The Skin I'm In

8

Walking down to the salon with Pam. I couldn't stop thinking about the date on Wednesday with Dave. "Do you think you can help me with something tomorrow?" I asked her.

"Yes of course, What is it?"

"Can you make me look pretty tomorrow?"

A smile appeared on Pam's face. I could tell she was getting excited. "Okay," she tried to play it cool. "But why?" She asked.

"Well um" I couldn't tell Pam that I going on a date with a white man at least not right now. She would be disappointed and probably not even allow it. She's like a big sister to me. But I also can't lie to her.

"I have an important place to be at tomorrow, I need to dress nice and look professional" I didn't lie but I didn't tell the whole truth. 

"Are there gonna be cute guys there?" she asked with a smirk.

"Maybe" I replied.

"Ouuu I have the perfect sexy dress for you to wear," She thought about something for a minute. "Do you think  I can come too so I can help you, of course"

"No, I'll be fine"

"Hmmm okay" Pam said. We entered the Salon.

*********

We left the hair salon, the sky was darker than before. "My hands hurt" Pam complained.

My hands always be hurting but I guess I'm used to it now. "Put some ice on it when you get home" I suggested.

"Good idea. I'm very excited to dress you up tomorrow. Hmmmm" She stared at me with confusion.

"What?" I put my hand on my hip.

"red." was all she said.

"Red?" I questioned.

"yes, red will look good on you plus it makes the men go crazy when they see a woman in red."

I gave a small laugh.

"Ruby, you also need to practice walking with heels, it's important"

"Important? " I questioned

"yes, it makes you look more grown and sexy. I'm telling you they won't get their eyes off of you"

We stand by the bus stop waiting. "I've been thinking Pam, why haven't you gotten a man?"

"You know Ruby, it's hard to find the right one for me"

"What about William?" I asked.

"hmm I've known him for a long time but he doesn't seem to like me in that way, at least I think so"

"Maybe he's too scared to say he likes you because he doesn't want to lose you"

"Maybe. It makes sense" She said.

The bus came. We entered and sat at the colored section. "Pam, what would you like to be if you weren't working at the Salon?" I asked.

"I'd be a singer, probably singing with Ray Charles or maybe even dance with James Brown."

I smiled from hearing her dreams. I remembered Pam would always be the lead singer in the church choir, she would always have a solo. Her voice was something that needed to be heard, it was too good for her to keep it away.

We saw William get on the bus. "Well this must be fate" I joked.

She shoved me playfully smiling. His eyes looked at us. "Hey girls" he waved at us and sat to the seat next to us.

We waved back. I looked at the window and saw that it was my stop. I said goodbye to Pam and William and got up and left.

I started walking to my house when I saw Dave and Thomas throwing a ball at each other playfully. Thomas saw me and started to run towards me. "Ruby" He gave me a hug and I hugged him back. Dave started walking towards us.

"Hey! How was the game?" I asked.

"It was amazing!" He said in so much happiness. I smiled at his happiness.

Dave was now standing in front of me. I handed Thomas the keys. "Go inside," I told him. He ran to the house and open the door with the keys.

"Hi" He looked into my eyes.

"Hi" I replied while biting my lip from nervousness. My heart was anxiously beating fast. His eyes shifted down to my lips. I want to kiss him so I can feel his lips again. He gently cupped my chin and grabbed my waist so I could be closer to his body. His body scent smelled wonderful. He placed his lips gently on mine. We started kissing deeply. I feel the desperation in him, his grip tighten around my waist.

His kiss made me feel so weak. He stopped and hugged me. "I've missed your beautiful face and your smell" He laughed which made me smile because I feel the same way about him.

"Me too" I said smiling. He looked at me and kissed my head.

"I better go before it gets dark" he said. I realized we were outside, what if someone I know from church saw me?

"yea, it's getting late," we let each other go.

"I'll see you tomorrow, bye" He gave me a kiss on lips.

"bye" I said while waving my hands.

I entered the house. I put my jacket and purse down the chair. I entered my room and saw Thomas writing something in some journal. He turned to look at me and smile. "I like Dave"

I smiled from his words. It was good he had a male figure in his life. "Me too" I replied.