Page 10 of Broken By It

Umm … he’s not wrong, but what can I say back to that. We sit in silence a few more moments but thankfully arrive at the new place quickly.

“Sit tight,” he tells me before getting out and rounding his car to open my door. At least he’s trying to do the traditional gentlemen things.

We enter the small shop in the strip mall. The walls are painted in pastel pink and green with a glass display and a bar with old school diner style stools in front of it. Johnathon leads me to a booth in the back rather than to the counter to order. I find it odd but decide to roll with how this goes.

My last date said I had too much masculine energy and didn’t know how to let a man be a man. Maybe this is what I’m supposed to do, release control.

Although, I wonder how he knows what I want to eat.

Taking my seat, I wait for him to come back over and I’m a little shocked when he takes a seat beside me, essentially trapping me in the booth.

He places the banana split boat in front of us, along with the cup of water with two straws.

“I don’t eat pineapple,” he explains, “I had them give us two chocolates instead.”

I nod unsure what to say as he hands me a spoon. Rather than dive in, I reach for the glass.

“The shorter straw is yours,” he states taking a spoonful of the ice-cream. “Water is free here, but only one cup. Your straw is the shorter one.”

I nod taking a sip. What in the world have I gotten into? I contemplate getting my own order, when he slurps the vanilla treat from his spoon into his mouth.

Immediately, my stomach churns from the noise. How old is this man to slurp his food? Not that I was turned on to begin with, but with every passing moment, I am ready to get home.

He continues to eat not noticing that I haven’t had a single bite. He finishes in silence before taking the drink and making sure he sucks down every drop to the point that the straw makes the obnoxious noise of an empty glass.

After he slides from the booth and stands, I follow suit, thankful that this is another moment closer to home and pajamas. When he takes me by the hand to leave, I am beyond ready. “I bought the meal; you have the tip?” He asks gesturing for me to leave cash on the table.

Tip for what? We didn’t get table service. Rather than drag things on more, I reach in my purse, grabbing my wallet, and tossing down a five-dollar bill. Then he guides me out and to his car.

“Would you like to walk on the beach? It’s free parking after dark.”

“As nice as that sounds, I have to work in the morning. I’m opening the office.” He doesn’t seem disappointed, just nods as we take off.

Pulling into the parking lot of the condo complex, I resist the urge to jump from the car. When he comes around and opens the door to let me out, he only gives me enough room to stand. Pinned between him and the car, I feel the panic rising.

“I had a good time,” he says barely above a whisper.

I nod but don’t speak.

Is he going to kiss me? This is the worst first date in the history of my first dates. I don’t want to kiss him. I want to forget he exists. The thoughts about getting inside race as his head dips closer to me.

Turning, I give him my cheek.

“Can I take you out again sometime?” he asks.

Before I can reply, I hear footsteps. I look over to see Anna coming with Hollis at her heels.

“Maritza, thank God! I tried to call. I can’t do it. I have the biggest headache. I need you to take him.”

Using this chance, I press my hands to Johnathon’s chest pushing him away to get space. Having the reprieve, I make my way to little Hollis who now takes off in a run to me. “Zizi,” he calls out with his hands in the air for me to swing him around. We’ve done this since he started walking.

“What’s wrong, Anna?” I ask, “where is Dillon?”

She looks to the sky. “He’s on a run, he says. Who knows. He left me to raise our kid alone. I can’t get Hollis to stop running around the house making messes and I have a headache. I need a break.” She’s speaking out of breath with a frustrated tone that tells me she is at her wits end.

I nod, “okay, Anna, calm down. I got him.”

I look over my shoulder to Johnathon. “Have a goodnight, I have to get him inside and to bed.”

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