Miss Lola.

My daughter's a what?

Chapter 6.

It was a spectacular evening and I hated for it to end...

After the fireworks, Hollis and I decided to go to the Silver Shoe on Davenport Drive, and honey it wasn't the sort of night club for young folk but that still didn't stop the odd number of twenty-somethings from trickling in occasionally.

You ain't gonna find no rap music blasting from the pole mounted Bose speakers in here or no D.J with his pants hanging halfway off his rump spinning that type of music either.

All you'll find are smooth tracks from back in the day when songs meant something special.

We sipped a few non alcoholic drinks and then a grinning Hollis held out his arms for me just as "Forever my lady" by K.C and Jojo started playing.

"Dance with me, pretty lady."

And I instantly floated inside of his arms like my feet were made of gossamer.

He wrapped my body in a strong embrace  and we began to gently sway to the music

Hollis was breathing softly against my ear as he pressed me so tightly against the solid length of his body.

He smelled of citrus and sandalwood...

I felt safe in his arms and somewhat giddy too, and it was almost a physical pain when the song ended and he pulled away, separating our bodies to gaze down into my eyes.

"You're a good dancer, Lola."

"Well, baby boy, you ain't seen nothing yet." I smirked.

The next number was a fast one and Hollis had me up in here doing the "running man" while he grinned and coaxed me on until I was huffing and puffing like a steam engine and here I was thinking that I was in pretty good shape.

Child, those exercise classes ain't doing me a bit of good if I'm this tired after one up tempo dance. Hmm...I might have to find myself another gym.

"Whew! Mama needs to sit down for a minute." I huffed, fanning my sweating face. Hollis grabbed my hand and lead me back to our corner booth, signaling for a waiter who walked over to us.

"I'd like a tall iced water." I said to the waiter who left and quickly returned carrying a large, frosted Evian on a tray.

"Here you are. Enjoy." He said, walking away.

"Forever my lady was my jam back in the day." I told Hollis. "I remember when the song first came out, it's all everyone was listening to on Hot 101. 6."

"I liked H-Town, myself." He said, humming a little bit of Knockin da boots.

"Yeah, all my friends thought they were so fine and handsome. Especially that lead singer? What was his name?" I snapped my fingers, trying to remember.

"Keven Connor." Hollis said.

"Right, that's him. Wasn't he killed in an automobile accident?"

Hollis nodded, "Yeah, so which one of H-Town did you think was fine?"

"Well, I was never into light skinned men." I said, batting my eyelashes at him. "I like my men tall, dark and handsome."

Hollis looked around the crowded club, "You mean like that guy over there?"

I looked in that direction and spotted a tall, brown skinned man standing near the door watching the dance floor with a bored look on his face.

He wasn't nearly as handsome as Hollis.

"No, silly. I meant like you." I flirted, and Hollis pretended to wipe his brow.

"Whew, you had me worried for a minute there." He joked.

"Do I detect a little jealousy rearing it's ugly head, Mr. Williams?" I teased.

"Me? Yeah, I'm a little jealous when it comes down to my woman."

I couldn't tell if he was joking or not because Hollis was watching me with a straight face.

"The ambience agrees with you. It's nice to see you letting your hair down." He said.

"That's because I rarely get the chance to let my hair down and relax. I'm always on 100."

Did he just refer to me as his woman? Do I mind him laying claim to me this soon?

Well actually, I don't mind it at all.

Hollis reached for my hand and this time I let him entwine his warm fingers with mine.

It actually felt nice to be holding hands as we gazed at each other with identical, goofy grins on our faces.

"Don't worry, you can always relax with me." Hollis said and I believed him.

Then,

"Ma? What the Hell..."

I whipped my head around and my eyes bugged.

"Have mercy! Rhonda, is that you?"

My daughter came teetering up to the booth on ridiculously high stiletto heels.

Well I think it was my daughter because the child was wearing a pound of glittery eye shadow, false lashes and the hair dresser in me cringed in horror at that clownish fire engine red wig on her head.

And have mercy!

She was barely covered in the shortest, blackest leather dress which exposed her bottom cheeks  while her big, bouncy boobs threatened to overspill the plunging neckline.

"Ma? Where my kids at?" Rhonda screeched.

"Well, they ain't here." I dead panned.

"Oh, I can see that, so where they at?"

"Nancy is watching them." My voice sounded wooden with shock. "What are you doing here?"

Rhonda nervously raked long, bright orange nails through that hideous wig accidentally loosening long strands of synthetic fibers which caught in her fake lashes and she avoided eye contact with me.

"I just stopped by."

"Stopped by to do what?" I asked her. "Pick up a few freaks?"

"Mother!" She sounded scandalized.

"Well, what else am I gonna think with you waltzing in here dressed like that and I thought you were working at your new job."

"That's not important right now. We ain't even discussing jobs. And who's he?"

Her eyes, so like my own even down to the tilted corners had flickered to Hollis who was openly staring at her in amazement.

"He's Mr. Hollis Williams." I said pointedly.

"Hello." A bemused Hollis said.

"Are y'all on a date or something? Ma, you should have said something sooner." Rhonda said.

"I don't have to tell you my business little miss nosy."

Rhonda's expression cooled as she faked a smile at Hollis.

"Well, it was nice meeting you Mr. Williams. Obviously, my mom is tripping and so I'll leave you two to your date."

She teetered away, heading towards the Ladie's.

"I'll be right back, Hollis." I said, jumping up to follow my daughter.

"What's your malfunction?" I asked.

Rhonda spun around on those hooker heels so fast that she staggered and nearly lost her balance.