Tainted Love

New Friend

                       New Friend 

 Three weeks had passed. Michael and Niyah still weren't speaking. They'd see each other in their comings and goings. Neither said anything to the other. Niyah was lying on the sofa in her living room when her cell phone rang.

 "Hello?"

 "I haven't heard from you in a minute. What's been going on?" Emonie asked.

 "Not much. Working like crazy. How've you been?"

 "Same old thing - wife, mother, superwoman, cook, referee, and one hell of an attorney!" They laughed.

 "How are the kids? Every time I come by, they're always busy with dance, soccer, football and Lord only knows what else. Do they ever get a day off?"

 "Wait until you have children. You'll be trying to keep them busy with everything you can think of, so they can stop getting on your nerves." They both continued to laugh. "Are you busy? I was wondering if you wanted to go work out."

 "Sounds good. I'll see you there."

 She hung up the phone and gathered her things for the gym. Downstairs, she ran into Michael. He didn't even acknowledge her as he came in from work. Once inside, he took off his jacket to his suit and threw his briefcase down at the door. He pulled off his tie and unbuttoned his shirt. He had a seat on the sofa and turned on the TV. She knew she was going to have to break the ice.

 "How was work?"

 "It was work."

 "I'm getting ready to leave. Do you need anything before I go?"

 "No," he told her, as he changed the channel.

 "How long are we going to keep this up? Michael, it's been almost a month since I went out with Allen. When are you going to let this go? Can't you see what's happening to us? I haven't talked to him since our date, and you're still not speaking to me."

 He got up, walked into the kitchen, and she walked out the door.

                                    *          *          *

 Niyah met up with her sister in the locker room. Emonie had already changed her clothes.

 "What's up?" They hugged. "Have you talked to Allen?"

 "No. The last few weeks have been hectic. I must've delivered a million babies," Niyah told her, as she changed her clothes.

 "It's been a minute since your date.  You better not let that good man get away!"  Emonie told her, as they stretched for their workout.

 "I've been too busy to do anything. I had a good time with him. He's a nice guy. I was going to call him."

 "Niyah, you really never told me what happened between you and Allen." She was smiling before Niyah even said a word.

 Niyah told her everything.

 "Sounds like the two of you really hit it off. So where is this going? Are you ever going to call him? Will there be future dates or was that it?"

 "Why does this have to go somewhere? Things are fine  the  way t hey  are.   Is  there  a  problem  with  us  being friends?" Emonie shook her head.

 "No, there isn't. I see the two of you being more than friends, that's all. Allen could have any woman he wants. For the life of me, I can't figure out why he wants you. He's got to be crazy."