Authors: Carl Weber

Lookin' For Luv (13 page)

BOOK: Lookin' For Luv

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Kevin’s hands dropped to his sides. His body language expressed his hurt. Alicia felt terribly guilty but kept the promise she made to herself.

“I’ll know when the time is right, Kevin. I promised myself a long time ago I wouldn’t sleep with another man until I knew I was emotionally ready.”

“So are you planning on filling me in when that time .comes? Just how long do you think it will be for this thing to be right?”

Suddenly he realized how angry he had become and knew he better cool out. She had already had enough bad experiences with angry brothers. He didn’t want to blow this. He laughed, trying to lighten the mood.

“A man can take only so many cold showers, you know”

“I’m sorry, Kevin.” She looked at him, her eyes filled with sincerity.

“I know, baby, and you just take all the time you need. I’ll be here when you’re ready for me” Kevin took Alicia into his arms for a final embrace before she went upstairs.

“Alicia?”

Yes, Kevin.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.” Alicia believed him, and it made her feel safe.

ANTOINE AND KEISHA

Antoine and Shawna stood arguing in front of the two-family house where she lived. They’d been carrying on since they’d left the restaurant, and Antoine was getting fed up.

“I’m not going to say this again, Shawna. I want you to quit that fucking job at the Men’s Club.” The frustration showed on Antoine’s face as the rare curse slipped through his lips.

“Look, Antoine, I’m not quitting my job,” Shawna replied, angry. “And another thing, don’t curse at me. I’m not that uneducated hussy Keisha that follows you around.”

“I didn’t curse. And why are you bringing her into this anyway?”

“Yes, you did curse. And I’m bringing her into it ’cause I don’t like her, that’s why. I don’t like any woman who’s trying to take my man. Matter of fact, I think you should move out of that apartment!” Shawna’s voice was getting louder as they spoke.

“I’m not moving out of my apartment,” Antoine said firmly. “I pay only five hundred dollars a month. Do you know how cheap that apartment is for a two-bedroom?”

“I really don’t care, Antoine. If I have to quit my job, you’re gonna move!” Porch lights came on as Shawna’s volume increased.

“Some of us are trying to sleep!” a voice reminded them.

Shawna turned to see her sixty-five-year-old landlord standing in his doorway.

“Sorry, Mr. Good,” she apologized sheepishly.

“I think it’s about time you two took this inside, don’t you?”

“Antoine, I have to get ready for work. Please don’t be mad at me. I promise I’ll call you during my break.” She tried to kiss him, but he turned his head so her lips met his cheek.

“I’m not going to be home during your break. I’m going over to Benny’s Bar to have a drink”

“Isn’t that where Keisha hangs out? Please don’t go over there, Antoine,” she pleaded.

“Look, you don’t have anything to worry about. I’m just gonna have a drink or two to relax. You never know. Maybe I’ll run into some of the fellas.”

He could tell she was jealous by the look on her face. Shawna was truly paranoid when it came to Keisha. He had no intention of cheating on her. He just hoped that now she’d understand how he felt when she went to work at the Men’s Club every night.

The two of them spent a few more minutes trying to smooth things out, until Antoine felt comfortable enough to part. Then he caught a cab home, spending most of the ride brooding over his relationship. He was honestly looking forward to a nice stiff drink. After paying the cabdriver, Antoine walked directly to Benny’s. Once inside, he took off his coat and searched the bar for some familiar faces. Seeing no one he recognized, he strolled over to the bar to order a drink.

“How you doing, Benny? Can I have a glass of your best brandy?”

“Sure, Antoine. I haven’t seen you around in a while,” the bartender replied. “Life got you down?” He handed Antoine his drink.

“Yeah, woman problems, Benny. You ever have a relationship with a woman who’s never around?” Antoine took a sip before he continued. “My girlfriend’s always working, and when she’s not working, she’s sleeping, ’cause she’s too damn tired from work.”

