Fall Black In Love 1: When Henry Met Millie (3 page)

  Bill smiled. “Now that I know she’s here, I’ll find her.” Henry shook his head as Bill headed off in one direction. While he was watching Bill, a girl approached him from the opposite direction.

  “Did you come to dance?” she asked and Henry turned.

  “I can do that,” he told her.

She smiled. “I’m Irma.”

  “Henry,” he replied. “You play on the team right?”

She nodded happily. “I’m surprised you noticed. Everybody just knows Honey.”

  “I’m very observant,” Henry said smiling.

  “So am I. I’ve seen you at the games.”

  “You have a really good team. You play well together,” he commented.

Her eyes lit up. “You know baseball?”

  “Yeah, I know a lot about baseball.”

  “So we have something in common,” she teased.

Henry laughed. “I guess we do Miss Irma.”

She looked Henry over. “So we’re dancing right?”

  “Lead the way ma’am.” Henry followed her to a spot for dancing in the room as “Come See About Me” by The Supremes began playing.

  Henry and Irma began to sway and jerk to the Motown beat. They joined hands and began to Detroit “bop” – a simple two-step where Henry spun her around in between steps. Irma smiled at him after coming out of one of his spins.

  “You can dance Henry!” she said impressed.

  “You’re a good partner,” Henry told her and she beamed as “Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch” by The Four Tops began to play.

The two continued their motions until others began to watch and comment.

  “Alright now!”

“We see you!”

  Millie went to see what was going on and froze as she entered the room. Henry and Irma were lighting up the dance floor. Both were smiling and having the time of their lives. The song switched to a slower beat and the two slowly bumped against each other’s chests and lower, causing Millie’s eyes to widened.

The next song changed to a slow number and Irma looked up at Henry. “A slow dance?” she asked.

  “I need to get a drink. It’s pretty hot in here.”

Irma winked. “Okay Henry, I’ll get my dance later.”

  “Yes ma’am.” Henry headed to the kitchen to order a cup of punch. He walked up behind Millie who was waiting for her food. Ordering his punch, he took the cup and downed it in one swig.

Millie looked over at him. “You need another one?” she asked.

  “No, I’m fine.”

She nodded. “I ordered food, but I don’t want to interrupt your dancing.”

Henry watched her. “I’m done dancing now.”

  Millie was handed her plate then Henry gestured her to walk ahead of him. “Where do you want to go?” she asked over her shoulder.

  “It doesn’t matter.”

Millie kept walking. “It’s pretty crowded now. People are everywhere.”

  “Let’s go to my car,” Henry suggested and she stopped causing him to run into the back of her.

  “I’m sorry,” he apologized taking a step back.

She turned. “No, that’s my fault.”

He smiled. “I’m guessing my car was not a good idea.”

  “You surprised me,” Millie admitted. “But your car is fine. We can at least sit down.”

Henry nodded and took the lead as Millie followed.

  Bill had caught a glimpse of Honey across the crowded dance room earlier but he hadn’t been able to locate her since then. The party was in full swing now and people were shoulder to shoulder inside the house. He decided to wait until the crowd thinned out to find her.

Chapter 3

  Inside the car, Millie turned to Henry and handed the plate to him. “You go first this time.”

He shook his head behind the wheel. “Eat the food Miss Millie.”

  “You make me feel bad,” she pouted.

Henry laughed. “Why?”

  “I feel like I’m taking advantage of you,” Millie confessed.

  “If I offer, it’s not taking advantage.”

Millie handed him a utensil. “Well, I brought two forks so we can at least eat at the same time.”

  “That works.”

  Henry waited until Millie began eating before taking any food from the plate. They watched eat other as they consumed the delicious fare.

  “What do you study at the college?” Henry inquired to break the silence inside the car.

  “Nursing.”

He nodded. “I can see you doing that.”

She smiled. “Really? Why?”

Henry shrugged. “You’re nice to be around and easy to talk to.”

  “You like talking to me?” she asked staring down into her plate.

  “In the two times that I’ve spoken with you…yes I do,” he answered quietly.

