Divine Timing

Buttah

"Who was that?!" Sasha asked with excitement as we got back in the car from the gym.

"Nobody, I saw him at the gas station one day." Buttah said calmly and cut the AC on in the car.

"Don't even try to play it cool. I know you really like him. I saw how you were looking at him. He is fine! Whew chile, but Chase is hot!" Sasha smiled and sat back in her seat.

"Well, I don't want to get my hopes up and put myself in another painful situation. But, yes he is indeed fine, but I'm going to chill and see what happens." Buttah said smiling.

"Yeah right, you already looked at your phone 3 times since you gave him your number." Sasha started laughing and Buttah couldn't help but join in the laughter.

Buzzzz! Buttah's alarm was going off. She hit the snooze for the 3rd time. It was a regular Monday morning. Buttah would see her dad every other Monday, at an assistant living facility. Her dad (Bobby) was consistently in her life, but he had given her tough love, which didn't feel like love at all. His time with her felt more like an obligation. Although, Buttah was never close with her dad; she made sure he was in a nice assistant living facility that she paid for. After Sandy told Bobby about Buttah, it ruined their friendship. It didn't bother Sandy, because she was too independent to be in a relationship. Buttah was her only child, and Sandy lived alone and happy doing what she loves, interior design.

Buttah walked in the assistant living facility with a breakfast plate for her dad.

"Hi dad!" Buttah walked in his room.

Bobby was 75 years old, but he looked more like he was in his 50's. He's 10 years younger than her mom, with caramel brown skin and curly hair. His skin is blemish free, and he has deep dimples in both cheeks. He was tall, 6'5, which is where Buttah's children got their height from. Bobby was a lady's man. He had 2 other kids by 2 different women, and gave his other kids so much love and affection. He's in an assistant living facility, because he fell and broke his hip last year. Buttah felt it would be better for him to be somewhere he could get help faster.

"Hey Buttah! You got me breakfast!" Bobby said reaching his arms out for the food.

"What's going on dad?" Buttah said as she sat on the side of the bed.

"Nothing much, the physical therapist just left.
I'm moving around better today." Bobby said as he started to eat the pancakes and bacon.

"Dad, my therapist..." Buttah said before Bobby cut her off.

Therapist?" Bobby asked frowning.

"Yes, I've been seeing a therapist for a year now since my divorce. She's been really helpful, and she felt that I should talk to you..." Buttah said but was abruptly cut off by Bobby.

"I don't need no damn therapist; I'm not crazy." Bobby said defensively.

"It's not about you dad, it's me. I've been trying to heal myself from my childhood trauma. Please just let me talk, because this is hard for me. I know that it will be best for me to get it out for my healing." Buttah said with tears in her eyes.

Bobby stopped eating and sat back in his chair.

"Dad, when I was growing up, and we spent time together. I always thought you were mad at me. I felt like you enjoyed your other kids more, because you hugged them and smiled. I wanted you to love me like that too.  When I got first place at my track meet you just had a stone face. When I graduated from high school and college, you didn't come to my graduation. Kelly and Shanice, ( Buttah stepsisters) made sure I knew that you were present at their graduation. When I fell right in front of you, and fractured my wrist, you didn't even help me up. Dad, why? What did I do? The only reason I ran track was because you wanted me too." Buttah sobbed looking at the floor.

"You were good at track. You were the fastest. You were the strongest mentally and physically. But your other two stepsisters were not Buttah. No, I didn't clap for you, because I expected for you to be good in everything and you were." Bobby said looking away from Buttah.

"Thank you dad and I'm glad to hear that I met your expectations, I never knew that. I needed for you to clap for me, because I saw you clap for everybody else." Buttah said wiping her tears.

"Thank you for choosing to be involved in my life. I love you dad." Buttah kissed him on the forehead and left.

Bobby kept his head turned away as Buttah walked out.

"Great job everybody! See you all Saturday morning!" Buttah said as she wiped the sweat from her forehead.

Buttah taught hip hop dance aerobics at Fitness Connection on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday every week. Buttah only worked 4 hours a day Monday through Friday, 1pm-5pm. Her hip hop dance aerobic classes started at 6pm on Monday and Wednesday, 8am on Saturday's. Everyone loved going to her classes, because she had high energy and positive vibes. Her dancing style was similar to Ciara Wilson.

"Hi Miss Buttah!" Kandie walked up to Buttah and gave her a big hug.

"Hi Kandie! Good to see you today!" Buttah said smiling.

Kandie was 21 years old and one of Buttah's biggest fans. She attended all of her classes and occasionally got advice about how to deal with men. Kandie's dad passed away 6 months ago from Covid. Buttah has been a great support person for her.

"I'm doing great! I need your help with a hip hop dance routine. I'm taking hip hop dance this summer for school, and have to complete a routine as my final exam grade. I have 4 weeks to come up with something; my teacher is hardcore. Do you give private dance lessons?" Kandie asked.

Kandie attended UTA, majoring in theater arts. Her dad was very supportive and encouraged her to follow her passion. Kandie's mom and dad divorced 10 years ago; she was heartbroken, because she was a daddy's girl. She lived with her dad, and would have visitations with her mom. Since her dad passed away, she moved in with her mom, and it hasn't been the best experience for her. Now that her uncle was in town she could make excuses to not be around her mom when she wasn't at school. Her mom did not approve of her dancing, and felt that she should be a doctor or lawyer.

"I don't give private dance lessons, but I can help you after class on Wednesday and Saturday. Would that work for you?" Buttah asked with a smile.

"Yes! Thank you so much Miss Buttah!" Kandie said with excitement.

"You can just call me Buttah and you're welcome. See you Saturday." Buttah said softly.

"Yes, ma'am!" Kandie walked away excited knowing that she was going to enjoy dancing with Buttah after class.

"Girl, why did you go that low you know my knees bad?!" Sasha asked as she limped to Buttah.

"You know how I get down Sasha. You don't normally come to my classes anyway." Buttah said laughing.

"Well, I'm trying to lose weight and get my life together." Sasha said as she sat next to Buttah on the dance stage.

"Have you heard from that guy; what's his name?"Sasha asked with curiosity.

"Bless. Nope, it's been 3 weeks and I haven't heard anything. Maybe it's not meant to be." Buttah said and shrugged her shoulders.

"Let's go get something to eat." Sasha said jumping up to leave.

"Yes indeed! I burned 800 calories in 1 hour. I'm hungry." Buttah said walking next to Sasha.

"Hi beautiful! You are looking nice today." The gym manager said.

"Thank you Mike! I'm headed out for today." Buttah said as her and Sasha walked passed him.

Mike was tall, 6'0, stocky build with dark chocolate skin. He looks like Idris Elba.

"Girl, how many men do you have?" Sasha asked with wide eyes.

"He's not my man and you know I'm single. Mike is the manager at Fitness Connection. He's always nice and speaks when he sees me." Buttah said nonchalantly.

"Oh he nice alright and he's watching you walk away. Dang, he fine too! Whew chile! You got options!" Sasha said as she looked back at Mike.

"Yeah, but I choose myself first." Buttah said softly as she got in the car.