Not A Phase

CHAPTER 14

ASANTE

I am sweating like crazy. I have never been this nervous about conversing with a girl after my first girlfriend. What does one talk to with a pre-teenager? Ow hi, what do you enjoy doing? What toys do you like? Isn’t she too old for toys though? I should ask my friend, Bulo, who has a niece. She will surely give me sensible advice. I dial her number while sitting on my car outside Lisa’s school. We agreed that I would pick her up after school and then take her home to change before exploring the day. Bulo takes her precious time to answer.

“Yoh, you’re still alive? I thought you were dead somewhere in a ditch.” I roll my eyes. For a butch, she can be very dramatic.
“I forgot that you existed. It happens very often when you don’t check on your friend.”

She laughs. “I saw Jane a while back looking like a white hobo.”
I smile, shaking my head. “She is white.” I point out the obvious.
“Yeah but she looked lost and I only remember her looking like that when you dumped her. What’s up? Got a new piece of ass you’re hitting?”

“My woman is no piece of ass. She is a full package and a goddess. Maybe I can set up a meeting one of these days if you promise to behave yourself.”
She whistles. “Damn, sounds like you’re whipped. Anyways, why did you call me?”

Ohh, that. “Straight to the point. Okay then. What do eleven year olds enjoy doing?” Bulo abruptly ends the call and just as I am frowning at her actions, she video calls me. I answer it and she roars in laughter.

“Man, you bagged a single mother?” I rolled my eyes.
“I only asked about what eleven year olds enjoy doing, I didn’t mention a mother. Now why are you talking about a single mother?”

“Because you’re not a kids’ person. Either you’re trying to impress the mother or you’re trying to impress the mother. Which one is it?” God I hate it when she makes it seem like I have the easy way out whereas there isn’t.
“You are going to meet my woman soon and I will answer all your questions. For now answer my question.”

She smirks. “Is she good? How juicy is her pussy? Does she returns the pleasure?” her silly question makes me drift to the passionate sex we had on Sunday night. Fuck, Thingo has that fire, that hot sex that makes men or women go crazy. “Ooo, I am right. She does satisfy you. Well I need to meet this woman and shake her hand or even bow to her.”
“If you don’t fuckin advise me as to what pre-teen girls enjoy doing, you might not meet her at all.”

She rolls her eyes. “Fine. First, they are called tweens. Maybe you can get her a Go Glam Nail Stamper. I know someone who sells them. I can hook you up.” what the fuck is that? “You guys can come do some indoor rock climbing at my gym. I will personally reserve a spot for you. What is her ideal sport? Netball? Hockey?”
“Soccer. She is a striker.”

“You guys even have some things in common already. After the rock climbing, you can grab lunch and maybe on another buy her tickets to a soccer match.”
“Cool. Thanks man. See you in less than an hour.” She frowns.
“What the hell are you on about?”

“I am taking her out today. I will be at your gym in less than an hour.” I hang up before she can react, just in time to see Lisa looking around the parking lot, probably for my car.

I climb off and walk towards her. As I am approaching, a young girl comes to stand next to her. They laugh about something before the girl spots me. She frowns.

“Can we help you?” she asks in a little voice. Damn, this one will grow up to be a firecracker.
Lisa looks at me and smiles. She then turns to her friend. “This is Asante, the friend I told you about.” She hands me her bags before turning again to hug her friend. “See you tomorrow.”
“Bye.” The friend leaves and Lisa smiles at me.

“Which one is your car?” she is exactly how I remember her. Carefree, open and a bit humble. I lead her to my car and open the passenger door for her. She slides inside gracefully and I close it. I place her bags in the backseat and climb into my seat before driving off. “Your car is nice and beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Okay. How does one start a conversation?
“How did mom get your number? I know you guys don’t know each other that well. I also know that she will do anything to see me happy. So how?”

This child is very opinionative and she doesn’t seem to care about speaking up. “I am a regular client at her work, so at some point we exchanged numbers.” She nods.

“What would you like to know about me?” she asks a straight forward question and as much as I wanna know, I want to surprise her today. Maybe we can do what I know she likes next time.

“What soccer team do you support?” she giggles.
“For males, it’s Mamelodi Sundowns and for the ladies team, it’s Bloemfontein Celtic.” I nod, impressed by this.

“Have you ever seen either or both teams playing live?” she shakes her head. “Maybe I can get you tickets and we can go with your mother to watch the next time they are playing.” She smiles widely.
“That would be really cool. Of course, mom would have to be off work but I am sure she would make a plan.”

Is it too early to declare my love for her? This child is too mature for her age but the way she carries herself, you can see that she has a humble mother who has instilled respect and Ubuntu in her from a young age.

…
As we draw nearer to Bulo’s gym, Lisa gives me an inquisitive glare. I chuckle. This child is too curious.

“Have you ever done indoor rock climbing before?” I ask and she smiles widely before shaking her head.
“Mom is scared of heights so I think her heart would stop if she were to see me climbing.”
“You think she would kill me for taking you indoor rock climbing?” she laughs.

“She would’ve murdered you if she were here. A video or photo isn’t scary. The actual place scares her.” I nod and store that information at the back of my head. I know that when planning a weekend getaway for my woman, hiking or sky diving or any activity that involves heights. Befriending Lisa is going to help me a lot.

“What else doesn’t your mother enjoy?” I surf out information and her nose twitches before speaking again.
“She doesn’t necessarily loves sea food. She just tolerates it. She also prefers water over any drink. Well other things, you will have to ask her yourself.”
I smile. “I will do so.”

We get to Bulo’s gym and we both climb off the car. We head inside and I immediately spot Bulo near the help desk flirting with some lady. Her wife always goes through the worst. I may not be the best lover but I never cheat on my women.

“BULO!” I call out her name and she turns with a smirk on her face but it is immediately replaced with a genuine smile when her eyes land on Lisa.

“And who do we have here?” she asks making her way to us. She stands in front of Lisa.
“Hello. I am Anelisa and I am Asante’s new friend.” She answers with a smile.
“Well I am also Asante’s friend and my name is Bulo.”
“What does your name mean?” Lisa asks innocently.

“I am Nombulelo in full but my friends started calling me Bulo in school and I just went with it.” Lisa nods.
“Cool name by the way.” She comments before walking towards the kids’ section.
“A remarkable young lady you have here.” Bulo states as we follow Lisa.
“She is, indeed.”

They get to the indoor rock climbing set up and Lisa shrieks. She is hoping from foot to foot. You can see that her excitement is barely containable. I take a short video of her but don’t send it to Thingo. I will forward the videos and pictures once I am out of here because I know she will freak out about this when she finds out and she would want to cut Lisa’s fun short.

“I am ready.” Lisa squeals. I didn’t even realize they were dressing her up with the necessary equipment. “Please take a video.” She states, looking at me.

“Don’t worry, princess.” She smiles before starting her journey. She looks like someone who has done this before. Before I know it, she is at the top, waving at me. I smile and wave back. I wonder what her reaction would be like when she finds out that I am dating her mother.