Millie smiled. “I like talking to you too, Henry.” She laughed. “And eating too, apparently.”

  “Good food, good conversation and a pretty girl…what more could a man ask for?”

She took another bite of food to avoid answering his question.

  “Do you like women’s softball now?” she asked and he laughed softly at her change of subject.

  “I must say that I do like it a lot more,” he admitted. “Baseball is my favorite sport.”

Millie beamed. “Me too.”

  “Not too many girls that love baseball.”

  “I guess I’m just special,” she boasted playfully.

Henry looked at her. “I think that’s a given Miss Millie.”

She blushed and picked up a piece of the golden fried chicken. “Thank you.”

  “Why do they call you Honey?”

  Millie pursed her full lips. “Most people think it’s because of my coloring, but actually my Daddy gave me that nickname. He said I was the sweetest thing he’d ever seen...like honey.”

Henry nodded in agreement as she continued. “I loved my Daddy. He developed my love of baseball.”

“Did he teach you that killer swing?” Henry asked.

She smiled and finished her piece of meat. “Yeah, he did…and my showmanship.”

  “It’s very entertaining,” he told her. “Honey is quite a sight to see.”

They both looked down at the now empty plate.

  “We’ve emptied another plate,” he commented.

  “I’ll take care of putting this one in the trash,” she told him.

Henry sat back in his seat and looked out at the now darkened street. “It’s no problem.”

Millie looked around as well. People were still walking around and the party was still in full swing.

  “I’m keeping you from the party,” Millie said turning to him.

Underneath the streetlight, he locked eyes with hers. “It’s your party.”

  “Are you coming back inside or are you leaving now?”

  “Are you going back inside?” he inquired.

Millie looked at her watch. “For a little longer.”

Henry did the same. “Then I will too… for a little while longer.”

  Henry climbed out of the vehicle then walked around to open the door for Millie who grabbed the empty plate and trash before stepping out of the car.  Side by side, they walked back into the home and Millie disappeared to dump the garbage.

  Henry leaned against the wall and surveyed the room. The crowd had thinned considerably and the music was now all slow tunes with couples nestled against one another. Millie returned and stood looking up at him.

  “Would you like to dance Miss Millie?”

She grinned. “I was hoping you would ask me.”

  Henry took her hand. “I’m glad I didn’t disappoint you.” He led her to a small spot then she turned to him placing both hands on his shoulders as Smokey Robinson and The Miracles began to sing “Tracks of My Tears”.

  Millie smiled to herself as he placed his large hands on her small waist and they started to move slowly to the smooth tune. Henry stared down into her face and concentrated on keeping his hands in a respectable place on her tight, lithe body. He braced himself as Millie moved closer and looped her arms around his neck.

  Millie could feel Henry’s solid strength through his nice shirt. He looked good in his work uniform so she was definitely digging him in regular clothes. She liked his height and the gentle way he held her in his arms. The song faded into another without either of them missing a beat.

  Neither of them spoke as one dance turned into two then into three until they lost count. Henry pulled her closer wrapping a strong arm around her back and Millie could only lay her head on his broad chest and inhale his masculine scent.

After a long while, Henry lifted her face to his. “Miss Millie, do you need a ride home?”

“Irma is my ride.”

“We should find her because it’s getting late,” Henry informed her.

He took her hand and she followed him through the house in search of Irma. When they were unable to find her inside, they headed outdoors.

  “I know she didn’t leave me,” Millie said confused.

Henry looked around outside. “I don’t see her anywhere.”

  “That’s not like her,” Millie frowned.

  “Well, I’m not going to leave you here, so let me take you home.”

Millie agreed. “I’ll try to call her when I get there and see what happened.”

  Henry escorted her back to his car, opening the door for her and settling her inside before going around to the driver’s seat. 

“Just tell me where to go.” Henry started the car before looking over at Millie who was deep in thought.

  “What’s the matter?” he asked.

  “I don’t know why Irma would just disappear and leave me stranded like that.”

Henry shrugged. “Maybe she had to leave for an emergency?”

  “She could’ve let me know something,” Millie complained.

  “I’m going to make sure you get home safely.”

