards out on the table.
We stopped walking.
“Is that right?” she asked with a raised eyebrow and a hand on her hip.
“Yup.” Anxiety hit me hard again, and my heart almost beat out of my chest.
“How old are you, Anthony?” She squinted her eyes at me.
I blew out a nervous breath and prepared for the backlash. “Eighteen.”
“Boy, are you trying to get me arrested?” She smiled and shook her head.
I couldn’t help but smile too. “No. Not at all. How old are you?”
“I’m twenty-seven.”
“That’s not a problem. I like older women anyway.” I shrugged because our age difference meant nothing to me.
“You’re lucky you cute or else I would’ve bounced on you,” she said seriously.
I involuntarily licked my lips. “So, can you take my number?” I asked eagerly.
“Slow down there, cowboy.” She grabbed my cell phone from me. “You can take mine.” She programmed her number into my phone and walked back to her truck. “We’ll talk again soon.”
I rushed back to Paul’s truck smiling from ear to ear.
“Can I have my twenty dollars, please?” I asked with my hand out.
Paul passed me the twenty-dollar bill and said, “She was bad. I’m proud of you, bro.”
“Thanks, man. If you didn’t challenge me, I might not have gotten out of the truck.”
“That’s what friends are for,” he said, and we bumped fists.
Should I call her tonight? I thought on the ride home. Naaaah. She’ll think I’m desperate. But if I don’t call . . . maybe she’ll think I’m not interested. But I’ve got to play it cool ... or Paul won’t let me hear the end of it. But then again, I don’t have much experience, so I don’t want to rush. I don’t know what to do.
Sleep.
I decided I would sleep on the decision.
April
To avoid seeming too thirsty, I waited three weeks to call Essence. Around eight o’clock one night, I dialed her number and hung up before I could punch in the last digit. Finally, I took a deep breath and made the call. Her sexy voice floated through the receiver.
All she said was hello, and my heart was beating through my chest . . . and something else was trying to get out of my pants.
“Uh . . . hello. Can I speak to Essence, please?” I circled the living room, feeling nervous all of a sudden.
“This is she.”
“It’s Anthony. We met on South Street last month.”
“Did we now?”
“Yes. I don’t forget attractive women very often.”
“So I’m your type, then?”
I sat on the couch and tried to relax. “Yes, as a matter of fact, you’re definitely my type.”
“We have something in common, then.”
She didn’t hang up on me, so I knew I was in.
“So, what do you like to do for fun?” I asked.
“I like to hit the mall or catch a good movie. I’m a simple girl, really. What do you like to get into?”
“I mostly like to read, write, and watch sports. Regular guy stuff. Nothing major.”
“Most guys I know only read the back of the cereal box.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Where are you from?”
“I’m from West Baltimore, and I assume you’re from Philly.”
“Born and raised,” I said proudly.
Losing total track of time, we talked until the low battery signal sounded on my cell phone. It was close to 10:00 p.m. by now. She had me sprung after one conversation.
Crossing my fingers, I asked, “Can I take you out to dinner sometime?”
“How about Friday around seven?” she offered.
“Sounds good to me. Looking forward to it.”
“All right. We’ll talk again soon.”
When I got off the phone with Essence, I heard my mother yell my name.
I rushed upstairs and into her bedroom. She sat on the edge of the bed with her hands on her knees rocking back and forth.
“Grab my bag out of the closet. This baby is coming tonight,” she said in obvious pain.
“Do you want me to call Aunt Leslie?” I was concerned for her and excited at the same time. I always wanted a brother, and now he was on his way.
�
�No, baby. I called her already. She’ll be here soon to come and get us.”
* * *
We stormed inside the ER entrance of the hospital. The hospital’s staff helped my mother into a wheelchair. With urgent footsteps, they pushed her through the brightly lit halls to the maternity ward with Aunt Leslie following closely behind them. Aunt Leslie barked orders to the orderlies as they tried to do their jobs.
Personally, I couldn’t stomach childbirth since I had already been scarred for life from those videos they forced us to watch in health class, so I went to the lounge area. Already knowing I was limited in my choices, I skimmed through outdated magazines and looked at TV. Changing the channel wasn’t an option. I had to watch a made-for-television movie.
