“She caught me by surprise, I must say ‘Cause I never have seen such a pretty face With such a warm and beautiful smile It wasn’t hard for me to notice her style I was fascinated surely She took my heart and held it for me I wouldn’t let her get away Not until she heard me say...
T’eo jumped off the stage as he continued to sing, He touched my hand, put my hand on his chest, and then he put my hand in his hand as the song continued. He said, “Breana, I have a question for you.” He then sang the chorus part) [Chorus]
Can I take you out tonight? To a movie, to the park I’ll have you home, before it’s dark So let me know Can I take you out tonight?
My eyes teared up, T’eo is such a sweet guy. He put his hands on my hips and pulled me closer. He looked me in the eyes and he began to sing the second verse. Don’t care if I get rejected At least then I won’t regret Regret the fact I missed the chance for romance, at least I’ll walk away knowing, I tried my best and I’m going I’m going on with my day ‘Cause at least she heard me say...
As the song continued to play, he jumped on stage, lowered the volume and said, “Breana, I have a question for you.” I smiled and put my hand over my mouth as I laughed. He smiled and said, “I think that is so cute when you put your hand over your mouth when you laugh. You are too precious, Breana. Well… Breana Anderson, I have so much love for you. I know we’ve been out as (he put up the quotation marks with his fingers) “friends”. I would like to know; can I take you out tonight? To the movies, to the park, wherever you want to go, and we can do whatever you want to do. As long as I am in your presence, (he was smiling from ear to ear) my world is perfect!”
I put my index finger on my bottom lip and said, “Hmmm, let me think about it.”
T’eo smiled and started to sing a Capella,
“Don’t care if I get rejected At least then I won’t regret Regret the fact I missed the chance for romance, at least I’ll walk away knowing, I tried my best and I’m going I’m going on with my day ‘Cause at least Bree heard me say...”
I busted out laughing and said, “Boy you are too much, how can I say no?” T’eo smiled and said, “So, Breana the Brave, is that a yes? Are we finally going out on a real date?” I walked up to him as I smiled and said, “Hmmm, it’s something like that.”
A guy walked up with black-blue jeans on, a white t-shirt, a baseball cap on and asked T’eo for the mic. He said, “These lovebirds are going to fly away tonight and produce butterflies.” He pulled out a sheet of paper and said, “I would like to share my poem. Lovebirds fly away. Enter her cocoon and produce butterflies.” He cleared his throat and said, “That’s all I have for now.”
Everyone was looking like, Ohhh, Okaaay! That was odd and strange on so many levels. T’eo walked on stage and said, “Everyone, give this man a round of applause!” He looked at the guy and said, “When you finish the poem, I’m sure it will have meaning that only people with a wide imagination will understand.” I looked at T’eo because he always has a huge heart for everyone.
I called my daddy and asked him would it be okay if T’eo could bring me home tonight after a movie. He said that would be fine.
Leeann pulled me to the side and said, “Girl, you should have seen Brian’s face. I believe he and his girlfriend got into an argument. She hit his arm hard a couple of times because girl, he was looking at you. He knows he fucked up.” I said, “Girl, I forgot he was here.” I got off the subject and said, “T’eo is such a good guy. I am so scared. How about he turns out to be like Brian?” Leeann replied, “How about he doesn’t.” I looked at T’eo from a distance and said, “He is too good to be true. Maybe he’s hiding the real him. Maybe his true colors going to come out sooner or later. Maybe…” Leeann cut me off, “Bree, stop with all the maybe’s, stop trying to find something wrong. He is not Brian the asshole. Enjoy the moment and make the best of it.” I looked at Leeann, gave her a hug and said, “You know what? You are right. I am going to enjoy the present and make the best of it. Thanks, girl.”
