Page 8

GERMAYNE

T hings have been going well after the nearly failed first date with Chaniya, and my feelings have been moving at hyper speed.

Chaniya’s witty personality is a flex after dealing with Sherita’s hyperaggressive urge to force me into a lifelong commitment.

Enjoying and reciprocating Chaniya’s sense of humor has been a breath of fresh air.

Seeing the deer-in-headlights expression on her face while I held up the minnow will forever be one of my most memorable first dates.

Then to see her running like she was auditioning to be a track team member had me in stitches.

I didn’t think she could move so fast. I guess it goes to show why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.

Chaniya proved that her thick thighs were more than capable of saving her life.

Seeing her scraped and bleeding palms had me ready to kick my own ass for causing her pain.

It also was a sign that I had to correct the date so I would be given another opportunity to spend time with her.

For the first time in my life, a woman has my nose wide open, and I’m unsure how I feel about it.

It's only been a few days since the date, and I’m already craving Chaniya’s presence.

“Who’s got you staring into space, bro?” Jarrod asks.

Jarrod asked me to tag along with him to his cousin Kyree’s auto repair shop to check on his truck.

I should have known Jarrod’s ass only wanted me to go so I could save him some money by not scheduling an Uber.

Instead of accompanying Jarrod, I should be sleeping since I have to work tonight, but here I am.

“Nobody. Why are you watching me?”

“I wasn’t, but Kyree pointed out how sad your ass was looking, so I came to check on you. Don’t be embarrassing me. You know cuz is extra sensitive with his old lady being pregnant.”

A low chuckle escapes, and I shake my head at Jarrod before laughing when Kyree walks up and punches Jarrod in his stomach.

“Stop capping and leave my old lady out of your gossip session,” Kyree says before turning his attention to me. “Yo, you good, G? I’m not used to you sitting anywhere quiet. Your dog died or something?”

“His ass has been acting funny since he met some shorty who has been giving him her ass to kiss. I’m about ready to schedule him to see a head doctor because my bro is down bad.” Jarrod interjects.

“Wow. You’re reaching, but I’ll let you have it.”

“Oh, what happened then? You found out she eats toe jam with her toast?” Jarrod asks.

“Wait, what? That’s some nasty shit. Please tell me it ain’t nothing like that,” Kyree asks, twisting his nose like he smells something foul.

*bzz, bzz*

Ignoring Kyree and Jarrod, I remove my phone from my pocket, and a shit-eating grin upturns my lips upon seeing Chaniya’s name on my screen.

Chaniya: I was just thinking about you. Have you gotten rid of your nasty attitude, or do I need to block you again?

“Oh shit! This nigga must have gotten something from old girl. Look at this goofy ass grin,” Kyree says, laughing.

“Right. He has stars in his eyes and everything. Wow. This nigga already fell for ole girl based on the thirty-twos currently on full display. Damn,” Jarrod adds.

I refuse to admit how out of sorts I’ve been feeling since Chaniya went silent on me the night of our date.

I might have gone overboard in how I handled not hearing from her, but in my defense, her perfume still lingered in my kitchen, reminding me of her absence.

Not wanting to keep Chaniya waiting, I ignore the niggas in my presence and type my response.

Me: Let me make it up to you, love. When are you free again?

A strong desire to lock Chaniya into our next date hits me like an ocean current, causing me to hold my breath while waiting for her reply.

Chaniya: I’m not sure. My baby is sick, and I need to focus on nursing him back to health. I can let you know when my schedule opens up. Until then, have a great day.

“Wow. Wow,” I express while rereading Chaniya’s words because I had no idea she had a baby.

My body overheats, and my eyes are stuck on the message, trying to determine whether this is a deal breaker.

Chaniya wouldn’t be the first woman I’ve pursued or dated with a kid, but my previous experiences have left me a bit jaded.

I had seen and heard a lot from women who were settling with me because their child’s father didn’t want them.

Or they were still sleeping with him while entertaining me.

What has me the most hesitant is the past experience that had me ready to lock the woman down only for her to pop up pregnant by the deadbeat baby daddy.

“Damn. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, she tanked your battleship that fast. Aye, cuz, do you know any head doctors? My boy can’t keep going through this depressive state.” Jarrod’s voice penetrates my ears.

“Fuck you. Aye, Kyree, can you take this nigga home? I gotta make a run.”

“Wow. I get it, though. You need time to cry alone in the car. Be easy, bro. It’ll get better.” Jarrod smirks before jogging toward the back of the garage when I stand.

Flipping him off, I head out of the shop without another word because although I’m not gonna cry in my car, I do need time to process the bomb Chaniya just dropped.

“Fee, fi, fo, fum, walk away while you’re still numb,” I chant while playing with the honey nut Cheerios on my table. “Red fish, blue fish, should I take a chance with this fish?” Picking up a dry Cheerio, I throw it in my mouth.

