“Let the excuses and torment of Rosetta’s imperfections go, Bunny. Holding on to what Rosetta didn’t do or allow herself to become will only keep you from allowing God to heal the places within you that are holding you down. My suggestion is to give yourself permission to see what this man is about without expectations of him failing you.”
This is why Aunt Emmy is the person I often run to in the midst of my battles because she always knows just what to say. Even while pondering her words and the inkling of picking myself up, Zakai’s affirmations ring deep within my soul like a church bell. Maybe, just maybe, Aunt Emmy is on to something, and I’ll give Zakai a chance to prove his worth after all.
It’s beenyears since a woman had me strutting like I’m President Obama. But I’ll be damned if that’s not the case simply from multiple text exchanges and phone conversations with Caziya. From the day I met her, my attention has been laser-focused on finding out more about the woman behind the sad eyes and goofy man who didn’t deserve a minute in her presence. Caziya is like an onion, and with every conversation or message, I work to peel back the layers of who she is.
What has been most attractive about her is the fact that she hasn’t run for the hills at my situation. I have run into a few women who couldn’t handle my inability to drop everything and come running whenever they called. Sure, dropping dick is easy for me, but I’m more attracted to a woman whose outwardappearance shines brighter when I’m able to see their inward appearance.
“Hello. Are you still there, Zakai?”
My dick twitches at the low yet sultry tone of Caziya’s voice coming through the receiver and effectively snaps me out of my thoughts.
“I am. Sorry about that. What did I miss?”
This has been a lazy Saturday where I let Kiki talk me into playing with her dolls most of the morning. Thankfully, she tired herself out and is now taking a nap, allowing me a temporary reprieve.
“I thought we were doing twenty-one questions. Did you fall asleep on me?” Caziya giggles, and my heart leaps in response.
Damn. Even the sound of her laughter is noteworthy.
“Nah. Just thinking, but ladies first. What’s your first question?”
“What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?”
Oh, we’re jumping right in. Okay, let’s go!
A smile forms when Caziya asks her first question, and I ask a follow-up so I know how we’re going to handle this game going forward.
“Are we talking in general or in relationships?”
“I’ll let you decide which because I’m more curious about the answer overall.”
Tilting my head to the side, I nod subtly when a response enters my mind.
“I’d have to say the time I sent a single rose to the lady I was seeing over the course of twenty-four days. It was completely on a whim and something I have never done with anyone else. The idea came out of the blue, and I ran with it.”
“Oh wow. That’s different. What was the occasion?”
“Just because I wanted her to know I was thinking about her.”
“Why twenty-four days?”
My smile deepens as I recall that instance from years ago, which, despite the relationship ending, still fills me with joy.
“I wanted her to have two dozen but didn’t want to give them to her at one time. With every rose, I attached a note that let her know what I liked about her.”
“Aw. That’s sweet and something I have never experienced before. Okay. It’s your turn.”
No worries, Ziya. I got you from here.
“What’s your biggest pet peeve?”
“Hm, let’s see. Broken promises, being ignored, and being neglected. I don’t necessarily want to be smothered, but I do want to be remembered.”
“Duly noted. You’re up. What’s next?”
“What’s the most important thing you look for in a woman you’re interested in?”
Alright, I see Caziya is about to challenge me all over the place because, thus far, her questions haven’t followed any kind of pattern.