I clocked out. I was about to walk over to T’eo but I paused because Brian was talking to him. I walked up to T’eo and said, “Can you take me home tonight? He smiled and said, “Hmmm, let me think about it.” I laughed and said, “You silly.” He laughed. I put wrapped my arm around his and asked, “Are you ready?” As T’eo was about to answer, Brian said, “Bree, you are not going to introduce us?” I looked at Brian and said, “I figured you two formally introduced yourselves since you all are talking.” T’eo said, “Well… he came up to me asking me how do I know you, and then you walked over. Since his name is Brian, I just put two and two together. He’s your ex. Right?” With an emphasis on the ‘ex’, I said, “Exactly. Ex. Such as, there’s nothing to talk about, he’s the past and we are going to leave it there. I can only say thanks for the experience, our time has expired, now please exit my life.” I looked at T’eo and asked, “Are you ready?” He looked at me, “Yep, if you are, I am.”
As we were walking towards the door, Brian yelled my name and said, “Bree, can we talk? Bree! Bree!” I told T’eo to not look back as we walked out the door.
T’eo opened the car door for me and as he cranked the car, he looked concerned and said, “Breana, are you okay?” I looked at T’eo, smiled and said, “I am, thanks for asking. I am better than okay, I am filled with happiness and joy all because of you.” I looked down as I played with my fingers, and then I looked up and said, “Thank you T’eo.” He kissed my forehead and said, “You’re welcome, Bree.”
“Where do you want to go?” T’eo asked. I said, “It’s chilly, but let’s go to the park.” I called my daddy to ask him if that was it okay if T’eo and I went to the park instead of the movies. He was fine with that. As we walked in the park, the air was crisp and the breeze was a breath of fresh air. We sat on the swings as we enjoyed the city lights, with the stars and the full moon shining down on us. I laid my head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around me to keep me warm. We didn’t talk, we just enjoyed each other’s silence as the leaves on the trees played us a tune as they moved from side to side.
We only stayed at the park for about an hour because the temperature was dropping. We walked hand in hand back to the car. When he dropped me off at home, he walked me to the front door. He said, “Breana the Brave.” I smiled. As it got colder the wind began to blow. He gently pushed my hair out of my face and said, “You are cold. Wait.” He ran to his car and got his coat and put it over me. He said, “Breana, I enjoyed today. To be honest, it was one of the best days of my life. Thank you for your time.” All of a sudden, I became shy. My hair blew back in my face, I pulled it behind my ears as I looked down for a second, then blushed as I looked T’eo in the eyes and said, “You’re more than welcome. I really enjoyed myself too. Thank you for your grand invitation, the way you asked me out, that was very different and I loved it. Thank you for your time as well.” I brushed my hair back again, and said, “Thank you for being the bigger person in the café.” T’eo smiled and said, “Bree, he’s irrelevant, but you’re welcome.”
T’eo came closer and said, “Bree, I always wanted to know what your lips taste like.” My heart started to beat faster. I had butterflies in my stomach. I kept saying to myself, Bree, get it together. This is T’eo. I took stepped closer and said, “T’eo, I’m scared.” He said, “Of what? Love? Being treated with respect? Being treated like a lady? What are you scared of?” I stepped back, “No, I am not scared of love or being treated right. I am scared of getting my heart broken.” I took another step back and said, “This cannot be real. Is this real? Was tonight real or am I dreaming?” T’eo stepped towards me and said, “Breana Anderson, your eyes are not playing tricks on you. This is real.” I closed my eyes, his lips touched mine, and we kissed. He kissed my lips so softly, I had never been kissed like that. He brushed my hair back as he gently touched the back of my head. He looked me in the eyes and said, “Most definitely, this is real.” He kissed me softly again. As we
came up for air, he said, “Wow…That’s how your lips taste! They are so soft and perfect.” I smiled, “Your lips aren’t too bad.” I smiled and kissed him again and said, “Your lips are perfect too.”
As I pulled my keys out of my purse T’eo said, “Breana the Brave, you are changing my life for the better—and I am loving it!” I smiled, kissed him again, opened the door and said, “I’m loving it too. Thank you for a beautiful evening, Goodnight T’eo.” He blew me a kiss and said, “Goodnight, Breana the Brave.”
I watched him as he got in his car. I waved as he pulled out of the driveway. I closed the door and laid back against it, as my breath was taken away. I smiled and said, “Goodness, he is some type of man.” My daddy said, “What?” I jumped and said, “Daddy, you scared me!” He smiled, “My apologies, baby girl. I see you had a good night.” I was blushing as I said, “It was perfect.” I told him about what happened and how T’eo asked me out, about Brian being there and about T’eo and my first date. My daddy was smiling as he said, “I love to see you happy. See, I told you there are good men out there like me, and better.” I laid my head on his arm and said, “I have never been treated with so much respect. It was natural, too. I’m scared, Daddy because this is too good to be true.”
