by Tamara Black
“I know. It's part of the reason I'm here trying to help out.”
“Well, on behalf of the Big D, I thank you.”
“It happened to me recently too,” he said suddenly.
“Hmm?” I asked, a little confused.
“I had a woman break my heart, try to take my money, and leave me.”
“Try to take your money?” I was more intrigued by the unassuming man by the moment.
“Yeah, she got some of it. I was able to figure out what she was about before it was too late.”
“Too late for what?”
“We were about to get married. Two days before the ceremony, I found out she was cheating on me and just wanted to marry me to get access to my money.”
“Have a lot of money, do you?” I laughed.
He chuckled along with me for a moment then switched the subject. “You want to come back in? I promise not to yell at you about the apples.”
“And I promise not to bruise them.”
I didn't know what it was exactly, but talking with Josh for just a few minutes had made me feel better. He gave off a really good energy. We made our way back into the building full of people. They were now in line and the food was being handed out.
Once we made it to the distribution tables, we found a place behind them and helped hand out a bag and a box to each family that passed through. At one point, a man with a full, white beard tried to go through the line a second time, which almost caused a riot.
Josh jumped into action and led him out the back while the rest of us tried to get the line moving again. While I knew we were in Detroit, I still couldn't believe the number of people who had shown up to make sure they get a good dinner on Thanksgiving.
After the crowd finally dispersed, the volunteers gathered in back. I listened as Melissa took charge and thanked everyone for their help. She was so strong and confident about herself. Josh stood next to me. We clapped together when she was done with her motivational speech.
“I have to get going, but here's my number,” he said as he held out a plain, white business card with his name, email and phone number.
I took it. “Thanks. I might do that. Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
With a smile, he left out the back door. I had wanted to see what kind of car he'd driven up in, but I couldn't follow him without looking a little weird. Melissa walked over and quickly captured my attention, and I forgot about Josh for a minute or two.
As soon as I left a few minutes later, he was back on my mind. By the time I got back to my apartment building, I had myself convinced that he was much too nice of a man for me to trouble with all my mental problems. Love was something I'd never be able to have completely.
TWO
The next day I didn't call him. Even after a full night of sleep, I couldn't bring myself to pick up the phone. Part of me wanted to talk to him, but I knew that as soon as he found out I was overly emotional sometimes he would want nothing to do with me. I was better off just breaking it off before we got too close with each other. At least that's what I told myself.
When my phone rang and I saw Melissa's smiling face, I almost didn't answer. I knew she was going to push me into doing something I just didn't feel like doing. We had made a pact back in college that no matter what happened in life we'd always accept calls from each other. She had always answered for me, even when it was two in the morning and I needed somebody to talk me back to reality.
“Hello, Melissa.”
“Hey, how are you doing? You kinda sneaked off after the giveaway yesterday.”
“Yeah, I was a little overwhelmed emotionally.”
“Well, this is a small group of people.” She laughed.
“What's so funny?”
“If I tell you, you're not going to come.”
“Tell me.”
“I'm calling this my pre-Thanksgiving singles dinner.”
I rolled my eyes even though she couldn't see my face. “You're right.”
“Aww, come on, DeAndra. I think you'll have a good time.”
“Okay, but if I come tonight you need to let me spend the rest of the holidays however I want.”
“I know you have problems, DeAndra. I'm just trying to help.”
“I know. And it means a lot to me. I'll come.”
“Great. It's tonight at my place.”
“You mean Mr. Thompson's mansion?”
“Well, I'm Mrs. Thompson now, so it's my place too.”
“What time should I show up?”
“Be there by five p.m.”
“I'll be there.”
“Promise me.”
“I promise.”
“Great. I gotta go. Talk to you later.”
The call disconnected, and I sat it on the coffee table in front of me. I wasn't happy about going, but if I could make it through one dinner, she would leave me alone and I could be miserable on my own until the New Year.
I was anxious all afternoon, so I decided to spend a little time to make sure I looked really nice. After graduating college and getting a job in a call center, I didn't really have a need to dress up anymore. My hair was a mess, but with a little finessing I would be able to get it looking good.
Around an hour before Melissa's dinner party, I was finally ready. I decided to drive over a little early and surprise her. One of the things she hated about me was that I never showed up anywhere on time. Well, that and the fact I had problems with depression.
When I pulled into the long driveway leading to a house that looked like it was ripped from a fairy tale, I sighed and tried to prepare myself to be social. Big Sean was singing Guap, which I found a bit ironic as I pulled up to the valet station that had been set up in front of the entrance.
The valet was going to be surprised when he heard the songs playing in my Toyota, but I didn't care. I looked good, and I wanted to convince Melissa I was fine so that I could hide away for a few weeks on my own. Like Robin Williams and many others, I joked around a lot to hide the fact I was hurting.
Once I was inside the house, someone approached to take my coat and scarf. I thanked the nameless woman then walked into the great room of the house where the party was happening. Melissa had lied about it being a small affair. I saw at least two dozen men and women throughout the room.
