Rose's Dating Dilemma

Rose Chooses Her Man

Seven o’clock hit, and we were all ready to walk on over to Rose’s place. We  had no idea what to expect, we were all excited to know who she picked for her date tonight. I knocked on her door moving meatballs away from the door gently with my foot. 

“Does that cat always lay by her door?’ Mark asked

“He always hangs out on her porch a lot I think.” I told him.

Rose opens the door, she looks really pretty, she’s still wearing her black dress, and she had a little more make up on. We walk in and there are two men sitting at the table. My first thought was whaaat? Mark looked at me with his eyes widened. I knew exactly what he meant. Obviously he agreed with my first gut reaction. Whaat? 

Stephanie looked at me like she wanted to bust out laughing. I gave her a serious don’t-you-dare look. Johnny seemed like he was just taking it all in. Powder Puff was on Mr Gonzales lap chilling out. Mr Gonzales was petting her ears. The other dude who apparently didn’t get hit by any ugly stick was eating a piece of corn bread smiling. 

I walked up to Rose and gently dragged her to the kitchen for a word. She was acting like she didn’t want to go because she was having to much fun. However, she finally went.

“What is going on?” I asked her with a high pitch voice that I apparently use when I’m freaking out that my older friend is maybe acting a little trampish.

“Everything is fine, I told them I like em both, and that my cat Powder Puff will know which one of them would be right for me.”

“You what?” I almost lost my voice trying to scream whisper.

“Its okay they understand. They don’t mind, there being such gentlemen about it.” 

“Rose this is totally inappropriate. And I can’t stress enough how inappropriate it is. Because, well because it is.” I reasoned.

“Listen here youngen. I know you helped me get brave enough to ask them fellers out there to dinner. This is how I and they want to do it. And that is how it will be.” Rose crossed her arms like she was mad at me. 

I thought maybe Rose had lost it. I thought how maybe I was losing it too. I just couldn’t wrap my head around her actually telling them both she liked them. And them being okay with it. 

“Okay Rose if this is how you want to handle things. Its your life.” I told her in a serious tone.

“Don’t take that tone with me. I’ve seen how you younger’s these days live. Ya’ll live together before marriage, ya’ll have babies with friends. Ya’ll love more than one person. Have threesomes, foursomes I guess anything goes with you youngens. So I think I can do things the way I want too.” 

“That is true Rose you can.” I told her in my most mature voice, without any negative or sarcastic tones.

I went back into the dinning room. Powder Puff was still chilling in Mr Gonzales lap. Mark, Stephanie, and Johnny were sitting in the living room. Rose walks back in and offers all of us some wine or beer. Mark and Johnny have a beer. Stephanie and I had a glass of wine. After everything I really needed a glass. 

“Lets all grab a bowl. I have garlic bread here, or crackers and corn bread. And lets sit in the living room.”

We all grabbed a ready made bowl of chili and sides and went to sit in the living room. Some of us sat on the floor, some on the couch and chairs. Rose took a big bite and smiled over at the guy who was supposed to be ugly.

“So Randy how does it taste?” She asked him.

“I’m sorry my name is Raymond.” He corrected her.

“Oh sorry about that.” She apologized.

“So what do you do Rose besides make delicious and hot food.” Raymond asked coughing as if the food was to spicy.

“I like to garden, take care of cats, dance. Um” 

“Yes cats. Why so many, you have like a million cats?” He asked intrigued.

“What happened was I started with one cat. Then I ended up with another one. Then I took in a couple of strays then the rest just happened. It’s like I just couldn’t turn them away.”

“You know Rose, I can help you find homes for these cats. The people in this neighborhood call you the cat lady, I’m sure you’ve heard them.” 

“Yes indeed I heard them heffers calling me all kinda names.”

“I can help you. Let me find homes for all these cats. And you won’t have to worry about it anymore.”

“Now listen here Randy.”

“Its Raymond.” He corrected her.

“Whatever, I am never getting rid of these here kitties cause they love me. And they need me. And I need them.” Rose told him staring at him.

We all  just stopped eating. Not only was the chili hot. The conversation was getting pretty heated. I was thinking that any minute Rose was going to throw this guy out on his butt, if he kept on about her cats. Rose loves her cats more than any possible boyfriend. Any dude that wants to get with Rose has to love her cats too. 

“You need help. I thought that I could reason with you and help you, but now I see your just bat shit crazy” Raymond said standing up.

“Don’t talk to Rose that way!!.” I stood up. 

“Sit down Molly he don’t understand love.” Rose told me.

“Problema?” Mr Gonzales asked.

“No problema.” Rose smiled at him.

“Your chili is too hot, and spicy. You put to much spice, obviously you don’t know when your over doing something. You need to learn when enough is enough Rose.” Raymond commented as he left.

“Yes I do, I’ve had enough of you.” Rose told Raymond.

Rose turned to look at Mr Gonzales he gave her a smile. Powder Puff was still in his lap. I could see that Powder Puff  knew all along that Mr Gonzales was a keeper. 

“So what do you think about Mr Gonzales?” I asked Rose privately.

“He is my Spanish Prince.” She smiled.

“Aw sweet.” I smiled.

“Him loco.” Mr Gonzales replied obviously talking about Raymond.

“Yes he certainly is.” Rose agreed.

We watched Rose and Mr Gonzales laugh and enjoy their meal together. Sometimes feeding each other. It was sweet and romantic. 

“They look sweet together.” Mark said nudging me.

“Yes I’m happy for them.” I told Mark.

Mark leaned in and kissed me.

“What is that for?” I giggled.

“Because I love you. And because you such a sweet friend to Rose.” Mark smiled.

“Aw thanks sweety.” 

“Thank you kids for coming over for dinner.” Rose told us. I could see she was trying to get rid of us.  We took the hint and told them both Goodbye. Stephanie grabbed Powder Puff practically prying her off Mr Gonzales lap. And we went back to our apartment. 

“I think we found out Raymond doesn’t like cats.” Stephanie laughed.

“He also doesn’t like her chili either.” Johnny replied.

“We also found out Rose likes Mr Gonzales.” 

“This should get interesting.” Mark giggled.

End.