He kissed my cheek and said, “You sound like your mother. She said the same thing. She thought I was too good to be true. One thing’s for sure, baby, when a man loves a woman, he will make sure he to do anything to make her happy, and nothing less. I love your mother and I knew I never ever wanted to lose her. I try my best to make her happy in any and every way possible. I want my girls to know there are good men out there, that is why I lead by example. I want my son to see how he should talk and treat a woman. Again, that is why I lead by example.” I sat up as I looked at him and said, “Daddy, you are doing a phenomenal job! Because of you, I know how I should be treated as a young lady and as I grow into a woman. Thank you, Daddy. I am blessed to have a Daddy like you!” I hugged him tightly, kissed him on the cheek and said, “I love you, Daddy, good night!”
After I got out of the shower, I read a text from T’eo telling me he made it home. I called him and we talked all night long.
16
Chapter sixteen
Every single day T’eo and I have enjoyed each other’s
company over the Christmas break. The other day, he came over to have breakfast with me and my family. After breakfast, he helped my brother Luke and Daddy with the yard. They bonded over chopping and gathering some wood for the cold weather ahead. I was surprised that he and my mother have been getting along so well, to the point that my mother helped T’eo understand some concepts he didn’t understand in some of his classes. My bother and T’eo have been hanging out a lot as well. A week ago, they went to get their hair cut and went out to brunch. Even Summer has gravitated to T’eo! A couple of days ago he came by to spend time with me but ended up playing soccer with Summer. My family and I are really enjoying his presence.
***
Bright and early Summer is running through the house screaming, “It’s Christmas!” She jumped on my bed yelling with excitement, “Get up Bree! Get up!” I rolled over and said, “Summer, give me five more minutes.” Summer started jumping on my bed and said, “No! It’s Christmas! Let’s open our gifts!” I looked at the clock. It was six thirteen in the morning. As I rubbed my eyes I said, “Goodness, Summer it’s still dark outside.” My brother was leaning on my door, laughing. I sat up on my bed and said, “Shut up, Luke.” Luke ran, jumped on my bed, and started to tickle me. I was laughing so hysterically. Summer started to tickle me too as I tried to catch my breath. I said, “Okay. Okay. I’m getting up.” My parents stood by the door, smiling and laughing. Daddy said, “Vanessa, look at our beautiful children.”
We all had our pajamas on as we walked downstairs to open our gifts. Since Summer is the youngest, she opened her presents first. She got everything she wanted; a new bike, skates, soccer gear, clothes, and shoes. She was happy, and thanked Mother and Daddy. Daddy said, “Summer, you forgot to open a gift.” Summer said, “No I didn’t, Daddy, I opened all of them.” My daddy pulled out a box and read it, “To Summer, from Mommy and Daddy with love!” Summer said, “Well… What is it?” My mother laughed and said, “Well… Open it.” Summer took the wrapping paper off and it was a large plain brown box. She looked and said, “Hmmm, the box is naked.” We laughed and said, “Naked?” She said, “Yes, normally a box has a picture or something on it.” She ripped the tape off the box and opened it. She pulled a smaller box out of the big box and started to scream at the top of her lungs as she said, “No way! Oh, my gosh! The microscope set!” She ran in place for a minute and took off running around the house. My daddy had tears in his eyes as he said, “I love to see my family happy!” My mother caught sight of his tears and said, “Me too, honey, me too.” Summer ran back into the family room as she ran and dove into my parents’ arms and gave them a huge hug. She jumped for joy with gratitude, saying over and over again, “Thank you so much, Mommy and Daddy!”
