Little Steps of Faith

THE SECOND MEET

Twenty minutes, there I sat and no sign of her, that Heidi.
Already planned to wait for an hour after the scheduled time; ladies were almost always late.
Came early just in case she proved me wrong.
Looked up by mistake and there she was.
The dark-skinned beauty.
If I didn't see her jump when that driver sat on his horn I'd have thought the time-standing-still thing was an act.
Laughter was the only normal reaction.

Her delicate little pouts when she got to me made laugh harder.
"Okay, I'm sorry," I offered inconvincingly, "but that was a show I couldn't miss. Just doesn't come by too often."
I was ignored.
"On a more serious note, though, you came."
"No,"she responded with a roll of her eyes. "I sent my ghost to do the job for me. Can you tell the difference?"
I had to laugh again as I stood and held out a hand. "Good to see you."
She just patted my cheek and walked off in the direction of my friend's shop, leaving me to follow with a smile on my face.
SHE CAME.

# # #

This wasn't how the second meet was supposed to go. If it didn't get better it was gonna be a disaster. First I embarrassed myself in the middle of the road and we know I don't take teasing too well. Next the friend's bike wasn't available; we had to use a cab. Not that it was that bad but I rather enjoyed the ride last time. I was sulking most of the way there although I know it was petty and you didn't have control over it. But I managed to send my sister a text so she knew I was okay.
Anyway, the beach air and the sound of the waves did the magic. I was quite calm by the time we got to the shore.

"I see you're smiling again," you said. "I was beginning to think we were gonna have a silent conversation today."
Ignored, you asked as we walked on the beach in no particular direction, "Good week?"
"First things first," I said. "What is that name of yours?" And I wonder if laughter just comes naturally to you or you just happen to feel good about life when we meet.
"Well, we never did have a proper introduction," you recalled .
"Thank you."
"So I'll go first," you said.
"With pleasure."
"I'm Peter."
"Yeah, right. And I'm Heidi."
"Seriously. My name is Peter."
"Really?" I was sceptical.
"Yeah, really. It's just not on my birth cert." The dimples flashed.
"What is on your birth cert then?" I sigh.
"Lawrence Nana Ato Addai but occasionally I give permission for Larry."
"Okay, smartpants. Keep your permission; I prefer Lawrence. And my real name is Isabella."
You looked at me expectantly while I pretended not to notice.
"Isabella is a pretty name but don't you have, like a surname?"
"Actually, no. How did you know that?"
You didn't buy it. "Are you joking with me right now?"
"No, I'm not. My full name is Isabella Ewurabena Boatemaa. Choose whichever one you like to be the surname."
"Really?" Your eyes were popping out. "Are you serious? So what dyu write when filling forms where they ask for surname?"
"I leave it blank," I laughed. "But seriously, that's really all of my name."
Still skeptical, I could tell, but you dropped it.
"So Mr, Lawrence Addai, why don't you tell me about your week."
You were silent for a bit, gathering your thoughts, I think. And then you started "Well..." and shrugged, took two steps, turned around and asked: "So you really don't have a surname?"

* * *

It was a beautiful day. Literally and in other ways. We talked about each other, me mostly and fidgeting when there was a lull. Can't stand silence.

You were doing your MA in mass communication in Australia and here on a short vacation, visiting the family and volunteering at the community library. You loved to watch movies and hang out with friends. You liked to eat banku with okra stew and your favourite colour was red; second favourite, black. You were sandwiched between two sisters; the older was married and the younger was just finishing her degree. Your mom was an attorney and your dad had passed on six years ago; he was a pilot. You liked to make friends and you had a lot of them. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing.

By 7.00p.m I was shivering slightly and you asked if I wanted to go some place else. I was glad you didn't ask if I wanted to leave; definitely didn't want that but if you'd asked I know I'd have said yes or okay or something of the sort. When we stood I commented that this time you were dressed for the beach. I know you wanted to reply but you found nothing so say.
"I'm always dressed for the beach", I said with a laugh.
You wore a polo t shirt and burgundy shorts with slippers; coincidentally I had on shorts(only they were shorter than yours, obviously) and a tank top with a sweater -no, boyfriend jacket.

I don't quite remember what we were talking about, but I remember we weren't silent on the way back into town and we entered Makaria's for ice cream laughing.
You suggested a game. We played. We took turns saying one thing we knew about each other. It was good for me cos it was a good way to pry innocently as we were obliged to say if a statement was wrong and give the correct answer. But we weren't supposed to say what we already knew about each other.

It was my turn. "You... your favourite fruit is watermelon."
You squinted. "Well, I don't hate it but it isn't my favourite."
"Pineapple?" I tried again.
"Yeah, without the pine."
"Haha. Okay, your turn."
"You.... You.... You..."
"Hurry already", I prompted.
"Okay, okay. You are very impatient." I had to laugh at that.
"That was an easy one but cool. My turn. You like beautiful things."
"That's not fair," you said. "Everyone likes beautiful things."
"No, not everyone. It's just my luck that you happen to be one of those who do," I smiled sweetly. "Your turn."
You thought of what to say. "You like to eat sweet things."
"Oh come on! That's silly!"
"So was what you said before this," you defended.

...And we went on like that till about 9.00pm when I got a call from my mum. My sister told her I was out but she was worried.

So anyway, before we parted we agreed that the no communication thingy was crap and exchanged numbers. Yaaaaaaaayyyy!
And we made a deal; whoever texted first got to choose when next we met -no excuses- and whoever called first got to choose where. Sounded fair to me.

Gentleman that he was (I hoped), he declined when I made a half-hearted attempt to pay for the ice cream and got me cab, and lady that I am, I didn't decline when he attempted to pay, half-hearted or not.

"So Miss no-surname-Ohenewaa." You held the door open for me.
"Yes sir", I smiled and you laughed.
"Sir's a little old but anyway, it was nice seeing you again. And I look forward to seeing you again."
"Thank you, and back at you."
You wrinkled your eyebrows. "That was vague, but I'll take it."
"You don't really have a choice," I said as I entered the taxi.
"Yeah, true", you agreed with a chuckle and closed the door. "Stay safe."
I nodded. "You too."
And I liked how your eyes looked when you said that.

Next Up: AFTERWARDS