Page 2 of Emani's Way
Kay and I both start squealing before Shelby joins in. Shelby has been a junior executive at a marketing firm for years. She’s been wanting to head the Fall Ball to prove she can be promoted to a senior executive.
“Shelby, that’s awesome! Why didn’t you tell us?” Kayla hugs Shelby and rocks her from side to side.
“I just did, silly. Besides, we’ll have plenty of time to celebrate me. This month is about you because… go Kay-la it’s yo birthday!” Shelby sings, and I join in.
“Guys, my birthday isn’t the entire month.”
“Biiiih, please! You know we celebrate the entire month,” Shelby dismisses, and I nod.
We always do birthdays to the fullest, and that will never change.
“Oh, I forgot to tell y’all.” I wait for the girls to turn their attention my way. “I have a date!” I wiggle my eyebrows up and down.
“That’s great, Mani. Who with? Is it the cute Math teacher or the sexy guy from the gym?” Shelby lights up.
“Uhh, neither. I told you I am not interested in Mr. Corey, and I haven’t even talked to the guy from the gym. I just said he was cute. Anyways, my date is with Darrius Calder.”
“The goody-two-shoes church accountant. Nah, Emani. I veto this date. Don’t do it sis. Something ain’t right about that guy.” Shelby shakes her head with a scowl.
I roll my eyes, but inside, I agree. Something has always been a littleoffwith Darrius, but my parents love him, so I push the thought aside.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Shell, Darrius is great. I can’t wait to go on a date with him.” I muster up the little white lie so my friends won’t see I’m only doing this for my parents. Again.
“Uhhuh. Like I said, you need to lighten up. Have a fling with somebody your parents didn’t choose for you. Have some fun for once, Emani!”
“Come on, Shell. Lay off. Darrius sounds like a great guy, Emani. I hope you guys have fun,” Kayla says, bumping my shoulder with hers.
I paste on a smile, “I know I will.”
But deep down, I’m second guessing myself and thinking Shelby might be right.
***
“I’m glad you asked me out, Darrius.” I smile at my handsome date, who’s stoically sitting across from me.
Darrius Calder has a light caramel brown complexion, a clean-shaven face, and a slight middle gap in his otherwise perfect smile. The trendy haircut of low fade on the sides and curls on the top compliments his face. D.C., as everyone calls him but me, definitely turns heads, especially tonight in his fitted slacks and button-up that stretches across his chest just right.
“I’m glad you said yes, finally.” Darrius. smiles at me and grabs my hand from across the table.
He is my parent’s dream guy for me.
I don’t know much about Darrius except that he is originally from Louisiana from some high society family. Rumor has it that his parents were pastors of some mega-church there, but they lost it all. I still haven’t heard the story of how though. No matter how mysterious his background is, he’s still important to my parents. Darrius has been working as the accountant for my father’s church for a few months now. I haven’t really questioned who he is because obviously my parents trust him enough for him to be over the finances of the church, which isn’t a small thing. My parents head one of the biggest Baptist churches in North Texas, and it’s a lot of money involved.
And although Darrius just started working at the church, he’s been pretty persistent in asking me out. I wasn’t really sure about him, but my mother was adamant that I accept his invitation to dinner. And being the parent pleaser that I am, I plastered a smile on my face and forced excitement into my voice as I said yes. Although he’s good looking and nice, something doesn’t feel rightabout him. But I push down my apprehension and focus on what’s good for me. A relationship with Darrius is what will make my mother happy, so I will do my best to make that happen.
“A girl can’t be too forward these days,” I finally answer as I bat my lashes.
“I like that about you. Women these days don’t let men lead. They want to control everything and be the boss. It’s a man’s job to be the head of the family,” Darrius spits out the words in a robotic tone like he’s reading from an antiquated script.
I’ve been taught the same thing, and it’s been drilled into me by my parents, well mostly by my mother, that a woman is to follow her husband, but it still takes everything in me not to roll my eyes. But I have to remember that if I want a godly man who my parents approve of, then I already know this is how most of those types of men will think.
“So, how’s work going? My Mama said you were really busy, and that’s why I haven’t seen you around,” I ask after uncomfortably shifting in my seat.
From our previous conversations, we really don’t have that much in common, which is why I initially turned him down. But everyone can talk about their job, so hopefully, that will ignite some liveliness into this date even if the topic is accounting.
“Don’t worry your pretty head about all that. You won’t ever have to worry about finances when you’re with me…”
“Oh, no. Sorry, I didn’t mean anything like that. I was just asking because I hadn’t seen you. I would never ask about your money,” I rush to correct his assumption.