“I feel for you, brother. What’s your girl do anyway?” Benny handed a drink to another customer, then turned back to Antoine.

“Well, she actually has two jobs. She works in a bookstore during the day. But at night she works in East Elmhurst. You ever heard of the Men’s Club?”

“Yeah, I suppose I’ve been there once or twice.” Benny chuckled.

“Well, she works there at night as a makeup artist.”

“A makeup artist, huh? Now, ain’t that original!” Benny laughed, turning to another bartender. “Hey, Jake, you ever heard of a makeup artist at the Men’s Club?”

“Hell no! And I tended bar there for years,” Jake shouted from the other end of the bar. “What they need makeup for? Ain’t nobody looking at their faces.”

Antoine gave Benny and Jake a fake smile after that crack and walked back to his table. Although he was a little angry about Jake’s comment, he realized he shouldn’t be upset. He’d thought the same thing himself when Shawna first told him she did makeup at the club. In fact, Tyrone had made it a part of his daily comic routine at work. Antoine was reminded daily that nobody seemed to believe the girls at the Men’s Club had their faces done by an expert.

As he sat at his table, Antoine had a crazy idea. Maybe he should just go find out for himself what she was really doing there. He bit his lip and smirked, imagining her surprise when he walked in. Taking a long swig of his brandy, Antoine envisioned the confrontation they would have.

But the more he thought about it, the more he decided it really wasn’t such a brilliant idea. His grandmother had always told him, be careful what you look for, ’cause you just might find it. His rational self had returned, and he decided he could wait until the time was right to work things out with Shawna. They had been dating for only a few months. There was always the possibility that she was telling him the truth. And even if she wasn’t, he hoped that when she was comfortable enough with the relationship she would tell him everything he needed to know. Antoine wanted desperately to believe in the relationship.

After nursing his brandy and smoking his pipe for about ten more minutes, Antoine still wasn’t feeling relaxed. He stood to walk over to the bar for another drink and was surprised to see Benny standing before him, drink in hand.

“Thanks, Benny. That’s some service you provide here.”

“This one’s compliments of the lady at the bar.” Benny pointed in the direction of the bar.

Antoine didn’t remember seeing any ladies at the bar. Curiously he adjusted his glasses to see through the smoke-filled room. As his eyes began to focus, he saw Keisha. She was wearing a skintight red dress that revealed all of her ample cleavage.

“Here, Benny, send it back to her,” Antoine told the bartender seriously.

“The lady wants to know if she can offer you an apology.” Benny refused to take the drink out of Antoine’s hand. “If I were you, Antoine, I’d stop worrying about that chick at the Men’s Club and start thinking of a few ways Big Red over there can apologize. If you know what I mean.” He winked at Antoine.

“What the hell. I wasn’t going to be able to relax anyway,” he said, gesturing for Keisha to walk over. “Besides, I have a few things I want to say to Ms. Keisha myself.”

Keisha approached Antoine nervously. She left her usual attitude behind and was genuinely prepared to apologize. Antoine sensed the change in her body language and was confused, to say the least. He was prepared for another confrontation when he invited her over to the table.

“Hi, Antoine, it’s been a long time since we spoke. I was hoping we could bury the hatchet. I really hate it when you walk away every time I try to talk to you,” she said timidly.

Antoine figured Keisha was just putting on an act, so he ignored the sweetness in her voice and snapped at her.

“Yeah, well, I’ve been pretty busy with my new girlfriend, Shawna. Things are working out pretty well. No thanks to you.” He rolled his eyes at her.

“I know, I know. That’s what I wanted to apologize about.” Keisha took a step closer and had trouble looking Antoine in the eye. “Do you mind if I sit down?”

Antoine pulled out a chair. “Keisha, why the hell did you tell Shawna I was your boyfriend?”

“I was jealous,” she admitted, still avoiding eye contact. “I been trying to get you to go out with me for three years. You always said you were too busy. But you made time for her, Antoine. You’re always making time for her, and that really hurt me. How come you couldn’t make time for me?”

