Keelan was seated on the floor next to Que’s bed, rubbing his coat. I turned to look at him, and his eyes were already on me.
“He’s nice.”
“Yeah, he is, but do you like him?”
“Why?”
“Because he likes you.”
“How do you know?”
“I can tell by the way he looks at you.”
“Boy, you’re ten years old?—”
“Almost eleven.”
“Almost doesn’t count. You’re ten years old. What do you know about how he looks at me?”
“His eyes get all sparkly, and he smiles really big. That means he likes you.”
Keelan was too much for me and way too observant for his age. I was nothing like him as a child.
“Auntie Mimi should be here any minute. Go and make sure you have everything in your bag, take Que out back to use the bathroom, then put him in his cage.”
“Okay, Mom.”
He got up and disappeared into his room. I finished admiring myself in the mirror, taking a few selfies to send to my mother and sister, and possibly post to social media.
I hadn’t been on a single date since I left my ex over two years ago, and most would say it was about time. Yet, I refused to think of this as anything more than two new friends having dinner. Anything more was too much for my brain and heart to process.
Naomi and Graham arrived at the same time. When my sister finished hyping me up about how good I looked, she left with Keelan. Before she backed out of the driveway, she sent me a text that made me laugh out loud.
Nay:
If he offers you a seat on his face, you’d better take it!
“What’s so funny?” Graham asked.
“Nothing. Are you ready?”
“You’re breathtakingly beautiful.”
“Thank you, and you look very handsome, especially your braids.”
“Thank you. This nice lady who lives across the street from me hooked me up a few days ago.”
“She did a great job.”
We shared a laugh. The night after we had dinner at his house, he came over with all his hair products, pleading for me to do his hair. Lucky for him, I wasn’t busy.
“I know I only live across the street, but I parked in front.”
I giggled. “That wasn’t necessary, but nice. Are you ready?”
Sittingacross from Naryah and studying her beautiful face may very well have been the highlight of my forty-two years on earth. I enjoyed the view so much that blinking annoyed me.
“Graham. Hello, Graham.”
