"Chi-Town"

"Yo my man!  My man!"  he yelled over Kanye's "All of the Lights."

"Good luck!  I've been standing here for fifteen minutes."

"I hope you're going to get a good drink after all that."

"A cosmopolitan."

"Aha!  A "Sex and the City" fan!"

"No I'm not.  That last movie was horrible."

"I'm not talking abou the movies.  Tell me you don't watch the show re-runs every chance you get?"

"Of course I do.  Obviously you do too."

The bartender comes over and points at him.

"Guilty.  Patron and pineapple juice and a cosmo for the lady."

"Thank you." she said...obviously flirting.

He looked good and he knew it.  Fresh tailored clothes.  Big name shoes.  Nice bracelet.

"I like your shirt." she said.

"Thank you.  I like your dress."

He flirted.

The drinks came and he paid and handed her drink to her.

"Wait...here's a napkin."

"Thank you.  You're so sweet."

"Are you here with your girls?"

"No.  I'm here alone for now.  My girl is supposed to be meeting me but she can be flaky.  You?"

"I'm rolling solo tonight.  My boys can be a nuisance sometimes."

Jay Z's "On to the Next One" comes on.  She throws her arm in the air. 

"That's my song!"

"Come on...let's dance then!"

And they head to the dance floor and get their dance on.

He sticks next to her for the next two hours.  They talk, they dance, they bond. 

"I feel like I know you.  LIke...the reason I'm here is to meet you."

"I feel the same way.  It's just...weird huh?"  she said.   Smiling.  Hopeful.

"You wanna get out of here and get something to eat?"

"Sure."

DC Coast was still open and it was obvious he was well known there.  He was greeted by name.  He introduced her to everyone he met and she smiled.

She smiled.

She smiled.

The night was wonderful.  Amazing even.  He was such a gentleman.

He followed her home to make sure she got there safe.  They talked on the phone the entire drive.  She parked her car and walked over to him.

"Thank you for making sure I got home safe."

"No problem.  Now it's your turn."

"My turn?"

"Yeah...you need to follow me home now and make sure I get there safe."

"You got jokes."

"Yeah...I do.  Just messing with you.  I'm just so tired but I had a really good time.  Call me tomorrow.  If I answer...I made it safe."

He laughs. 

She laughs.

"How far away do you live?"

"About 40 minutes in PG County."

"Wow."

"I know.   I only come out in the city a few times a year because of the drive back."

"Well...you can sleep on my sofa if you'd like and get up and go in the morning."

"I couldn't do that."

"Yes...you could.  Come on.  Park."

So he parked and went in.  She made up the sofa and went to bed. 

The next morning she cooked a big breakfast and they enjoyed each others company.

"So...what do you have planned for today?" he asked.

"I'm going to this outdoor jazz fest thingy with my friends."

"Sounds like fun."

"Would you like to join us?"

"Sure.  Just let me go home and shower, shit and shave and I'll meet you here at 1:00.  Cool?"

"Cool."

He stood up to leave.

"I really enjoyed myself.  I enjoyed being with you."

"So did I."

And he left...headed back to his place to change.

He pulled into the driveway and parked.  Walked into the house.

"Sup Craig."

"What's up my man?"

"Nothing.  Chilling. Waiting on Jessica to get home so we can head out to this barbeque."

"Cool. I'm just picking up the rest of my things."

"Alright.  Is this the last of them?"

"Yeah...you won't see me anymore...don't worry."

"Craig...it's not like that man.  Me and Jessie...we just need our own space.  You know how it is."

"Man I'm not tripping.  I understand."

"So...how's your new place?"

"Nice.  I'll have to have you over soon.  Watch a game or something."

"Of course.  Say...did you find a job yet?"

"I had a second interview with that IT company that's looking real promising."

"Excellent.  We're praying for you.  Two years is a long time to be out of work."

"Yeah...never thought it would take this long."

And he showered, shitted and shaved and then put the last of his things in his car.  His couch surfing days at his best friend's house were over.  The fiance had moved in.

And he drove over and picked her up.  Wined her and dined her.  Made nice with her friends. 

Late into the night.

Late enough for her to let him stay another night because as of two days ago...

...he was homeless.

He figured he'd stay with her until he couldn't any longer.

She didn't know.

She was already smitten.

- See more at: http://creoleindc.typepad.com/rantings_of_a_creole_prin/author_monica_mingo/#sthash.0f0DQpY4.dpuf