THE LYIN’ KING (5 page)

"48 inch by 38inch." Arsen replied finishing my thoughts.

I look over at him with his arms crossed, as if he were admiring my happiness. "This is amazing Arsen! Can I paint on this?” asking permission as if I was a school aged girl in art class.

"Of course you can! This is all for you!"

I look over at the Asian lady who was still standing there smiling. Reaching out, she handed me one of the cheese trays. Arsen walked over to sit at the other easel.

"I have to be honest," he said "I’m no artist." I smiled looking down at the colors that were already on the color tray. "It’s ok, it will still be beautiful."

Looking around, I admired how beautiful and peaceful this all was. The air was a bit cool and the sun was still peeking out through the clouds. Typical Georgia weather. This has to be the sweetest, most romantic setting I’ve ever been in. Arsen began to chuckle.

"These colors are so.....so normal." he said looking down at the artist trays.

"That’s because you have to mix the colors to make other colors." I explained. "You know like how it was in art class at school?" I stood up and placed my color tray on the stool, to demonstrate. "Look, yellow and red makes orange." I said, guiding his hand with the brush, mixing the colors on the tray.

"Do I have to get another brush for each color?" he asked.

"No, no no." I covered my mouth as I giggled. "Usually I don't mix the color until I'm ready for it. And when I’m done I just dip the brush and mix another color if I need to." I explained. "Here, I’ll show you on my painting."

I sat back down, pulling off my jacket and laid on the ground behind me. Taking in a deep breath as to absorb the positive energy around me, I looked at the space in between the two easels. There was a perfect view of the sun and the skyline of the trees. I began to paint, humming in between each stroke of my brush. The brush just danced across the canvas. I had no control, just freedom. I could feel Arsen watching me, which gave me even more confidence. The peace that I get from creating is so indescribable. I can feel the energy flowing through my body onto the canvas with every lift of my hand. Arsen stood up walking over to the picnic blanket to converse with the Asian lady. After speaking briefly, she began to walk away, but not before sending me a wave with the smile she kept the entire time we had been there. I gave her a nod and politely waved back with the paint brush. Arsen walks over to me. "Would you like to take a break? I got us some breakfast."

"Yeah sure, I’ll be over there in a second." He turned around heading back towards the blanket as I stood up, placing the paint tray and brush down on the seat of the stool. I began to brush my hands together while walking toward Arsen. “Have a seat," he said with his hand stretched towards the blanket. I sat down, he followed. Opening the basket he began to take out a fruit salad, yogurt, bagels and cream cheese. Oddly enough, I’m thinking there would be fish, grits and cheese eggs in the basket. Although, I couldn't imagine it being in the basket that long and being warm. I like bagels. He had my favorite kind, cinnamon and raisins.

"This is nice. I never imagined having a morning like this." I said with a smile.

He began spreading the cream cheese on a bagel. "You deserve many mornings like this, and so much more. I'm surprised no one has ever done anything like this for you?"

"No. The men I've picked haven't exactly been the romantic or thoughtful type." I replied. "Well, I’m glad you didn't pick me, I picked you." I began to smile, this time without covering my mouth. "Sage?" he says handing me the bagel he just prepared.

"I want to see that smile every day for the rest of my life."

I looked at him, I believed him. For the first time in my life I didn't question someone's intentions for me. I felt a chill run through every fiber of my being; staring at him in those sad hazel eyes. I believed him. Just then, a few rain drops began to fall. As moments passed the rain drops got heavier. I began to scream.

"Oh my goodness! Everything's getting wet!!!" As I was panicking, Arsen stood up grabbing my hand and pulling me out into the open grass.

"It's okay! Sage!"

The rain began pouring harder as we stood there. It was warm, as the drops hit my face with a slight breeze of the wind. I could see people running around us trying to find shelter. We just stood there, with his arms holding onto my waist, staring at each other. "It’s okay! Sometimes in life you just have to dance in the rain." he said. "It’s okay."

I was speechless. Everything about this moment was from a fairy tale; from the way that he held me, to the perfect sound of the rain falling. I could feel his lips getting closer to mine. I began to close my eyes and allowed our lips to meet. Everything in that moment was perfect, even in the rain.

"Tanya, I had a good time. Thanks for asking." I politely responded, as I put my headphones back in and turned on the vacuum cleaner. Maybe she will get the hint, I giggled to myself. Nosey people. Pandora was making a sista feel real good tonight. Playing all the right songs that reminded me in some way of how Arsen makes me feel.

I vibe my way through cleaning one office, gather my cleaning supplies to go to the next. I couldn't stop thinking about that date and Arsen’s soft lips. I would love to feel his lips all ov....My phone began to vibrate interrupting my song and my thoughts. Shelly walks in the office.

"Ohhhh, who is that calling with a SILK ringtone?" she laughed. I smiled and held up one finger as I answered the phone.

"Hey Ace! Why are you still up?" I asked, not that I cared. I'm glad he chose to call me at two in the morning.

"I was thinking about you. I hate that you have to work night shifts like this. You should be home." he said, almost as if he had been thinking about this all night. He sounded real worried.

