Trial and Error

1

Noemi -
I thanked my Uber driver and got out of the car once he stopped at the Panera downtown

I rated him 5 stars for the great conversation and decided to refrain from tipping as I walked inside the restaurant, on my way to my friend

He was supposed to be waiting for me at a table

I found him in the back, on his laptop typing something

I went around and crept up behind him

" gotcha! " I shouted and grabbed his shoulders

He flenched and kissed his teeth " Fuck! I hate when you do that childish shit. " he shook his head in irritation

I busted out laughing and a few others who watched the show joined me

He turned his head to look at them all before looking at me and giving into a smile

I smiled big as I leaned over and gave him a hug and peck on the cheek

" hey darling " I joked

" Don't hey darling me, I've been here an hour waiting for your punk ass " he responded

I frowned " Why are you giving me so much attitude? " I fake whined " you know my car is in the shop and I'm running on Uber's time "

He nodded " Yeah. Let's talk about that, when is it going to be fixed? It's been in the shop for 7 years now! " he exaggerated

I laughed " it's been 5 months! And it's done..I just have to pay them the rest of the money to get it back " I smiled

He sighed " how much do you have left? "

" about $500 " I stated

He nodded " Hm, so..you're an hour late and you don't even offer to take our orders? " he judged me jokingly

I narrowed my eyes at him

" Beauty is time. Didn't your mother tell you not to rush a woman? " I crossed my arms in defense

He shook his head " She said my woman..and last time I checked I ain't cuff you. "

I kicked him under the table

He grunted and instinctively rubbed his leg

" You know..I'll go take our order David but just know that it's not because you think I should. I'm doing it from the kindness of my heart. Okay? " I clarified

" Yeah, sure. Whatever it takes for you to take the order man. " he said

I left David at the table and walked to the counter to order

Just as I approached the counter, a customer had left

Lucky me

" Hello ma'am, may I take your order? " the young girl asked

" Yes. " I answered before ordering David and I's usual for this place

She told me to where to pick up the food and I knew it would be a minute so I took a seat

" We've gotta wait a sec. Uh, so what are you doing right now on this computer? " I asked as I pulled the screen down to see from my side of the table

" I'm looking at apartments to rent. I told you I need to find a place. " he reminded me

" Oh yeah! Lemme see. " I got up and walked around the table to sit beside him

He adjusted the screen and started scrolling

I pointed out places I thought he should click and find out more

He called a place while I went to see if the food was ready

It was, so I brought a tray with our food on it to the table

I moved back across the table " Aye! you gotta finish tellin me about that girl " I said in between bites

He took a sip of his lemonade " What girl? "

I took a sip " Nicki " I grabbed a napkin to wipe up some of the mess I made as I waited for him to tell the story

His face kind lightened up and it looked like he wanted to laugh

" what! " I questioned, wanting him to spit it out

" Nicki. Beautiful. Great body. Great chemistry..but we got to her house, as soon as she opened the door a little kid came running up and tugging on her saying 'mommy!' " he shook his head as he ate a spoonful of soup

My jaw dropped then I looked at him seriously

" Wait so- you dropped her because she was a mom? " I asked and took another bite of my sandwich

He nodded while chewing on some of his bread

" Wow, that's creep. " I shook my head in disapproval

He gawked his head " seriously? I'm not messed up for not wanting to be a step-dad. I'm not even dad material, what I look like being a dad to a kid that's not even mine? "

" You really liked her. And so did I, you guys were a match. "

" Yeah but me and baby daddies aren't a match.. I didn't wanna waste her time so I just let her know upfront. " he said

David and me finished eating and talked a lot more about a lot of other things but eventually we both had to leave

I stayed in the city and went to the mall which was right across the street

I needed a new makeup palette and facial toner as well because.. well, because haha!

I walked downstairs for a bit, passing stores I was giving the chance to catch my attention but none of them succeeded

I went up the escalator and into Sephora that was inside of JC Penny's

I looked really basic but I got a few glances from quite a few young men. None approached me, unfortunately.

I did my thing in the mall for an hour then got an Uber home to drop off my things

Another friend of mine should be coming over in 2 hours. We're going to a volunteer event together. It's for Breast cancer.

My weekends are usually pretty filled up. Even when they aren't, I'll make them full with plans.