The List (12 page)

I
scanned the audience at Wednesday night service, looking at the men. I wasn't in a hormonal, lusty mood this time. I just needed to have at least a minute of conversation with some guy, so I could report it at our next girls' night meeting. For the last two meetings, I had no guy encounters to report. With everything going on at work, I didn't have time to be man-chasing.

I didn't feel like watching Angela giggle and glow or hear about Lisa's three men a week, then her repeated slams about me never finding a man.

I glanced down the row at a light-skinned brother. I didn't have much time. We had switched girls' night to Thursday nights because, almost every weekend, Angela was either going to Augusta or Gary was coming here. Lisa also went out regularly on Friday nights, too. She always had some funny story to share about a date gone wrong. Somehow, even with her crazy list, she picked the wrong guys. If it wasn't for Angie, I would have given up on dating altogether.

Light-skinned brother raised his hand in response to something Pastor was preaching, and I noticed a wedding band. I wished there was a rule that married men had to have a big “married” stamp across their forehead. That way I wouldn't have to work so hard to get a look at their ring finger. Looking all desperate and lonely.

After service, I went to the church bookstore to see if they had Micah Stampley's new CD.

“Hey, Michelle. Long time no see. Looking for something in particular?”

Perfect. It was Kelvin, the guy Nicole and Lisa swore was trying to get next to me. I decided that I would chat and flirt for a few minutes, find some reason to rule him out, and have something to report at tomorrow's meeting.
Thanks, God.

I must have overdone it. Next thing I knew, I was giving Kelvin my number, and we were making plans to go see a movie on Friday night.
Thanks, God. Really. Thanks.

I was sure God was gonna strike me one day for being sarcastic with Him. I could see Him looking at Jesus and shrugging His shoulders like, “What did I do? She's the one down there batting her eyelashes and giggling when nothing's funny.”

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. He was nice enough looking—butter-cream colored with nice eyes and a great smile. And he seemed godly enough, working at the church bookstore. He had to be in church every time the doors opened. Certainly it had to have some effect on him. Maybe this would be good for me. I needed to get out there and date, instead of whining about being manless but not taking action.

 

The girls were excited when I told them about my date at the meeting the next night. Angela was all giggles, more so because of the Gary effect than being happy for me. Lisa was full of dating advice—what to wear, meeting him instead of letting him pick me up, not being an independent black woman and letting him pay for everything. I felt like I should be taking notes. Nicole smirked the whole evening like she knew there was no way it could go well. I ignored her and made up my mind that no matter what, I was going to have a good time.

 

Before I knew it, it was Friday night. I realized it was my first date since . . . since forever. I wanted to dress cute, but not like I was trying too hard. I wanted my make-up to look natural and not too overdone. I took out my two-stranded twists and let my hair fly high and wavy. I put on a blue-jeans-turned-blue-jean skirt with African mud cloth trim and a brown T-shirt. My cowry shell choker and earrings finished off the outfit. When I was done, I winked at myself in the mirror.
Don't hurt him, girl.

Me and Kelvin met at Stonecrest to see a movie. When we got there, he realized he had gotten the time wrong and the movie wasn't due to start for another hour. At least it would give us a chance to talk and get to know each other better. We strolled through the mall, and I had to admit, it felt good to be with a guy. I knew I was looking good, and he looked cute in a pair of nice jeans and a black T-shirt.

We chatted easily for a few minutes while we were walking. This wasn't so bad. Tonight would be fun, and maybe we'd go out again next week. Maybe I would be the one glowing and giggling by the next meeting.

He cracked a few jokes and I laughed. They weren't very funny, but I felt giddy. Whenever I laughed, he smiled real big like it made him happy to make me happy. Which, of course, made me laugh at the next corny joked he cracked. I didn't know why Lisa's luck was so bad. I should've done this weeks ago.

“You look really nice, Michelle. Your hair is real cool like that. I love the natural look.”

“Thanks, Kelvin.” I blushed a little. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to compliment him back or just say thanks. I should have asked Lisa more dating questions.

He stopped and stood in front of a kiosk that sold vitamins and health products.
Oh good, he's a healthy guy.

He browsed for a second and then the sales lady came over. “Looking for anything in particular?”

“Yeah. You got anything for stamina and longevity?” He elbowed me in the side and winked.

My eyes flew open. Was he serious? I didn't move or speak while the lady sang the praises of ginseng.

When we walked away, he elbowed me again. “You know I was just playing, right?”

I nodded and forced a smile.

We walked around to a few more stores, and I tried to make myself relax.
Don't rule him out too quick, Michelle. Give him a chance. He's a nice guy. A godly guy. He was just joking.

His face lit up. “Oh, there's my favorite store. Do you mind if we stop?”

I looked up at the sign. “Shoe-4-Less. All shoes $6.99 and under.” Without even thinking, I glanced down at his shoes. Looked like he only had about $1.99 worth of wear left in them. I followed him as he browsed the men's aisles.

He pointed toward the ladies section. “You don't want to look?”

I shook my head.
Do I look like I want to have bunions by the time I'm forty?

We looked at a few more bargain stores that I never realized were in the mall, and finally, it was time for the movie to start. When we got to the ticket counter, he pulled out an old card and flipped it onto the counter. “Two tickets for
I Am Legend
on a student discount.”

The young girl at the counter sucked her teeth and pushed the card back toward him. “We don't do student discounts.”

He leaned back and looked at the sign where the movie prices were listed. “No student discounts? Why not? I always get a student discount at Atlantic Station.”

She cracked her gum and let out a loud breath. “This ain't Atlantic Station. We don't do student discounts here.” She pulled the card toward her. “And this is about ten years old. Ain't you out of school?”