"Awww, Arsen you sound like you care!" I said jokingly.

"I do care love. I do."

"I'm a big girl. Besides sometimes you have to sacrifice until you get to where you need to be, right?"

"No, you shouldn't be sacrificing anything." he said quietly. "Listen, I know you're working so I don't want to keep you too long. You know Valentine's Day is this Friday and I wanted to make sure you didn't have any plans."

"Well I don't have any plans, but wait a minute, are you asking me to be your Valentine's Mr. Robinson?" He started laughing. "No, I'm asking you to be mine?" There was a brief pause. I didn't know how to take that. Like, was he serious? No, of course not. He couldn't be, right? "Yes Sage." he said, interrupting my thoughts again as if he knew that I was overthinking that statement. "Yes, would you be my Valentine?"

"Yes!!!!!" I shouted as if he just asked me to marry him. "Yes, Yes, Yes!!!"He began laughing again.

"Ok then, I'll start planning. Goodnight love"

"Goodnight, King." I could tell he was smiling. I was too.

"Girl, y’all sound like y’all a couple!" Shelly exclaimed. I almost forgot that she was standing there.

"Oh, no! He's just really sweet and thoughtful, you know?"

"Ummmm hmmm, yeah I know! I'm happy for you though Sage. You can't be afraid to -love someone again because of what you been through."

"Crazy! Who said anything about love?" I replied sarcastically. She looks me up and down with a side smirk on her face, turns to walk out the door and says,

"Your face. It's written all over your face child!"

I rest my cheek in the palms of my hands, as if I was going to feel what was written there. I smiled and shook my head. Could it be? I thought to myself. Could this be how it feels to fall in love?

I finished out the rest of my shift in such a good mood. I head to the break room to clock out. My girl Shelly was there, and so was Tanya.

“Sage, I'm going to catch some breakfast you want some?”

No girl, I'm good. I have to pick Thias up from daycare and take him to school.”

“Damn! I keep forgetting! I wonder if I would be this thoughtless still when I have children.” she said jokingly.

“Probably so!” I responded laughing. “I'm just kidding. It changes when you become a mother. It's almost like instinct. You just don't want to do the things you used to.” I explained thinking back on how Thias has changed me as a person.

“Girl bye! With all that! You think I’d let having kids stop me from doing me?” exclaimed Tanya. Shelly and I both looked at each other, and almost in perfect harmony we replied

“Of course YOU wouldn't Tanya.” This girl is an absolute mess. Five kids and four baby daddies? Something should have stopped her from doing everybody else. I laughed to myself; but let me not be judgmental. She clearly has other issues. I grabbed my coat from the locker room, and headed out the door to the elevator.

“I’ll see you Sunday night Shelly!”

“No you won't!!! I won't be back until Monday night! Hahaha!!”

“Oh, I see you girl. I'm about to enjoy these next three days off myself!” I laughed stepping onto the elevator.

I stood there pushing the button to the ground floor feeling a bit tired; but happy that I'm going to be able to rest for the next three days. I wonder what Arsen is planning for Valentine's Day. I don't think anything can top our first date. Even if it wasn’t anything extravagant, I would still want to just be in his presence. What do you get a man for Valentine’s Day?  I haven't had a Valentine in years. I’m not even sure if I'll have the extra money to get him anything. I can't come empty handed. I wonder if it would be lame of me to paint him a picture. I have to find something to do; I only have 2 days to plan really. The elevator stops and the doors open. I walked towards the door past corporate professionals that were coming into work. Some looking as though they wanted to turn around and walk out the building with me. I got to thinking how I don't want to work for someone else for the rest of my life. How great it would be to wake up and do something that I love and still be able to provide for Thias with no worries. I opened the double doors headed outside and the warmness of the morning sun hit my face. The air was a little cool, but it was light and flowing. I closed my eyes burying my hands down in the pockets of my coat, taking in a deep breath. In that instance, I could literally feel the weight of the world lifting off my shoulders and the universe saying to me; it was all going to be alright. Just then, my phone rang….Silk. That was the ringtone I had chosen for him, “More” was the song; only after that first date of course.

              “Hello?”

“What are you thinking about?” he said.

“Huh? Nothing. What you mean?” I said extremely confused.

“Your eyes were closed.” he replied. How did he? I looked toward the street and there it was, that red car; waiting on me as if it were a horse and chariot.

“Oh I see, you’ve come to give me a ride?”

“Well what kind of man would I be if I allowed my woman and son to walk in this weather?”

“Your woman? And son?” I asked.

“Wishful thinking, Sage. God said claim it, right?”

“That he did, Arsen.” I replied hanging up the phone and walking toward the car. He leans over to open the door. I sit down and reach to give him a hug. “Thank you. I really appreciate this.” He smiled and began driving.

“I know you might be a little tired today, so I wanted to take little man to school. Maybe after you get some rest and Thias gets out of school, we can all go to Skyzone this evening. I think he would like to jump around in there for a while. What you think?” Look at him, being so thoughtful towards my child too. He can't be real. Most men would meet a woman and just focus on getting in her pants, not even thinking of her child. He’s so different; it's something about him. “Yes, Thias would love that! I would like to surprise him though. We haven't done anything like that in a while.”