“Hey, you made it,” she said after walking up and grabbing my arm.
“You said it was a small dinner party.”
“This is small.” She smiled. “Is it my fault I know so many eligible single people?”
I rolled my eyes then smiled back at her. She was easy to fool most of the time, but she still meant a lot to me.
“Make sure you mingle, okay? I have to go do that myself then check on the dinner.”
“I'll be fine.”
“You're looking fine.”
She looked me up and down once completely then waved and walked away. I took a deep breath and looked around the room again, trying to find someone who appeared easy to talk to for a few minutes before I could excuse myself to have a cigarette. I didn't smoke, but I'd learned it was a great method to get away from a conversation.
Then I spotted Josh on the far side of the room. He was sitting on a couch with a beautiful white woman on each side of him. I frowned slightly then tried to recover. Just as I was about to look away and walk over to a shy woman standing off on her own as well, he looked up and saw me staring at him. His face lit up when he realized it was me.
I watched in amazement as he jumped off the couch and left both women looking baffled when he walked away without a word to either of them. He made his way straight toward me. I thought about running away and trying to hide somewhere in Melissa's huge house, but I stood, frozen with indecision. Then he reached me.
“Hey, good to see you, DeAndra. I didn't think you'd be here.”
“Yeah, I'm not really a party person, but Melissa insisted.”
“She's a great woman.”
“Yeah.”
We sta
red at each other in silence for an awkward moment.
“So, you're single?” I asked then instantly regretted it.
“I am. I told you about Sarah.”
“The woman who tried to marry you for your money.”
He nodded then artfully changed the subject again. “You look nice this evening.”
“Thanks. You too.”
His body was well proportioned. I found myself physically attracted to him, even though I'd never thought twice about a white guy before. Something about him drew me closer.
“Want to get a drink?” he asked.
“Yeah, I'd love one. I'm a little nervous.”
“Oh, you shouldn't be. Let's go to the bar.”
We made our way across the room. I couldn't help but notice the two women in small, red dresses glaring at me as we walked by them and to the bar.
“I'll take a Scotch on the rocks,” he said to the bartender. “And you?”
He looked at me, and I noticed his piercing blue eyes. They were almost magical.
“Glass of red wine, please.”
The bartender soon returned with our drinks. We both took a sip then looked at each other. I smiled nervously. He took me by the arm and led me around the bar and into a small side room that wasn't being used.
“It's a little quieter in here.”
“Thanks. Melissa told me it was going to be a small dinner party.”
“Well, this is small for her.”
“You know Melissa?”
“We have mutual friends. I know her husband.”
I nodded, intrigued by the news even though I didn't know what it meant exactly. “Cool.”
We both took another drink. Gradually, as the alcohol began to work its magic on our bodies, we opened up and began talking and joking with each other. By the time the dinner bell sounded and we made our way to the formal dining room, we were acting as if we'd been best friends since grade school and had known each other our whole lives.
Melissa didn't have assigned seats, surprisingly, so we sat next to each other. The food was okay, but we got lost in conversation with each other. The rest of the dinner party didn't matter to either of us. In fact, we left our seats before everyone else was done eating and made our way out back. Josh led me to a bench next to a lake. A reflection of the moon shined brightly in the water.
“It's beautiful here.”
“Yeah, Fred's done okay for himself.”
“And Melissa.”
“Yeah, her too. I don't think she's just after his money, though.”
“No, I wasn't saying that. It's just that it's her money now too.”
“It's good to see you. I was dreading this party tonight.”
“You too, huh?”
I smiled.
“Not at first, but when I saw you...”
“You're not seeing me at my best,” I interrupted, determined to sabotage myself.
“Are we ever at our best?”
He looked into my eyes. I got lost in the blue lakes at the center of his.
“Sometimes, I guess.”
I thought for sure he was going to lean forward and kiss me. The mood was perfect, but he pulled back ever so slightly.
“I have to get going.”
“You have a girlfriend or something?” I teased.
“No, I have some work to do.”
“The night before Thanksgiving?”
“Yeah, it's my life. I'll be spending tomorrow alone.”
“Me too. We should do something together.”
“Something anti-holidays.”
“Like a pizza and a movie.”
“Sounds fun,” he said. “What movie?”
“I'll pick one and you bring one. Sound fair?”
“It does. I look forward to it.”
He stood up as I continued sitting on the bench.
“Thanks for a nice evening,” I said.
“You too. Let me get your address.”
“Oh, yeah. You got your phone?”
“Yeah, go ahead and I'll type it in.”
I was hoping for a look at his homescreen, but it wasn't going to happen. You could tell a lot about a man by looking at their smart phone. After I gave him my address, he waved and left. I stayed behind and continued staring at the lake, wondering how cold it would have to get to freeze completely.
My thoughts quickly turned back to Josh and our anti-Thanksgiving night of fun together. I cursed myself, already starting to doubt that he would even show up let alone enjoy spending time with me. Instead of going back into the party, I crept around the house and had the valet get my car.