He slid the money across the counter. I wanted to sink into the floor.

I guess he could tell I was embarrassed.

“Sorry about that. I'm a little strapped for cash at the moment. I had to borrow forty bucks from my boy for this date.”

He said it like I should be flattered. So, of course when he gestured toward the concession stand, I shook my head—glad I had eaten before I left the house.

After the lights dimmed in the movie, I felt his hand slide onto my right thigh. He couldn't be serious.

I shifted a little, hoping he'd take the hint and move it. He didn't.

I shifted again. He squeezed my thigh, I guess, misinterpreting my squirming.

I finally got disgusted and lifted his hand and pushed it over onto his lap.

He leaned over and whispered, “Yeah, I guess I better keep my hand off your leg. We wouldn't want my nature to rise.”

All I could think of was Nicole's face when I shared at the next girls' meeting.

I leaned away from him. He leaned toward me. I leaned further away until I was almost in the empty seat next to me.

He whispered loudly, “What's wrong?”

“What?” I whispered back.

“Why you all the way over there?”

“My side hurts because I slept funny last night.” What'd I say that for? Next thing I know he was massaging my side.

I pushed his hand away. “That makes it worse.”

He pulled his hand back and scowled. I swear his face stayed like that for the rest of the movie. He kept letting out long disgusted breaths like I really made him mad. Maybe I hadn't dated in a while, but I didn't think his hands all over my body when we just met was the least bit okay.

After the movie ended, we walked out to the parking lot. I held out my hand to shake his. “Thanks so much for such a good time. I really enjoyed the movie.”
In spite of you groping me
.

“You're ready to go home so early? I wanted to show you a good time, and I feel like we got off to a bad start. Plus, I still got money left.”

I wanted to tell him to save his last twenty dollars. Was I being difficult and unapproachable? I remembered my girls telling me to not rule guys out too fast and sucked in a deep breath. “What do you have in mind?”

“Well, I know you like music, so I figured I'd take you to listen to some jazz.”

I thought it was sweet that he considered that I liked music. We talked about the latest gospel CD releases whenever I went into the bookstore, and he played samples for me all the time. I hadn't been out listening to live music in a while, and I could scout some talent for
Indie Artist
. “Okay. Sounds good.”

“We should take one car. I'll drive.”

I thought about Lisa's rule list, but followed him to his car anyway. It didn't make sense to take two cars to the same place. I bumped into him when he stopped at this ratty, broke-down car. Certainly, it wasn't his. He took out his keys and opened the door. Oh dear, it was.

I wasn't really into cars, but I couldn't imagine getting into his ride. It looked like it was being held together by safety pins and duct tape. The girls were not going to believe me when I described that the hood, side panels and driver's side door were three different colors. I could tell he was friends with whoever owned the junkyard he frequented.

If only I had gotten in my car and driven off then. But I was committed to trying this dating thing. Right?

I directed him to one of my favorite jazz spots I used to hang out in.

When we got there, he started to pull into the parking lot. “Valet parking? How much is it?”

“Oh, just five dollars,” I said.

“Five dollars? Are they crazy? We can do better than that.” He pulled out of the lot and down the street.

I pointed to another parking lot. “There's one. Three dollars for the rest of the evening.”

He shook his head. “I think we can do better.” He drove another two blocks to a bank parking lot. “See, I told ya. This one's free.”

“How much does this place cost to get into anyway?”

If I had driven my own car, I would have left at that moment. Actually I would have left after the parking fiasco.

“I don't know. I used to come before nine when ladies get in for free.”

He looked down at his watch. “Dang, we should have skipped the movie and come straight here. It's almost ten.”

I wanted to tell him I'd pay my own way, but according to Lisa, that was the worst way to hurt a man's pride.

When we got to the entrance, he asked the woman at the door, “Can ladies still get in for free?”

She rolled her eyes and cast a pitying glance in my direction. “No, sir. It's after nine. It's ten dollars per person.”

I was too aggravated to be embarrassed. Or to care about his manhood. I pulled a twenty out of my pocket, pushed it into her hand, and walked through the door before he could say anything.

He followed close behind. “Hey, you didn't have to do that. But thanks. I appreciate you having my back.”

I walked toward the tables closest to the jazz stage. The waitress stopped us. “These tables are for dining customers. Will you all be ordering from the menu?”

He looked at me. “You're not hungry, are you?”

I glared at him and bit my tongue.
We met at six, cruised every bargain store in the mall for an hour, watched a movie for two hours, drove here and took an hour to find a parking spot, then walked a mile to get to the club. What do you think?

I hissed, “Yes, I'm hungry. But, don't worry, I'll buy myself something to eat.”

The waitress bit her lip, probably trying not to laugh. She grabbed two menus and held out her hand. “Right this way.”

I was glad she sat us close to the stage. Hopefully, the music would drown out any attempts at conversation. I perused the menu.

He studied it with a pensive look on his face. “We could share some wings. Or an order of fries and something to drink. Or we could split a burger.” He looked up at me.

I ignored him.

When the waitress came to the table, I ordered grilled chicken, vegetables, and garlic mashed potatoes. His eyes bugged out when he looked over at the prices on the entrée side of the menu.

I handed my menu to the waitress and said to him, “Don't worry. Like I said, I got it.”

He smiled. “Oh, yeah. In that case, I'll have the same thing.” He folded the menu and gave it to the waitress. He leaned over and whispered. “You got me, too?”

I looked up at the waitress. “That'll be on separate checks.” Luckily, the music started as soon as she left, and I didn't hear another word he said for the rest of the evening. Just nodded and smiled whenever I saw his mouth moving.