In Our Wildest Dreams

Sapphire's Date

"Sapphire! Your phone is ringing!" Erica said giddily.

With the way she reacted toward Alejandro, you would think he was her admirer.

I viewed the caller ID but hesitated.

"What is wrong?" Erica asked.

"Nothing. It's just call anxiety. I don't think I can answer."

"Really? I'll answer it for you,"

"No, wait—

Erica picked up the call and shoved it toward me.

"I hate you," I muttered.

"Hello?" Alejandro said on the other end.

"Hello, Sir,"

Erica began to motion to me with her arms, disapproving of me calling him Sir.

"This is the 21st century. Who calls a young man Sir?", she said in a hushed tone.

"Call me Alé,"

"Okay, Sir—Alé," I corrected.

Erica bent her head in shame.

"I hope you are okay?" I asked. "How is work?"

"Good. I will be done with a meeting soon. Would you like us to see?"

"Uh, you want us to see?" I repeated, glaring at Erica.
She nodded, bobbing her head with both thumbs up, and mouthed a yes.

"Okay," I replied

"I will have a rider come pick you up, that is, if it is okay for you,"

"I think that's okay,"

"Time?"

"Three o'clock,"

"Alright mi querida," he said and dropped the call.

I tossed my phone on the bed.

"What did he say?" Erica asked with enthusiasm.

"He wants us to see. Plus, he will have a rider come pick me up,"

Erica jumped in excitement.

"Perfect. Now, all you have to do is get dressed,"

"Will you come with me?" I asked.

"No, silly! It's a date. Not a get-together,"

I sighed.
"I know," I got up and went to the water dispenser.
A cup holder was next to it. The cup holder held a variety of cups—party cups, teacups, mugs, ice-cream cups—Erica had an obsession with cups.

"I don't think I'll be comfortable," I picked up a mug and put it in the dispenser. It filled my cup and I took a quick gulp.

I wasn't the guy expert.
Erica was. She had the zeal for these kinds of things.
To be honest, I had kept the matter of dating to be of importance when I was at the university.

Meeting Alejandro was unplanned.
I wasn't sure I would give him the time of day if Erica wasn't prodding me to.

Guys were distractions.

"Don't be overwhelmed. He seems like a nice guy," Erica suggested.

"All guys appear as nice guys," I implied.

"You're right. At this rate, you're going to ruin this date with this mindset and attitude of yours," Erica said running through her closet.
"This gown should look splendid on you," she brought forward a red knee-length gown.
It was flair at the end.

"With a little face beat, you'll be good to go. Makeup conflicts with your natural beauty, so this will be dashing for you," she said. "Let's start your face beat,"