Page 27 of Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming

KOFI

K ofi’s hard at work fixing a woman’s tattoo.

It’s placed on her bikini line. She broke up with her boyfriend and is getting a flower placed over his name.

It never fails. The minute someone gets their partner’s name tattooed on them, the problems start, and they break up.

If Kofi simply had clients who got tattoos based on break ups, his clientele wouldn’t shrink that much.

“I can’t believe that asshole cheated on me. Do you know that I helped pay for his LLC? And I supported him when he was in school. Men are shit. No offense.”

“None taken,” Kofi replies.

“And he left me for some bitch named Sapphire. What kind of goofy ass name is that?”

“Jennifer is a much better name, in my opinion.”

“Thank you. I hope she gives him herpes.”

“Please don’t make me laugh while I’m doing this.”

“Sorry. I just want to know why. Why leave after five years together?”

“He made a name for himself with your help, and now he thinks the grass is greener. I’ve seen this a lot.

And I mean a whole lot. The man builds a life with a good woman and once things start to pop off, he thinks he deserves better.

He sees his woman as something to be replaced.

Trust me. He’s going to be crawling back any day now. ”

“Thank you, Kofi. You’re really easy to talk to.”

“So, I’ve been told.” He smiles thinking of Suchi’s words.

“Hey, are you single?” she asks.

“I am, but I’m seeing someone.”

Damn, that feels good to say .

“Oh, I was thinking of hooking you up with a friend of mine.”

“Thank you, but no thank you. I’m happy where I’m at.”

“Well, she’s certainly a lucky girl.”

“Appreciate you.”

After he’s done with Jennifer’s tattoo, Kofi goes into his office for some privacy and calls Suchi.

“Hello,” Suchi answers.

“ Sushi ! Jelani’s being a boo-boo head,” Leticia yells.

Kofi stifles a laugh.

“Lettie don’t use that type of language. Remember, words can cause the people we love pain. And don’t yell. There’s no need to raise your voice. I’m here to listen to you.”

“Okay,” Lettie says.

“I’m sorry, Kofi. I was supposed to be taking a break while the kids have their snack, but Lettie found me.”

“No worries. Did she just call you Sushi ?”

“Yes, that’s what the two dumplings call me. The girls love it. They thought it was hilarious when I first told them.”

“They call me coffee.”

Suchi burst out laughing.

“What are your plans tonight?”

“You’re coming over to my place for dinner, and you’ll get to meet Ginger.”

“For real? I get to meet the famous Gingie?”

“Yep, and if things go well, you can meet my girls. They’re very curious about you.”

“I look forward to that.”

Suchi opens the door and Kofi can’t help it; he pulls her over and kisses her. When they break apart, she’s grinning.

He hears the pitter patter of little feet, and then Ginger comes into view. He smiles and picks her up. She proceeds to lick his face.

“Hi, Ginger. I’m your new daddy. Yes, I am. Are you giving daddy kisses?”

“Sir.”

“Ma’am.”

“Who said you were her new daddy?”

“I did. You and I are a couple, Dr. Brown, and this is our baby.”

The two get settled and make dinner together. On the menu is linguine alle vongole. Kofi makes that—at his insistence— while Suchi makes a salad and garlic toast.

“It sounds like you have to fix a lot of peoples tattoos.”

“Let me tell you, girl. Between drunken mistakes, break ups and artists who cannot spell …” Kofi says making Suchi laugh.

“You’re swimming in clients,” she says.

“Drowning.” He lets out a soft chuckle.

“I imagine it’s not that different from being a hairdresser. People seek therapy from folks whose job takes time. Talking is inevitable and getting personal is, too.”

“This is true. My previous job called for me to listen a lot, too.”

“What did you do before tattooing?”

“Um, I?—”

The timer goes off, and Suchi takes the garlic bread out of the oven.

“Hold that thought, Kofi. I’ll be right back.”

Suchi leaves the room.

Kofi looks at Ginger and offers her a treat. His phone buzzes. It’s Thad.

Kofi turns his back and answers. “Hey, man. I’m at Suchi’s. I’ll call you back.”

“Right, your date is tonight. Sorry, I forgot. How are things going? Have you told her, yet?”

“No, I was just getting ready to when she stepped out the room.”

“Okay, well I’ll let you get to it, and remember, Kof. If she trips, it’s okay.”

“I don’t know about that, T. I really like her and see a future with her. If she responds poorly, I don’t think I’ll take it well.”

“If that does happen, you let me know. I got you.”

“Thanks, man.”

Suchi comes out and looks … off. “Um, Kofi I’m not feeling well.”

“Oh, do you want me to get you something? I can go to a store and get you whatever you need,” Kofi replies.

“No, I just need to lie down,” Suchi answers.

