Plan B

Chapter Four

By 1 a.m., only the most tenacious dancers were left on the floor, myself included. I didn't know if Daytonne was still here.  I had resolved to not look for her.  I didn't want to send the wrong message to either of us.

I was tired out and yearned for my comfy couch or bed. After an evening out, Jane and I always shared a pot of tea and chewed over any new gossip. I  could easily imagine at least one item that would be on her agenda tonight.

Sweaty and buzzing from the music and the alcohol we all headed to the exit, and out into the cool evening air. A voice came called my name from behind me. I knew who it was even before I turned around. Daytonne was leaning against the exterior of the club, hands in her pockets, a woman flanking her on either side.  I recognized one of them as the touchy feely girl from the juice bar. Daytonne broke rank from her friends and started towards me.

I looked over at Jane. 'Just give me a sec'. I stepped forward to avoid the others hearing us.

'Are you tired?', she asked

'No.' It was true. I didn't feel tired anymore. I felt energized.

'Let's go have a coffee and talk.'

I didn't know how to interpret this.  I knew in the hetero world that this likely
meant someone was interested but maybe in this one it was just an overture to hang out.  I shouldn't make an assumption and although she made me uncomfortable, I liked her.  Why shouldn't I go for coffee?

'Ok, sure.'

I turned back to Jane who had inched her way forward till she was at my shoulder. 'Jane, I will see you at home soon.' ' Do you have cab money?', she asked looking worried about more than just my way home.  'Yep. I will be fine.' I gave her a quick hug. As we embraced, she whispered, 'I don't know Daytonne that well but she is kind of tough and has had a lot of girlfriends.  Be careful with that heart of yours. ' 'It's not like that', I assured her. 'No need to worry.'  I had no expectation of anything awkward happening. Coffee shops were hallowed neutral ground.

I watched the cab leave with Jane and Franca. I had an urge to hail the cab back. Instead, I turned toward Daytonne. She smiled shyly. 'Let's go.' We started down Parliament street. 'Where do you want to go?', I asked cheerfully. I meant my tone to sound friendly and light, like two old pals hanging out together.

'My place is just down the street.'

My heart thumped. 'I thought we were going to get coffee?' I knew I sounded nervous. With a man I didn't know very well, I might be nervous about him hurting me.  With Daytonne, this wasn't it. The idea of being in her home, where there was no buffer just felt too intimate.

' We could look for a place but I don't think much is open right now. There is a Coffee Time at the corner but it is pretty seedy, especially at this hour.'

She turned the corner onto a residential street and stopped in front of a tall Victorian style home.'This is me', she said. She reached out and squeezed my hand for just a moment. 'You coming?' She said it like a dare - like we were teenagers urging one another on to skip class. I thought it through in much the same way. I had come this far, too far to go back it seemed. What propelled me was more exciting, though scary, than what held me back.

We climbed the narrow staircase to the third floor. 'My roommate may be sleeping so we have to be quiet', she said as we stood outside the door. She unlocked it, and turned on a light. I did a quick scan.   The living room was cozy and decorated with soft shades of gray, mauve and blue. I found it inviting.  I smiled at the contradiction.  I had expected it to feel more like Daytoone.... I expected minimalism in black, white and grey.