After sitting there for a while and playing games on my cell phone, I dozed off. My aunt’s text message woke me up hours later, and I suddenly became alert.
He’s here! Come on up here and see him! We are in room 5C!
With my curiosity at an all-time high, I hopped out of my seat, burst through the double doors of the lounge area, and sprinted to the elevator. Once inside the elevator, I frantically pressed the button for the fifth floor like I would get there faster. The ride felt like forever until the doors finally opened, and I bolted out of the elevator.
Careful not to make any noise, I tiptoed into the cold hospital room and became choked up at the sight of my little brother. Aunt Leslie handed him to me. I instantly felt protective of him.
“What’s his name?” I asked as I cradled him.
“His name is Michael.” She smiled and put her hair into a ponytail. “Sleepyhead over there did a great job, didn’t she?” She pointed to my mother.
I nodded and smiled. “Yes, she did.”
I cried tears of joy. My heart swelled with pride when I looked at my little brother and mother. It was my job to protect them.
With Senior gone, I had become the man of the house. They needed me, and I vowed to be there for them in any way I could.
I was all they had in this world, and they were all I had too.
April
Three days later, my mother brought Michael home after the hospital had discharged her. I circled the living room. Essence and I were going out to eat, and I had a bunch of nervous energy rolling around inside of me.
I was also torn because I knew my mother was dead tired and needed a break from the baby. I hopped off the couch as the front door opened, and she walked in. With my arms outstretched, I snatched Michael and his baby bag away from her.
“Hello to you too.” She shook her head and smiled.
“Sorry, Mom.” I kissed her on the cheek.
While I talked gibberish to Michael, he gave me the twitching smile all babies give when they’re that young. I put the bag down by the couch.
I cradled him as I walked in the kitchen with my mother. She got a bottle of water out of the refrigerator.
“I might stay over at Paul’s house tonight. I’ll call or text you to let you know if I do.”
“Hold on a minute. You need to stay here to watch your brother so I can get some damn rest,” she frowned.
“Michael’s my brother, not my son, Mom. I’m a teenager, growing into a man, and I need to get me some sooner or later. I’m hoping sooner.”
“Everything is about Anthony twenty-four-seven,” she said with her arms flailing. “You can be so damn selfish sometimes. Just like your father.”
“Wow. That’s where you decide to go?” My eyes narrowed to slits. “Fine. I’ll stay here until he falls asleep. Then I’m out.”
She shook her head. “You just don’t get it, do you?”
I scrunched up my face. “What exactly don’t I get?”
“I need you to be here in case he wakes up in the middle of the night.” She gave me a look like I should’ve known better.
I blew out a frustrated breath. “Fine. I’ll stay here with him.”
“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it,” she said and took the baby from me. He started crying.
“Wait a min—”
She cut me off. “I said it was okay.” Then she stormed past me and went upstairs.
I was ready to reschedule my date with Essence and stay home with Michael. However, my mother decided to be difficult.
Frustrated, I texted Paul, and he agreed to come and pick me up.
Thirty minutes later, he came around the corner blasting the song, “Beverly Hills” by Weezer. I hopped inside his truck, and we shook hands.
“You all ready for your big date with Essence?” he asked with a big grin.
“My mom just pissed me off. She wanted me to stay home and watch Michael.” I rubbed my forehead.
“Bro, get off that. Focus on getting some from Essence. Tonight’s your night. I can feel it.”
“I hear you, but I can’t believe she called me selfish. Like I haven’t been there when she needed me?”
“Let it go, Anthony.” He patted me on the shoulder. “Let it go.”
I tried my best to block my mother’s bullshit out of my mind. “You got any pointers for me?”
He nodded and smiled. “That’s more like it. Make sure you pull her chair out. Wherever you go, make sure you can afford their prices. Stick to the basics. Less is more.” He paused. “And do not let her pay the check or the tip because she’ll offer to do so. It’s a test that you better not fail.”
