The Question of Him

sold!

It's almost 7:30 and I'm sitting outside the event hall, looking at myself in the rear view mirror. It's been a while since I dressed up like this and I'm somewhat feeling a little self conscious. Tessa gushed over my dress when I dropped Amiyah off so that calmed me a little.

Just go inside. Don't think about it.

I finally got the nerve to get out and quickly go inside before I change my mind. "Can I take your coat ma'am?" A teenager dressed in server clothes asked. "Yes, thank you." He helped me out of it and ushered me further inside, out of the foyer. He also didn't let me go without mentioning how good I look.

I blushed and held my clutch as I walked inside. It was crowded to say the least. Some people were up dancing to the live music and others were seated at tables talking amongst themselves. I looked around trying to find someone familiar. It was really hopeless. I walked over to an empty table and sat down. "Champagne ma'am?" Another server asked. I nodded and took a glass.

"Aahh, look who finally showed up!" Briana came up behind me. "Glad you could make it!" I got up and gave her a hug. "Glad to be here. It's pretty packed."

"I know right? Everyone really wants to keep the programs going. Come on, let me introduce you to some people."

Some people ended up being probably a dozen. Briana wasn't lying when she said most of the people here were teachers and parents. I ended up talking to them for most of the night and even ran into Denise.

How big is Minneapolis again?

Briana was surprised we knew each other and insisted that we all hang out one day. "My husband is around here somewhere. You know everyone wants to talk to him."

"Don't I know it! But I'm about to start the bidding and then we'll serve dinner."

"Okay! I'm kind of excited and nervous. Let's get in line together." Denise suggests and grabs my hand. I'm a little surprised but nonetheless happy that she's such a nice person. I could never hurt a woman like this. This made me realize that I didn't need to take the job. I couldn't put myself in that situation again.

We go up to the side of the stage where other women have started making a line.

"Ladies and gentlemen settle down. Thank you all for coming and I hope you're having a great time. But now is the moment all the men have been waiting for. I know the husbands will bid for their wives, however. Single men, don't be afraid to really go at it for the single women up here. It's all for charity!"

There's applause and a few whistles heard from the crowd. "Okay now, if all the ladies are lined up we will begin." She moves to the podium as soft music starts playing again. The biding starts as the first woman walks on stage. "All the way from Saint Paul, Jessica is a 31 year old junior high teacher that plays fifteen instruments and is fluent in French, Spanish, Japanese and Greek."

Denise and I bust out laughing at how dramatic she is being. Of course most of the talents she's going to list off are lies but they're still funny. She tells me she told Briana to say she hadn't shaved her legs in a decade and I could not wait for the crowds reaction. There were six people in front of us and when it was Denise's turn I sort of got nervous knowing Mr. Nelson was going to show up for his wife. "I'll find you after the bidding is over, I want to introduce you to my husband." And like that she sashayed out as confident as ever.

"Right here from Minneapolis, Denise Matthews-Taylor is a theology professor at the community college, a minister and a two time gold medalist swimmer. She tap dances, sings, and hasn't shaved her legs in ten years but that hasn't slowed her down in the water!"

The crowd dies of laughter and applause. I catch the tears in my eyes before they can ruin my eyeliner and try to stop laughing.

"Now who wants to start the bidding?"

"Two hundred!" A man yells. "Two hundred dollars? Not for a gold medalist!" Briana fires back.

"500!"

This goes on for a few minutes and I'm guessing they're just trying to drive up the price before Mr. Nelson bids but he never does. "Three thousand dollars!" A man walks up from the other side of the stage. He's tall and noticeably buff with a buzz cut and dark caramel skin. He smiles showing off his pearly whites and most of the women in the room swoon. Damn. Now that's a man.

"Three thousand going once, going twice..sold! To Kevin Taylor. Come get your wife sir!"

My jaw almost hit the floor. Whaaat? He grabs her up bridal style as the crowd cheers. Before I could think anything else, I was told to go so I mustered up my shock and tried to walk on as confidently as I could.

"Born in Chicago but raised in Minne, Phara Camille is the executive designer of Wave Magazine. She plays clarinet, flute and is fluent in French. She's also a Pulitzer Prize winner with four published novels on the New York Times Best Sellers list. Now who would like to start the bidding?"

"500!"

"1,000!"

"1500!"

This is actually entertaining while I watch. I'm sure it won't get pass 3,000-

"5,000." A voice says in between bids. For the second time that night my jaw almost hit the floor. "Going once, going twice, sold!"

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oops 😬

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