Millie looked at him. “Thank you Henry.”

As Henry drove in the direction Millie indicated, he glanced at her. “When is the championship game?”

  “A week from now; the teams get a week’s rest before the big game,” she answered.

  “Are you nervous?”

She laughed. “Honestly, I’m always nervous but I’m going to do my best.”

   “I don’t think they’re ready for Honey,” he told her.

Millie bit her lip. “Are you coming?”

He looked over at her. “Would you like me to?”

She pursed her lips and sat quietly for a moment. “Yes, I want you to come.”

Henry laughed. “Did it take that long to decide?”

  “No, I just didn’t want to seem anxious,” she answered honestly.

  “I’ll be at your game Miss Millie, whether you’re anxious or not.”

  All too soon they arrived at Millie’s home and Henry parked in front of the house. He turned to her with a smile. “May I walk you to the door?”

  She nodded and he got out to come around to let her out of the car. Quietly and side by side, they walked up the driveway to the front porch.

At the doorway, Millie looked up at him. “Thank you Henry. I’ve had a good time with you today.”

Henry nodded. “I’ll see you next week.”

  “Okay,” Millie whispered.

  Millie waited while he lightly touched the edges of her hairline. “You are a very, very pretty girl Miss Millie.” 

She smiled. “I’m glad you think so Henry.”

  “Have a good night,” he told her as his gaze slid to her lips.

  “You too.”

  With one final glance, Henry turned and walked back down the driveway. He waited in his car until Millie was inside then took off to head to his apartment.

Millie watched until the headlights disappeared then went to call Irma.

  “What in the world is wrong with that girl?” Millie said as she went to the phone.

She dialed Irma’s number and was surprised when she answered on the first ring.

  “Hello?”

  “Irma?”

Irma sighed. “What do you want Honey?”

Millie looked confused. “What do you mean what do I want? Why did you leave me at the party?”

  “I figured you would go home with Henry since you spent most of the night with him,” Irma informed her.

  “Since when do I go home with guys I just met?” Millie snapped. “And that’s still no reason to just leave me stranded.”

  “You got home didn’t you?” Irma questioned.

Millie frowned. “That’s wrong Irma.”

  “I told you I was diggin’ him Honey. So you’re the one that’s wrong.”

  “Irma, I ate with him. He offered me some of his food and I returned the favor,” Millie explained. “We didn’t do anything else.”

  “You danced with him too,” Irma accused.

Millie huffed, “You danced with him too!”

“I didn’t disappear with him.”

  “This is crazy Irma,” Millie told her. “I’m not going to argue with you over a guy we don’t even know. We need to be preparing for the next game.”

  “Henry Patterson is a nice guy, but I’m focused on winning a championship and finishing school,” Millie told her hotly.

There was silence on the line for a few moments before Irma spoke again.

  “I’m sorry Honey,” she said quietly. “I shouldn’t have left you like that.”

  “It’s just that I thought me and Henry had a connection, but then he was on your heels the rest of the night,” Irma finished.

Millie smiled wistfully. “Believe me Irma, Henry Patterson is not on my heels.”

  “You sound like you want him to be…” Irma pointed out.

  “Honestly, I wouldn’t mind.”

Irma pouted. “So you are diggin’ him?”

Millie held the receiver in her hand. “I am, but like I said I’m focused on other things right now.”

  “Of course you’re diggin’ Henry, he’s fine and he drives that nice car,” Irma surmised.

  “It’s not either of those things, Henry is far more than that,” Millie said adamantly.

Irma lifted a brow in surprise. “Wow! I can’t believe somebody has gotten Honey’s attention.”

Millie remained silent.

  “Okay Honey, you can have this one, but the next tall, fine, sexy brother is mine,” Irma conceded.

  Millie laughed. “I know the next time you leave me stranded, we’re going to fight…teammate or no teammate.”

Irma laughed too. “Did Henry take you home?”

  “Yes, because he’s a gentleman.”

  “Did you kiss him?” Irma asked eagerly.

  “Goodnight Irma. See you in class tomorrow.” Millie promptly replaced the receiver before Irma could respond.