Antoine was blunt. He was not in the mood to be sympathetic. “I don’t know, Keisha, but I really don’t think you’re my type. I’m really a pretty low-key guy, and you’re a very vocal woman. I don’t think I could date a gossip.”

Keisha leaned forward in her chair and looked Antoine in the eye for the first time.

“I’m a businesswoman, Antoine. Part of running a successful beauty shop is being the local gossip. What do you think keeps all those girls coming back every week? Now, you’re a smart guy. I would think you’d be able understand that.”

“Hmm, I never thought of it that way.” His frown softened just a bit.

“Well, it’s a fact in my business. But when it comes to my personal life, I’m very discreet. And as far as being your type, that really hurts. One of the things I always admired about you was that you were honest. If you didn’t want to go out with me, you should have just said so. It’s not as if I’m the kind of person who would fly off the handle.”

“Oh, you’re not that kind of person, huh? Is that why I have fifteen stitches in my head from your hair dryer?” He rubbed the spot where she had cut his head.

“Listen. I’m not normally that crazy, but my cousin LaSondra is always doin’ something stupid, and she just set me off that day. I worked on that woman’s braids for six hours and
personally
went to Brooklyn to get the hair she wanted. Well, that bitch had the nerve to try to pay me in food stamps. Honey, I’m sorry, but I tried to shove that hair dryer straight up her ass.”

Keisha’s language made Antoine shake his head disapprovingly. “That still doesn’t explain why you went off on me. I was trying to help you. Mrs. Dinkins in Three B was calling the police. But the next thing I know, you’re on top of me, banging me in the head with that hair dryer.”

“Antoine, when you came running up behind me, I thought you were LaSondra’s man, Jeffrey, coming to beat me up. By the time I realized it was you, you were already - knocked out cold.” She couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

“Well, you sure can be dangerous.” Antoine lightened up, rubbing his head as he laughed.

“Look, I just wanted to say I was sorry. I know your girlfriend’s probably on her way, and I don’t want to cause you any more problems.” Her voice was kind as she stood to leave the table.

“Thanks, Keisha. I appreciate that, but Shawna’s not coming over tonight.” Keisha’s apology had begun to change Antoine’s opinion of her. He didn’t really want to be alone and thought Keisha deserved a little kindness. “Listen, why don’t I buy you a drink? It took a lot of courage to apologize like you did.”

“Sure, I’d really like that.” She smiled as she sat back down and moved her chair a few inches closer to Antoine’s.

Time passed quickly as Keisha and Antoine enjoyed each other’s company. Antoine was grateful for the chance to laugh, considering the mood he was in when he first arrived at Benny’s. Now he was feeling relaxed as Benny approached the table.

“I’m getting ready to close in ten minutes. If you two would like one more round, now’s the time to ask.”

Keisha answered for both of them. “No thanks, Benny. I think we’re getting ready to leave.” Then she gathered the courage gained from a few drinks. “You know, Antoine, you should come back to my place for a nightcap.”

During the course of their two hours together, Antoine had consumed several drinks and was not concerned with good judgment. He had been too busy admiring Keisha’s cleavage. Although he still considered himself Shawna’s man, his drunken state had weakened his defenses considerably.

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” he slurred, standing to help with her coat. They left Benny’s arm in arm, helping each other stumble to the door.

Walking out into the frigid night air, Keisha leaned against Antoine, telling him they could keep each other warm. Antoine, hunched over against the wind, wrapped his arm around her as they walked toward the apartment building.

As she rummaged through her purse to find her keys, Keisha heard a horn from the street behind her. Turning around, she saw Shawna rolling down her car window.

“Antoine! Antoine! Over here, baby!”

Keisha couldn’t believe her bad luck but followed Antoine to the car nonetheless.

BOOK: Lookin' For Luv

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