Home Is With You

7 • Swear

"Don't fuck this up Homer. He's giving you a chance. Don't fuck this up." I say to myself as I look in the mirror. Dressed in plaid corduroy pants, a white button down shirt, and a khaki coat. Hearing my phone vibrate, I see Jeremy text me the locationg for the date.

Last night, Jeremy and I text all night we didn't stop until one in the morning. Conversation flowed so easily between us. It felt like I was talking to the one that got away. It felt like fate almost.

Grabbing my things, I lock up the house before making my way to the restuaraunt. Jeremy had said he would meet me in front of the restaurant so I want to be there a little early. Parking in front of the restaurant, I get out my car leaning against it. Not even twelve minutes go by before a trucks park in front of me. Jeremy gets out dress in a black button up, black slacks, and dress shoes. His hair falling over his shoulder in a braid.

"You clean up nice Homer." Jeremy smiles at me. "Thanks. You do too. Are you ready to go in?" I ask as I walk closer to him. "Yeah lead the way." Jeremy said. Opening the door for him I follow behind him. Walking up to the hostess, I tell her my name before we're led to our table.

I couldn't keep my eyes off him as we sat down, our order being taken. "Do I have something on my face?" Jeremy smirks as he sips his glass of Cabernet
Sauvignon. "Not at all I'm just admiring you." I shrug as the waiter brings my beef stroganoff and Jeremy's sirloin steak and sweet potato

"Alright. Let's play twenty questions." Jeremy said as he clapped his hands. "Isn't that a bit childish?" I ask. "We're going to ask each other real questions not what the kids ask these days." Jeremy says as he cuts into his steak.

"Okay. Umm...what was the worst date you've ever been on?" I ask him. "Oh God where do I start? One time a few years ago I had just turned forty, right. So to feel better I went out to a bar that a friend owns. I had a one night stand with this younger dude. He takes me on a date, he took me to a sushi restaurant  Get this, he made me pay for our meal then he threw up on my clothes. It was everywhere. My clothes, on my shoes, in my hair." Jeremy shivered in disgust.  "Damn." I say shaking my head. "Okay. Do you have children?" Jeremy asked. "Actually no. I've wanted them put having to babysit Maverick was enough for me to say hell no to children. He's hell on feet." I grumble. "Careful. That's my Godson you're talking about." Jeremy chastised.

"My nephew." I replied smirking. "How come you only seem to act this way around me? Georgia says you're  a grade A asshole most of the time." Jeremy asked as he sipped his wine. "You know I thinks it only been around you. I'm usually a asshole to everyone." I shrug.

"Well don't I feel special. Okay back to the game." Jeremy smiled. "Have you ever been married?" I asked. "No I've been engaged once upon a time. Have you?" Jeremy asked me.

"Yes I was married to my high school sweetheart for about twenty six years." I said rolling my eyes. "I swear to God if you're married I will slice and dice you." Jeremy growled. "No. No. No. I'm not married Jeremy I swear to you." I sat putting my hand on his.

"When did you divorce then?" Jeremy said with narrowed eyes. "Three months ago." I say to him. "Homer I really don't like being used. If your using me to get back with your wife we shouldn't be doing this." Jeremy said standing up from the table. Frowning, I grab onto his hand easing him back to his seat.

"Jeremy, don't think like that. Look my ex wife and I had alot failed pregnancies. She grew bitter towards me. It tore our relationship apart. I realized when I turn fifty. Life is too short to not be happy and I was far from happy." I said softly grabbing his hands.

"Sorry for overreacting. I just...I've been down this road before." Jeremy chuckled but I could hear the lump forming in his throat. "Don't apologize." I say to him softly.

"Can we go somewhere else? It's stuffy in here." Jeremy says as he gets up. Nodding I lead him to the hostess area as I pay for our meal before we leave the restaurant. "Where do you want to go?" I ask him as we stand outside.

"Follow me in my truck." Jeremy said. "Okay." I say to him. Getting in my car I follow his truck down to the lounge that we met at. Parking my car, I exit my car as I follow Jeremy inside as he sits down on the lounge chairs.

"Let's talk about something else. Ask me a question Homer." Jeremy said giving a strained smile as he sipped on scotch. "How do you know so many languages?" I ask him as I play with the ends of his braid.

"My father was stationed is Africa where he met my mother. We spent five years in Nigeria. My mama taught me Igbo. Dad had us move with him to North Korea. We spent another five years there. When we moved to Russia we spent three years there. Then we packed and moved to Portugal, we spent maybe four years there. We moved to Cuba. Dad died and we saved so we could move to America and we've been here ever since about three years ago." Jeremy smiled fondly.

"Well can you translate for me next time you go off on me. I mean I have to know other languages but I don't know alot." I chuckle. "No. I need to keep a few secrets to myself." Jeremy smirks winking at me. I hum softly as I smile softly.