Page 21 of Terrez and Shalene
“Can I play some music?” she asked when we were settled into my truck.
“Yes, ma’am.”
I tapped the screen of my radio and followed the prompts to connect her Bluetooth. I listened to my fair share of music, most of it being rap, but the shit Shalene was playing wasn’t bad at all. The name of the artist was one I’d never heard of before, but she could really sing. I had nothing against R&B, but I couldn’t see myself sitting around listening to it all day. Resting my hand on Shalene’s thigh while I drove through the city had me feeling complete. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt good on the inside. When I pulled into the parking lot of the steakhouse, I pulled to the front and patiently waited for the valet attendant.
After helping Shalene out of the truck, we headed inside. The host led us right to our booth located in the middle of the restaurant.
“Your server will be with you all shortly,” she said before walking back up front.
“I wanted to take you somewhere more upscale for our first date, but I want you to relax tonight.”
“This is perfect, Terrez. I’ve never spent much time on this side of town, so it’s nice to experience things that are close to home,” she expressed.
“How are you adjusting to the move? How does it feel being in a new space?”
“I love it. It’s crazy because I thought moving from my home with Brevin would destroy me, but it’s not bad. I love coming home from work knowing he’s not there to disrespect me or ruin my day. It’s peaceful. Hell, I wish I would’ve moved out sooner.”
“I feel that. I’m glad you’re finding peace. There’s no way you can be a good mother if you’re not okay mentally.”
“Absolutely. Growing up, my mom was always present. She was patient and explained things to me. That’s the type of mother I pray I am to Amayah. I never want my daughter or any of my children to feel like they have to heal from me when they grow up.”
“That shit is all too common these days. I know a lot of people that had to heal from their parents when they grew up. It’s a heavy spirit that lingers over the Black community. All that shit stems from systemic racism. It may not seem like it correlates, but mental health and poverty go hand in hand,” I replied.
“I can see that. That’s why I thank God for the life he gave me. I’m able to raise my daughter in communities that have opportunity. I don’t take it for granted.”
The waiter approached the table with two glasses of ice water and a small basket of fresh bread. As she set everything on the table, she informed us of her name and asked if we’d eaten here before. I’d come here countless times, so I knew what I wanted to order. After writing down our drink and appetizer orders, she assured us everything would be out shortly.
“What do you like to do for fun? You haven’t told me any hobbies you have,” Shalene said as she took a sip of water.
“Shit, I haven’t had a hobby in a minute. I can’t tell you the last time I did some shit for fun. When I was a teenager, one of my homeboy’s moms used to take us to theme parks. Being on rollercoasters was somethin’ I fucked with heavy. I even liked to play them rigged ass games they have. I plan on traveling when I get all my business handled. I’ve been to a few of the neighboringstates and Miami and Chicago a few times, but never out of the country.”
“I’ve been out of the country a few times, but there’s still a lot of places I’d like to see.”
As the conversation flowed, our drinks came out and we ordered dinner. Several topics came and went as we enjoyed our meal. Every time I talked to Shalene, she pulled me into a space I felt comfortable in. In the world we lived in, there weren’t many Shalenes walking around. I wouldn’t lie and say I’d be okay with being her friend if our relationship didn’t go anywhere, but I’d always look out for her. She was genuinely a good person. A little over an hour had gone by when we were done eating and all I could think about was laying my ass in the bed.
The drive back home was more entertaining than the way here. We talked about what we knew about Diamond Falls. It always amazed me how people could grow up in the same city and have completely different experiences. As if my time with Shalene was too good to be true, Amber’s name popped up on the radio with an incoming call. The laughter Shalene was once letting out ceased when she looked at the screen. Hitting the red icon to ignore the call, I looked over at Shalene who I figured would have an attitude.
“Don’t overthink that,” I stated as I stopped at a red light.
“There’s nothing for me to overthink. You’re not my man so I can’t be mad.”
“Shalene, don’t do that, baby. I already told you what it was with Amber. I ain’t talked to that woman since the night I was with her at the grocery store. This is the first time she’s reached out and I damn sure ain’t hit her up.”
“So why is she calling you now and why is she able to get to you?”
“You’re right. I’ll block her number as soon as I park.”
“You don’t have to do all that. If you wanted to block her, you would’ve already done it.”
Truthfully, I did plan to block Amber’s number, but she was so irrelevant that I hadn’t remembered to do it. Amber would never get to see this dick again, especially after she disrespected Shalene. There was no need for me to tell Shalene all of that, but I wanted her to trust what I was saying. Even in the past, Amber only called when she wanted something, and it was reciprocated from my end.
“Thank you for dinner. I really appreciate it. You have a blessed night,” she said as she pulled the lever to get out of the truck.
I was barely parked when she hopped out and all I could do was laugh. Not so much at being mad, but because she thought getting rid of me would be that easy. I thought she would’ve caught on to the type of man I was, but I guess it hadn’t clicked yet. After swiftly blocking Amber’s number, I got out of the truck and walked inside the building. Since Shalene wasn’t at the elevators, I knew she had more than likely just gotten on. That was cool though. I’d already told myself if she didn’t let me in her place willingly, I’d make a call to get the master key and I didn’t give a fuck how mad she was about it. One thing I knew was that we’d be ending our night in the same bed. By the time I made it to her apartment, I could hear her on the other side walking around.
“Do you need something?” she asked as she pulled the door open. I was sure she got notified I was here since I hadn’t had a chance to ring the bell or knock yet.
“Let me talk to you.”