I have no idea why my overly grown ass is chanting nursery rhymes or playing with this cereal.

Yet, my mind has been consumed with how I should handle Chaniya having a child.

I’m unsure how it will affect what I desperately want to build with her.

While my mind is in turmoil, my bitch ass heart is crying at the thought of walking away.

My mind wants me to disappear without a trace, but my dumb ass heart wants me to see how things go.

*bzz*

Chaniya: Can you call me?

My heart races, and my chest stretches upon reading Chaniya’s text because I still haven’t decided what to do. Dialing Chaniya’s number, I get up from the table and head to the living room before plopping on the couch just as the call connects.

“Hello, stranger.”

My dick twitches at the soft, melodic voice hitting my ear, which causes me to lick my lips before replying.

“My bad. I’ve been working longer hours at the hospital due to an increase in laboring mothers. I-uh, was gonna call you, but time hasn’t been on my side. How are you, though?”

When did you become a rambler?

Hanging my head, I rub circles on my chest when a dull ache forms as I wait for Chaniya to speak.

“Hm. Okay. I understand busy schedules and all. I just was wondering why I didn’t hear anything after telling you about my son.

I was wondering if you still wanted to be friends or if my being a mother has turned you off?

I also sent you a friend request on Facebook that’s been ignored.

What’s up, Mr. Malone? Are you ghosting me? ”

I saw Chaniya’s friend request but left it in the cue while I attempted to figure out how I wanted to proceed with whatever this thing is between us.

Oh, that’s cute. Now, you don’t know how to define your desire to be with this woman. Wow. Tighten up, nigga. A baby ain’t the worst thing this woman could have shared with you.

“My bad, Chaniya. No, I’m not trying to ghost your pretty ass. I’m also not interested in being your friend. Friends are platonic, and that’s the last thing I want from you.”

“Oh really? What do you want from me, then?” The laughter and a tinge of merriment in Chaniya’s voice make me smirk at her subtle way of questioning my objective concerning us.

“To be your man, Chaniya. What do you think about that?”

“I think I can be open to giving you a test run.”

Chuckling, I shake my head because, who the hell poses such a thing with someone who wants them?

“A test run?”

“Mhm. The fact that I had to reach out to you when you’ve previously been gung-ho about contacting me, protecting me, and pursuing me makes my suggestion necessary.

At thirty-two, I’m too old to continue letting you niggas play in my face.

Either you want to be serious about being in a relationship or you don’t.

The choice is yours, but the agreement to make things permanent is mine.

I suggest you react accordingly.” With that, Chaniya disconnects the call, and my dick hardens while pushing against my pants at her boss lady move.

“Damn. You better put me in my fucking place then.” Dropping my phone on the couch, I head to my bedroom to take a cold shower to relieve the pressure in my dick.

“Hey, Son. What brings you by? Your mom is at her line dance class.” Dad greets me when I enter the den, before standing from his recliner and pulling me into a one-arm hug.

“Oh, okay. I didn’t want anything, just came to see how you were, that’s all. I didn’t know Ma was doing a class like that.”

I want to talk to Dad about Chaniya, but I need to feel him out before jumping into a conversation that could become heavy.

While I’m 89 percent sure that I’m going to continue pursuing Chaniya, there’s still a lingering 11 percent doubt within me.

Unlike the others who fit Chaniya’s situation, my feelings for Chaniya are deeper.

I can see myself putting a ring on Chaniya’s finger in the future and giving her children for us to raise together.

“Oh yeah, she’s been doing it with Candace for the last week or so. I’m about ready to pop up on her ass because I need to see what’s causing the extra bounce in her step when she comes home after class.”

A smirk falls in place because Dad ain’t about to pop up on Ma regardless of how she returns home.

Dad taught me that a confident man never has to become an insecure one where his woman is concerned.

If a man loves his woman with everything he has, she will always remain loyal to him, no matter what joker grins in her face.

“What does Mrs. Candace’s husband think about her attending class?”

“That fool goes with her and tries to get me to go too. His lame ass bought him and Candace matching fans to flick and everything. That old fool ain’t about to convince me to throw my hip out trying to prove I still got a damn thing. He can have it,” Dad tells me before both of us laugh heartily.

“I’d love to see you flicking a fan, though, old man. Where dem fans at?” I ask, laughing and dodging Dad’s fist coming toward me.

“Go home, little nigga. Your visiting privilege has been revoked for today.”

“My mama told me I’m welcome here whenever I see fit to come through.”

“Your mama ain’t here with your grown ass. Get out.” Dad playfully shoves me toward the door.

“Fine. I hope Ma finds a man to teach her how to get low at her little class and leave your cantankerous butt.”

“Well, I hope your little pecker goes limp when you try to fuck on that woman who had you grinning the last time you were here.”

“Wow. That’s low, man. Why would you wish such a thing on me like that?”

Dad’s laughter pierces my ears as I leave the den, heading toward the front door after losing the battle between him and me.