Sade's Return

VIII

I show up at the Art Factory with newfound confidence. I walk past the receptionist area and see there's no one there, next to the area is Jack's office. I see that it's closed but I can hear voices coming from within. 'So he's here today'. When I get to the painting room I hear the slamming of a door. Turning my head I can see the girl with the pixie cut from the Chinese Restaurant run out of Jack's office. I guess he notices me looking because he turns to see me but I quickly walk into the room.

The students that are there give me a funny look but I just shrug, they go back to whatever they're doing and I take my sketchbook and pencils out to start working on my drawing. I'm just not feeling it today, I guess so I just sketch some random objects I see in the room. By the time I've finished, I look up and notice that everyone is gone and I'm on my own. I put all of my stuff in my backpack and head out. I see Jack at the receptionist desk, without breaking eye contact he gets up and walks over to me.

  "We should talk about the other day," he says.

  "Alright go-ahead."

  "Here? We can go get coffee, I know a nice place." he tries to convince me.

  "No, right here, right now is fine."
I put my hand on my hips. Not sure why I'm doing this probably a nervous tick.

  He sighs, "Okay she's my ex-girlfriend. I went to dinner with her because I thought we could be friends. I was there to let her know I paid and was leaving; but who knew she heard me and caused this misunderstanding between us. She appeared today because she was upset that I was seeing someone but I told her she wasn't my girlfriend and ran off."

  "Yeah there's seems to be a lot of misunderstandings occurring ever since we met." I relax my hands. "Are you seeing someone?" I tense up again.

  He notices and smiles a little. He says "No, I'm not but who knows? Perhaps I might start seeing someone soon."

  I roll my eyes. I laugh. "Okay, Mr. Casanova slow down."

  "So what about dinner? You and me on Saturday?" He wiggles his eyebrows.

  I sigh. "I can't do this Saturday, next Saturday I'm free."

"Alright sounds good to me. Would you like a ride home?" he turns to grabs his keys.

  I nod my head and pull my backpack closer to myself. He drives a brand new Lexus and I'm enjoying the smooth ride and the comfortable seating. We haven't spoken but it's comfortable just listening to The Beatles and enjoying each other's company. I tell him not to feel shocked when he sees my neighborhood because the grittiness usually freaks guys out. I always wondered why it mattered where I lived. As long as you're getting laid does it really matter where your girlfriend lives?

  "I don't think I will. If it was so bad I doubt I'd see you at the Art Factory," he tells me as we pull up to my building.

  I look at his face searching for disgust or disapproval. But I don't see it. I'm surprised. He hasn't even asked me why I live here. I'm surprised by the lack of his reaction. Actually, I'm pleased and I want to bring him to my apartment to see his reaction but that's too soon. I was letting my sexually frustrated self get to me. I inwardly slap myself back to reality.

"Well, it looks like an apartment building you would see in the city if you didn't have a million dollars and I doubt either of us have that amount." He asserts

Smiling I ask "Are you going to the Art Factory tomorrow?"

"Of course I am," he answers with a smile.

"So I will see you tomorrow" I get out of his car and shut the door. He waves at me and I wave back. I pull my backpack tightly and smile as I enter the building.

The grandmas are there gossiping and laughing by the elevator. One exclaims "The elevator is working sweetheart."

I nod and press the button for my floor. I jump as the elevator opens. I see Ronny making out with some lady. I roll my eyes and clear my throat. I wave my hand. "Ronny, hey, you're at the lobby." Ronny looks at me with squinty eyes and walks out of the elevator with the lady following after adjusting her clothes. I walk into the elevator and I'm so over the moon ecstatic. If he has a girlfriend I can cancel our date and just pay the 200 dollars back.

I walk into my apartment and decide to warm up a pizza. While I do that I changed into pajamas and watch some tv. By the time I'm finished searching for something to watch the pizza is ready. I forget about watching tv, eat my pizza then go to my room. I sit on my bed and dump all the contents of my backpack out.

Pushing everything off the bed except the sketchbook and pencils I start to sketch random things again. I'm suffering from a major block to my creativity. Big time. I lay back on the bed and my head hits the pillow. I'm out like a light.

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