We pull up to Thias daycare and I get out to get him. He didn't have his school clothes on as usual. So I rushed him to the bathroom to change his clothes.

“Mommy, I don't like sleeping on that mat. It makes my neck hurt when I wake up.” he complained.

“Ok sweetie. I will ask your teacher to let you sleep on two mats instead of one. It should make a difference, ok?”

“Ok mama.”

I zipped up his jacket and we head outside. Thias notices Arsen’s car and he lit up! He dropped my hand and ran towards the car where Arsen stepped out to open the back door. They shook hands and Arsen helped him into the car putting his seatbelt on. “You ready for school little man?”

“Not really! My back hurts! And I didn't sleep good last night.” He complained again. Arsen and I get into the front seat. “Well, why is that?” he asked.

Before Thias could continue on with his tangent I interrupted, “Those mats that they sleep on at daycare aren't really meant for a full night's sleep, you know?”

“Well is he allowed to bring his own mat?”

“I'm pretty sure he is. I've looked into it before but they were way out of my budget.” I replied trying to hide the embarrassment of not being able to get my son everything he needs.

“Oh ok.”

Thias and Arsen continue on with their conversation of the all the black inventors that didn't get their fair share of recognition. Thias’s class is discussing black history month. We pull into the school's parking lot. We made it there early since we didn't have to take the bus. The administrator was out opening the doors for children being dropped off. Arsen pulls up to the door, and the teacher opens Thias door.

“See you later Pumpkin. Have a good day baby.”

“See you this afternoon little man!”

“Cool! You’re picking me up Arsen?!” Thias exclaimed with excitement. Not even acknowledging the fact that I had said goodbye.

“Yes I'll be here!”

“Yes!!!!!” Thias shouts with a fist pump.

“See you later mama!!!”

I smiled as I watched him run into the school doors toward the cafeteria. We continue towards the stop sign. I only live 15 minutes from Thias’s school, but I was still debating on whether or not I should let him take me all the way home. At this point, I think it's safe to say that I trust him. Ah, what the hell. I continued to give him directions to my apartment.

“So you are finally going to let me take you home, huh?” I laughed at him.

“Yes I believe I am. I think I can safely rule out you being a serial killer at this point.” We both laughed. “I'm glad I can make you laugh!”

“Yeah, you do. You actually have a pretty cool sense of humor.”

“Ummm hmmm, I know. Turn right on the next street my apartment building is on the left.” He makes the turn and pulls up in front of my apartment building. I began looking down at my hands, fiddling with my keys.

“So um, again I really appreciate you picking us up this morning. I am definitely tired.”

“No problem, love. Gets some rest, I'll see you this afternoon, ok?” he assures me as he leans in kissing my forehead. Those lips, I would love to see what they feel like everywhere else.

“I'll be at work if you need me.”

“Ok Arsen, thank you.”

He watched me open my door before he pulled off.  I watched him drive away before actually going inside. I threw my keys on the counter and headed to the shower. That water felt so good. I was feeling like Thias myself.  I dried off and walked into my room with the towel around me. Putting my phone on the charger and placing it on the nightstand, I sat down on the bed and realized that no one was here but me. I didn't bother looking for clothes. I slid under the comforter and before I knew it my eyes grew heavy, until I could no longer fight it.

“Give me some more, more, more…...” The phone was ringing. I could vaguely hear that verse playing over and over. At first I thought I was dreaming. I just fell asleep it seemed. It couldn't possibly be time to go get Thias now. I hear the song again, this time much louder than the first as I was coming out of my slumber. I grabbed the phone snatching it off the nightstand.

“Hello?”

“Hey love, how’d you sleep?”

“I don't know, I was still sleeping. What time is it?”

“It's 2 O’clock. I was on my way to come get you. Thias gets out of school at 2:45 right?” “Oh yeah he does. Ok I'm getting up now. Thanks for waking me up.”

“It’s ok. I’ll be there in 20 minutes ok?”

“Sure, I’ll be ready.
”
　

I jumped out of bed, grabbing my jeans and a tee shirt. Nothing too spectacular, since we’ll be jumping around all evening. Thias is going to love this. After brushing my teeth and rinsing my face, I began to put on my clothes. There was a knock at the door.
“It seems like he is always on time.”
I joked to myself. Walking down the hallway I attempt to put each sock on between strides. Opening the door, I see Arsen standing there with a Walmart bag.

“Come in, I just have to get my shoes and my jacket.” He smiles walking past me, placing the bag on my dining room table. “What’s that?” I asked.

“It’s for Thias.” he replied. I walk over to the table to be nosey. He lifts a box and turned it around for me to read it. It was a sleeping mat; one with way more cushion than the ones they sleep on at daycare. “Oh wow, you got this for him? I mean, thank you Arsen. You didn't have to do that. How much do I owe you?” I asked, hoping he wouldn't give me a price, being as though I had absolutely no money on me.