“Okay. I think I got this.” I nodded with blind confidence. On the outside, I played it cool. Inside, I began to panic. I didn’t want to look like a fool in front of her.
Paul pulled up to Essence’s row home in West Philadelphia, and then let the truck run.
“You’ve got one shot to make a good first impression on this girl. Do your boy proud.”
We fist-bumped with each other before he peeled off down the street. After taking a deep breath, I pressed her doorbell and stepped back. When she walked out of the house, my jaw dropped to the ground. Her brown hair framed her face, and her dress lay on her skin perfectly. Even in the dim light outside, her matching manicure and pedicure stood out. She impressed the hell out of me with her whole getup.
Her perfume became trapped inside of my clothes when we hugged. We walked to her truck. She hit the button on her key fob and unlocked the doors.
I rushed to open the driver-side door before I jumped in the passenger side of her truck.
“Thank you. You’re quite the gentleman.”
“You’re very welcome.”
Making sure to take Paul’s advice, I kept the restaurant real simple. We ended up at Applebee’s in Center City. I made sure I held the restaurant door open for Essence.
Before we were seated, I hurried to the bathroom and guzzled the miniature bottle of vodka I had with me. Once the warmness from the liquor spread throughout my body, I got myself straight in the mirror and walked back out to the main floor.
Back at the table, I stuffed the handkerchief into the collar of my shirt and kept moving my silverware around on the table.
Seeing this, Essence laughed at me.
“What’s so funny?” I asked defensively.
“You can put your napkin in your lap, boy. You don’t put it in your shirt.” She covered her mouth as she continued to laugh at me.
I shook my head and hoped I didn’t blow my opportunity with her. I was a ball of nervous energy.
Half an hour later, we finished what I felt like was a pretty crappy dinner. I knocked over the pitcher of water and almost choked on my food when I laughed while eating.
“I’m glad we got to chill together,” I said.
“Me too. Despite what happened earlier, we got the night back on track,” she said, acknowledging my clumsiness.
I couldn’t stop thinking about how thick her thighs were in her short dress. I thought Essence was bad when we first met, but under the bright lights in the restaurant, she was even badder. Long hair and big breasts did it for me, and she had both.
After we finished our co
nversation, I left a tip for our server, and we left the restaurant holding hands.
* * *
We pulled up to Paul’s apartment building, and she kept the engine running.
Feeling hot all of a sudden, I stared at the crack of her breasts and licked my lips. I wanted to squeeze her breasts so damn bad. “I hope we can go out to eat, again.” I swallowed hard.
“Oh, we definitely are. You were a good boy tonight.” She reminded me of a naughty schoolteacher when she said that.
With lust in the air, I closed my eyes and went in for a kiss. I missed her lips and kissed her chin. She grabbed my face to make sure our lips connected the next time.
My first kiss.
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” she said.
“Okay,” I said, feeling superhorny. She caressed my cheek before I got out of the truck. I almost floated into Paul’s apartment building I felt so good. My mother sent me a text message and immediately pissed me off . . . again.
Thanks for nothing, son.
I didn’t respond to her text message and put my phone back in my pocket.
Man, I wished I could’ve gone back to Essence’s place and had sex with her. It would’ve been the perfect cherry on top of my night. When she kissed me, I wanted to go further. Now, all I could do was imagine what sex would be like with her.
My phone buzzed again, and I hoped it wasn’t my mother bothering me with some more of her nonsense.
Essence sent me a text message.
When I saw the topless selfie she sent me, I needed a cold shower.
May
I went from my job to Essence’s house, picking up a bag of groceries on the way . . . all her favorites that she asked for and a few extras.
She took the grocery bags from me and went into the kitchen. I loved how her place was laid out with black leather furniture and smelled like clean linen air freshener. Her flat-screen TV hung on the wall, and everything had its own place.
She leaned against the breakfast nook in the kitchen, and I grabbed her by the waist. I kissed her exposed shoulder blade before she pulled away from me and laughed uncomfortably. Her awkward vibe threw me off.
This was the norm the last couple of weeks. I had been hinting around about sex, and she was having none of it. We would kiss, and then when I touched her or went for the French kiss, she rejected me.