Melissa would be a little upset, but she would forgive me. I couldn't stand the thought of facing the other couple dozen people without Josh by my side. As I drove home, I returned to dreading my night alone with him. What the hell had I been thinking?
* * *
The next day, Josh called around noon to confirm that he was coming over and ask me what I wanted on my pizza. I told him mushrooms and bacon, which was close to his favorite, mushroom and sausage. He said he'd be over with the pizza and a movie a few hours later, as long as he could resist, he had joked. After I got off the phone with him, I rushed around my apartment and cleaned up.
Why hadn't I gone to his house? I wondered. I began to realize I didn't know a lot about him at all. He knew Melissa and her husband, but beyond that I didn't know a lot. And that scared me a little. I didn't open my heart and home to people very often. Had I made a mistake inviting him over? Or had he invited himself? Just before he was set to arrive, I thought about calling him to cancel.
Then the doorbell rang. I looked at the clock and realized I'd been sitting on the couch lost in thought for about half an hour. I had wanted to pick out a good movie before he came over, but I was out of time. I took a deep breath then stood up to answer the door. Before I opened it, I practiced a smile quickly. He knew I got depressed, but I didn't want to bring him down as soon as he saw me.
When the door opened and I saw him, I knew deep down I'd done the right thing by agreeing to have dinner with him on Thanksgiving night. My heart jumped and started beating faster as soon as I saw him. He had a bottle of wine and a bouquet of flowers. A DVD case was tucked under his arm. He smiled at me.
“You gonna let me in? It's getting cold out here.”
“Come in, come in.”
I stepped aside and he walked in. After shutting the door, I turned around. “You found it okay. Welcome to my humble abode.”
“The apartment building's not too bad,” he said as he took off his coat. “Considering we're in Detroit.”
“Right? Let me get that for you.”
I took his coat and hung it in the closet next to the front door.
“Your place looks cozy,” he said.
“It's okay. Did you forget the pizza?”
“Oh, no. It's out in the car. I couldn't carry it with the wine and flowers.”
He held both hands forward. I accepted the gifts with a smile.
“I'll be right back.”
As he took off to retrieve the pizza, I went into the kitchen to put the flowers in a vase and open the bottle of wine. I was ready to drink a glass or two and unwind. Even without a turkey and all the fixings, it was turning into one of the best Thanksgivings I'd had in a long while.
He walked in and shut the door behind him when he returned with the pizza. After he brought it in the kitchen, he set the large box down on the kitchen table then looked over at me.
“Want to get the plates while I pour the wine?”
“Yeah.” I turned to get two plates out of the cupboard. “What movie did you bring?”
“It's not well known, I'm afraid, but it has Robin Williams in it.”
“I've seen all his movies. I love him.”
“You've seen Being Human already?”
“What? No, I haven't heard of that one. When did it come out?”
“Back in ninety-four. I was just a teenager at the ti
me, but it quickly became one of my favorite movies of all time. Like I said, it's not that well known.”
“Sounds interesting. We can watch that one first if you want.”
“What's your movie?”
“Oh, I haven't picked it out yet, actually. I'll throw something in after we watch yours. Maybe I can open up your horizons a little too.”
I smiled at him. He poured us each a glass of wine as I got a couple slices of pieces onto a plate.
“Ready?” I asked.
He nodded, and we headed back into the living room with our food and drinks. I took the DVD and popped it in the machine then took a seat on the couch. We had a full cushion in between us. One of the first scenes was of a caveman taking a whiz outdoors.
“Aw, come on. What type of movie is this?” I asked, turning away. “I'm trying to eat.”
“It gets better, I promise. I forgot that scene was in there.”
While the scene hadn't shown any of Robin Williams' anatomy, luckily, seeing him dressed in fur and a full beard was intriguing in some way. As the movie progressed, I got drawn into the love story. We both stopped after a couple slices, but we kept refilling our glasses with wine. When we'd gone through his expensive bottle, I got one of my standbys out and we continued drinking as we watched Robin Williams play multiple characters all in love with the same woman.
By the time it was over, I'd run through every human emotion at least once or twice. I turned to Josh, who was sitting a few feet away on the couch. The movie had affected him emotionally as well. We stared at each other a moment, both not sure of what to say to the other.
“That was a great movie. Thanks,” I said, finally breaking the silence before it become too awkward.
“No problem. Can't wait to see what you pick.”
I stood up then stopped to catch my balance. All the wine had gone to my head, but I felt good. I slowly made my way over to my bookshelf with DVD cases lined up. Instead of giving it too much thought, I hoped for a Thanksgiving miracle and pulled one out at random. I had a pretty decent collection. I only bought the really good ones.
“And my pick is...” I glanced at the case. “Waiting to Exhale.”
“You know, I haven't seen that yet.”
He laughed, causing me to giggle as well. “It's not really a guy movie. I can pick again if you want.”