My brother and I got some clothes and shoes. We both got a $200 Visa gift card and $500 BP gift card for gas. We thanked our parents as well because Lord knows, I needed the BP gas card! My mother got Daddy some tools for his yard supplies collection. She also got him a new lawn mower and a new tool belt. He was so happy! He got my mother a diamond pink rose necklace and bracelet set, some earrings, and a $600 gift certificate to her favorite salon and a $200 gift certificate to her favorite place to get her manicure and pedicure. My mother hugged and kissed him. One thing’s for sure, my mother faithfully gets her hair done every two weeks and once a month she gets her toes and nails done.
My parents opened my gift. It was a 120-minute full body couples’ massage, a 30-minute foot massage and a 30-minute sauna to their favorite spa. They were very happy! My daddy looked at my gift, smiled, and said, “Uh oh, baby you already know what time it is!” My mother started blushing as if she was a schoolgirl. I smiled because I always think my mother and daddy are so cute. My brother Luke said, “Really, Pops? Really? Come on, not in front of the kids!” Summer said, “What? What time is it, Daddy?” He replied, “7:34 a.m.” We all started laughing. My parents gave me a hug and said, “Thank you.” My brother gave my parents a jewelry cleaner set. Luke said, “Since you’re always going to get your wedding bands and jewelry cleaned, now you can save time and clean it at home.” My mother said, “Luke Senior, that will most definitely save us a lot of time.” My daddy agreed and said, “Yeah, it is because I do not like walking around without my ring on in public when it’s being cleaned. I want the world to know I am taken!” My mother smiled from ear to ear. My mother and daddy are so adorable.
***
Later that evening T’eo and his mother came by for dinner. She is such a pretty lady. She looked as though she was a native Indian with high cheekbones and straight black silky hair that touched her bottom. Her teeth were pearly white and her smile was so beautiful! As T’eo’s mother and my parents talked while preparing dinner, T’eo and I exchanged gifts. He looked at me as he said, “This is for the most beautiful girl in the world.” I smiled and said, “Thank you.” I opened the box and it was a diamond heart necklace with a matching promise ring. I touched my heart and said, “Oh my, T’eo, this is beyond beautiful! Thank you!” T’eo looked me in the eyes and said, “With this ring, Breana Anderson, I promise not to break your heart. I promise to listen to your concerns and I will do my best to make you happy. I always want to fill your heart with joy, and your mind with peace, because I love you so much. Believe it or not, when I first saw you on campus you didn’t know I existed, but when I saw you I said to myself, Wow! She’s gorgeous! One day, she will be my lady. Bree, would you do me the honor of being my lady? I promise, Bree, I will not fail you.” I looked T’eo in the eyes as well and said, “Yes, I would be more than happy to be your lady. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He kissed me and said, “Bree, I love you with all my
being.”
I gave T’eo my gifts. He opened the first one. It was a letter. I told him to read it later. He opened the box and it was an outfit that he wanted. Weeks ago, we went to the mall and he saw this outfit that he really wanted, but he couldn’t afford it because he used his money to help his mother with her bills and to buy a plane ticket for her to come see him. I saw in his eyes how badly he wanted the outfit. So I went back to get it. It was a pair of Old Navy dark rinse slim jeans, with a cute light blue long-sleeve shirt and a short sleeve dark blue polo shirt, and a leather belt. I got him a pink polo shirt too because I love to see him in pink. I also got him a gift card to Foot Locker so he could buy some shoes to go with his outfit. T’eo said, “Breana, no. I cannot take all of this.” I looked at him, “Yes, you can. You worked so hard in school. You’re always helping your mother out, and still, somehow, you keep your head above water. I wanted to do this for you. You deserve it.” He teared up and said, “Wow… I never had anyone who would go out of their way like this for me.” I smiled. I had tears in my eyes too. He said, “You really paid attention to what I was looking at in the store. Wow... that means a lot to me.” He looked at the size and said with excitement, “Wait! You got the sizes right too!” I laughed and said, “I sure did.” He hugged me and we kissed.
***
Time passed and we all sat at the table and ate Christmas dinner. It was lovely. My mother and Rosa, T’eo’s mother, laughed and had a good conversation. Daddy, Luke, and T’eo were having a good conversation too. I looked at Summer and she was getting down to the nitty-gritty, eating. It was so wonderful to see everyone getting along. It brought so much love and joy into my heart.
Unapologetic for My Flaws and All Page 19