“Right. Okay. I’ll leave you alone. Call me when you feel better.”

“I will.” She gives him a weak smile.

He heads to the door. She opens it for him.

He kisses her. “Good night, Suchi.”

“Good night, Kofi.”

Suchi

Suchi

CODE 911!!! Facetime now!!

The ladies all get on Facetime.

Lyric pops up, followed by Aimee then Bridget.

“I’m sorry if you all were busy, but I don’t know what to do,” Suchi says.

“No worries, babe,” Lyric replies.

“Yeah, Patrick was just painting my toenails.” Aimee shrugs.

“And I was getting some words in.” Bridget sips her tea.

She always drinks tea when she writes.

“Shit, sorry, Bridge,” Suchi says.

“Girl, it’s no problem. The kids are at their grandparents.

Ever since Lamar pulled his fuck shit, his parents are available 25/8.

They’re embarrassed by their son’s assholery, so they make it up to me by taking the kids whenever I need alone time.

The deadline for this manuscript is ahead of schedule anyway. Now what’s going on?”

“It’s Kofi. He wants to share something with me, and I have no idea what. But it seems to be something bad. He’s afraid I won’t take it well.”

“How do you know that?” Lyric asks.

“I overheard him talking to his cousin. I didn’t mean to, but now I’m worried. I really like him, girls. What if it’s something really bad?”

“Wait, didn’t you have a date tonight? Where is he?”

“I told him I didn’t feel well and asked him to leave,” Suchi confesses.

“Why in the hell did you do that? Why not just ask him?” Bridget asks.

“I freaked out, and I needed a girlfriends’ moment to figure out what to do.”

“Do what Bridge just suggested. Ask him. Tell him you didn’t mean to overhear his conversation, and you’re freaking out about what he wants to tell you,” Lyric suggests.

“But what if it’s something really bad?” Suchi squeezes her hand with worry.

“Okay, let’s go down the list of possibilities,” Bridget says. “He could be married.”

“That’s true.” Suchi pours herself some wine.

“He could have a whole gaggle of kids,” Aimee remarks.

“But why hide that? He told me he loves kids, why hide his own?” Suchi takes a sip.

“Probably because of the whole gaggle part.” Bridget moves around the teabag in her mug.

“What if he’s killed someone?” Aimee guesses.

“That would have come up in his background check,” Lyric states.

“What background check?” Suchi asks.

“The one I had Big Head do,” Lyric tells her.

“Look, we can speculate all night, but the only way you’ll know is if you ask, Sooch.” Bridget says.

“That’s true. Thanks, girls.”

“Always, we got you. You know that.” Lyric smiles.

Suchi lets out a breath. “Time to rip the Band-Aid off. I’ll call you all later.”

“Okay.”

“It’s going to be okay, Sooch. No matter what happens,” Aimee says.

Suchi nods and ends the call then sends a text to Kofi.

Suchi

Could we meet and talk?

Kofi

Sure, I’m near a park in Redondo Beach. Czuleger Park. Meet me there.

Suchi

I know it. I’ll meet you there in twenty minutes.

Kofi

Okay.

Twenty minutes later, Suchi gets out of her car with Ginger on her leash and sees Kofi sitting on a bench looking melancholy, and she immediately feels like shit for asking him to leave.

She takes Ginger off her leash, even though she isn’t supposed to, but Kofi looks like he needs to be cheered up.

“Go to daddy, baby,” she tells her.

Ginger barks, making Kofi look up. He smiles as Ginger runs to him. He gathers her in his strong arms, and she licks his face. He puts her down, and Suchi puts her leash back on.

“Hi,” Suchi says.

“Hi,” he replies.

“I’m going to take Ginger for a walk.”

“Okay.”

They walk around the park, stopping to let Ginger poop and pee. Suchi disposes of her wastes and uses hand sanitizer. She, Ginger and Kofi stand and look at the ocean before Suchi talks.

“I’m so sorry, Kofi, but I heard your conversation with Thad … and I freaked out. I … um … I really like you, and I don’t want to get hurt again. Here I am, crying in front of you again.” Suchi looks down.

Kofi lets out a soft chuckle and lifts her head up by her chin. “And as I told you, it’s okay. I’m here to wipe your tears.”

“My friends and I speculated about what you would possibly have to tell me.”

Kofi gives her a weak smile. “Do you want to get some ice cream?”

“Sure.”

She drives to Handel’s ice cream. He parks next to her before they go to the counter and order. She gets raspberry dream, and he orders blueberry cobbler. When they take the cold treats to a nearby outdoor table, Suchi sets up Ginger’s portable water bowl and ties her leash to the table.

They eat in silence for a bit before Kofi speaks up. “Suchi, I used to be a sex worker,” he confesses.

Suchi looks at him with wide eyes.

Okay, I did not see that coming .