Many Chance Summer

Real Talk

      Jamaal calls me the next day. Thank the Lort! I wasn't sure what I'd do if he didn't. I wouldn't call him, obviously. Maybe if wait another day.

     "Hey, baby," he milks into the phone.

     "Is this a game to you? A joke?"

     "Wha-no-"

     "Going into this I made it so abundantly clear that I do not play games. I'm not those-"

      "Look, I know, I know." He sighs. Sighs! As if he has the right to get frustrated. "See? There you go again making assumptions. Let me explain."

     I want to scold him for talking to me like that but I bite my tongue. I have s quick temper. And I get very assumptions, I know this. My family has told me. My friends have told me. I've seen it. So u wait.

     "Hello-"

     "So explain."

     "Great. I'll be there at 1. Don't eat anything."

     This time Jamaal actually gives me enough room to get ready. I shower and put on minimal make up. The girls help me pick out a cute sheer top, some white shorts, and Caressa lets me wear her brow sandals. Thank God I have narrow feet from my mom. I have lots of African friends who have the widest feet I've ever seen in my life.

     "Erick...? Still no word?" I wonder out loud.

     "Nope. That scumbag," Kendra bluntly replies, helping me with my hair.

     A few minutes later, Jamaal texts that he's waiting for me outside.

     "Okay, you got this." Caressa reassures.

     "I know I do."

     "Call us or text if anything happens."

     "Yeah, we trust you."

     "Thanks guys." I give them big hugs and leave. I decide I don't want their escort, Kendra's in particular because she'll probably say something to Jamaal about our phone call yesterday and I don't need that awkward conversation.

"Hey." Jamaal's hands are in his pockets and he looks at me beaning. "Look, I'm so glad you agreed to this. You have no idea what this means to me."

I give him a small, courteous smile and walk to the other side of his car and get in. We drive to the area we were last week when he asked me to be more than his friend.

"Okay, so who is she?" I ask him as we walk.

Jamaal looks down at me, squinting from the blinding sun. It's exceptionally hot today, or maybe it's just me.

"She's Becca. R-Rebecca. My ex. We broke up a a little while after I met you. So...when I went to stalked you at Subway?"

"You had just broken up with Becca when you were pursuing me?"

Jamaal hesitates.

"You are making this too formal..." He sighs. "But yeah. I was."

"I understand why she was upset."

"You don't understand Becca, 'kay? She's fuckin' crazy."

"I got a hint of that yesterday."

"Yeah..."

"So, why was she there then? With you."

Jamaal runs a hand down his face, squishing his nose and lips.