The Date?

“What up, mama?”

I lifted my right eyebrow and twisted my lips. The Medic said, “What was that look for?”

I said, “Nothing, I shouldn’t be meeting you for anything.”

He took a sip of his Corona and said, “Why?”

I sat down and said, “… because you invited The Bar Manager to dinner with us.”

“Man, that girl invited herself. I was just being polite, you should have said, “No.”

I cut my eyes at him and shifted in my chair. “What’s this place known for? We don’t have these in Florida.”

“They’re known for steaks.” He handed me a menu and said, “Get what you want.”

“I’m not really hungry.”

“Well, take it to-go.”

I thumbed through the menu and cut my eyes at The Medic. I thought, “I know this one is going to be trouble.”

I put the menu and down and said, “What’s your story? An ex-wife, a crazy baby’s mama, you just broke up with your fiancée a month ago, a girlfriend, a girl who thinks she’s your girlfriend…”

He laughed and said, “You just jumped out the gate with it. No, Ms. Ebony I’m single. I date here and there just like you.”

“Who said I date?”

“You on a date right now aren’t you? Plus, you’re a pretty girl, so I know you get asked out a lot.”

I rolled my eyes and said, “Oh, this is a date?”

He laughed, “Don’t play dumb, you like me.”

“I like you?”

“Yeah, you like me.”

“I don’t even know you.”

“I know you were jealous when The Bar Manager was all in my face.”

“Jealous? Oh honey, anybody who’s interested in me would never be interested in her. We’re not even on the same level. I play for the NFL; she’s still playing high school football.”

He laughed and said, “Well, you still like me.”

…and in that moment I thought, “Not like, but very intrigued.”

I couldn’t make this ish up if I tried.