A Lesson Learned

Chapter 19- On My Own

A week later, Shelly found herself craving her favorite restaurant in Northern NJ, Houston's, so she decided to go during her lunch break. Naturally, she dragged Charles along, who had spent the first half of the day writing songs and smoking L's. The two were quickly seated, which was quite unusual during the restaurant's normally busy lunch hour, and ordered their usual appetizers, drinks, and entrees.

"Shelly, you know you are greedy as hell right?" Charles asked he watched her gobble down some ribs and shoestring fries.

"SHAT UP," She said before diving back into her plate.

"But seriously you're embarrassing me," He looked at her in disgust. "You got crumbs and sauce all over your face."

"Nigga I don't care, I already got a man and he sure ain't you." She said looking around as she boasted. "Besides I told you I was hungry."

Charles chuckled awkwardly and forced himself to look away, "Yeah, I see."

Shelly practically sucked the meat off the bones and even helped herself to a little of Charles's Hawaiian ribeye steak and baked potato.

"Damn girl, you sure was hungry! You skipped breakfast today or some shit?" He asked in concern.

"No, actually I had a good breakfast that Quincy made," She revealed smirking.

"Quincy?" Charles asked not recognizing the name.

"My boyfriend dummy!" Shelly frowned. "He made me this big, elaborate breakfast, I guess he was feeling real good about last night."

"Last night? What you did some freaky deeky shit?" Charles joked knowing his friend has a wild and kinky side much like him.

"Well of course I have to keep my man satisfied. But I also said yes," She responded.

"Said yes to what? What are you talking about?" Charles was confused.

"I said yes to his proposal!" She said toying with the revelation.

"Shelly what proposal?! You better be talking bout moving in with this dude." Charles warned almost getting up from the table, as he waited for Shelly's response.

"Well I guess that will have to happen soon. But you know what I'm talking bout. Quincy asked me to marry him last night." She finally said out into the open and then she proceeded to reveal the ring that she had been hiding all day on her finger.

"Oh my fucking god, you serious aren't you? Shelly you fucking with me right?" Charles questioned thinking he was being Punk'd.

"No and quiet down, you embarrassing me now," She began looking around as the onlookers in the restaurant. "I said yes, what's wrong with that?"

"Shelly you barely even know him. You've been dating what a little over two months?" Charles lowered his voice but maintained his shocked persona.

"Umm what's your point? I'm in love with him and he treats me better than even my daddy did. He's patient, supporting, he can't get enough of me, and he's not a bum. He will be able to give me everything I need and we make each other happy. Isn't that what matters?" She explained.

Charles looked at her with amassed confusion. He did not begin to fathom what had come over her and how good the dick had to be for to be talking this crazy shit.

"Shelly," he said slowly. "I really think you are rushing things. Try to understand that I am not hating on you but you need to seriously think over this rushed proposal over. You don't really know dude all that well, and if you really thinking about spending the rest of your life with him you need to at least remain engaged for like 6 months."