Page 9 of Broken By It

The doorbell rings and I smile to my sister as she spritzes my hair with holding spray and I give my makeup a mist of setting solution.

“He’s on time,” she mutters. “That is an improvement over the biker boy.”

“Oh my God, Mariella, stop it.” We both laugh. “He was late because dad and a few of his brothers literally ran him down on his way here. They had their chat, and he came to the door just to say, ‘I’m sorry I’m late, but I can’t do this.’ And ran like he was afraid for his life!” This was a lesson in don’t date bikers of anytype. He rode a sport bike for crying out loud, but that didn’t give my dad any reason to think he was safe for me.

“I like dad’s way of doing things, chase them off but with respect to face you.” She states before leaving me at the vanity and going to let my date in.

“Hello,” she greets as I exit my room.

At my front door stands Johnathon wearing a pair of dress slacks, a button up shirt, and a Mister Rogers sweater. His hair is parted to the side, tamed by gel, with his usual round framed glasses over his hazel eyes, and a smile bright taking me in. I grin in return making my way over as he extends his hand holding a small bouquet of flowers.

“Johnathon, meet my sister, Mariella.” I introduce stepping up and taking the flowers, “these are beautiful.”

“Not as beautiful as you, Maritza,” he states as my sister groans.

“So original this one,” she chastises. “You two have fun,” she tells me with a sarcastic tone.

“Stop,” I whisper, “this matters.”

She gives me a fake smile as I move in to give Johnathon a side hug. He presses his lips to my temple. He smells nice at least. I’m not sure how I feel about this sweater thing he has going on. I’m no fashionista but I’m not sure this is a trend that needs to return.

I pass the flowers on to my sister, “put those in water please. We’re headed out. I’ll keep you posted on where I’m at and when I’ll be back.”

“I’ll track your phone; don’t you worry about that.” She reminds me but looks at Johnathon. “Can’t be too safe these days.”

I want to laugh. I don’t. She’s not going to track my phone; she’s going to track my necklace. The little locket serves a dual purpose. Not only does it hold a picture of my sister, brother,and I from my childhood, but it contains a chip where my sister, the computer genius, can track me. Safety is big to her and knowing what she went through, I get it, and I won’t ever put her in a situation to worry about me if I can help it.

Johnathon takes me by the hand, leading me from my condo to the parking lot.

“Maritza,” I hear my name and look to see Dia coming my way.

“Hey Dia, how ya doing?” I greet her as she gives me a quick side hug.

“Long day at work. I’m sure Skye is dying to go out now. I was wondering if you’d be joining Mariella and I for facials tonight.” She smiles sweetly at Johnathon, “but I guess I have my answer.”

“I don’t know I might be home before y’all finish. I have work tomorrow so can’t have too late of a night,” I tell her honestly and feel Johnathon tense beside me. “This is Johnathon, we’re headed out for dinner.” I look to my date, “this is Dia, she’s my sister’s best friend, but one of my closest friends too. I guess you could say we have joint custody of her.”

It might hurt his feelings, but it’s the truth. I’ll be home early and not just because I have to work tomorrow. I don’t have sex on the first date. I don’t even go back to a dude’s house on the first date. One thing I’ve learned between my own relationships and what happened to my sister, don’t set myself up for a situation that can get out of hand. Always maintain my safety and stay in places where I have the advantage. A new location, such as someone else’s home, adds an additional danger to a potentially unsafe situation.

“Alright, you two kids have fun. Nice to meet you, Johnathon,” she tells him extending her hand in greeting.

“Pleasure is all mine, Dia.” Johnathon tells her before she walks away. “She seems sweet,” he tells me guiding me along the way to his car.

“They broke the mold when Dia Crews was born. She’s the best. Everyone loves her.”

“You have a lot of people who care about you,” he states as we approach a small sedan. He opens the champagne-colored door, and I slide in.

“I’m very lucky for my family, Dia included.”

He doesn’t reply as he rounds the small car and gets in the driver’s seat. He starts the car, and we pull away. The silence is uncomfortable for me, but he seems fine with it. A few minutes pass and I can’t help but want there to be something said.

“Where are we going for dinner?”

“I thought we could go to the new ice-cream parlor.”

For dinner? I think but don’t ask. “Okay, sounds good. Who doesn’t love ice-cream?” I aim to ease this weirdness between us.

“Someone who is dairy free,” he responds dryly.

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